VIDEO: Bulls wary of 'rejuvenated' Trans-Jukskei neighbours

The Lions may be languishing outside the top 10 on the United Rugby Championship standings, but they are a team capable of a big upset on any given day.

That is why the Bulls are wary of their Trans-Jukskei rivals ahead of the Round 15 encounter at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Bulls backline coach Chris Rossouw said his team’s 19-23 loss to the Stormers in a Round 14 encounter at Loftus Versfeld was a ‘bitter pill to swallow’.

Despite the disappointment of not getting the desired result, Rossouw said that it was a great game.

Now they need a win to get some momentum heading towards the play-offs.

(Continue below …)

“I have to complement the players,” he said, adding: “Yesterday [Monday] and today [Tuesday] we had exceptionally good training sessions.

“We all know how important this game is,” he said of a Bulls team hovering perilously in sixth place.

Despite the Lions’ unproductive form against South African teams – their last win in a domestic encounter was against the Stormers in December 2021 – the Backline mentor described the Johannesburg-based outfit as an “exceptional” team.

“They have been under the pump for a long time.

“Whenever we play the Lions, we are aware of the importance of the match.

“For us, given where we are [on the standings], playing South African opposition is always additional motivation – understanding how important this game is in terms of points on the standings.

“It is easy to panic and say things, but players get confidence if you stick to the processes.”

He described the Lions as a “very dangerous” team that is capable of a very good game.

“On any given day they can beat any team,” he added.

“They are a team that doesn’t go away.

“They have developed an attitude, over time, to never give up.

“It is important to respect and understand that.”

@rugby365com