VIDEO: Bulls ready to 'do a job' on the Lions
Travelling to Ellis Park is, for the most part, a trip of trepidation. And it has nothing to do with navigating the crime-ridden suburbs of Hillbrow, Berea, Troyeville and Yeoville to get to the stadium located in New Doornfontein.
It had more to do with the dangerous ‘animals’ lurking inside the iconic stadium.
The Bulls are aware that the Lions have not only grown some of their impressive manes, but their ‘claws, bite and agility’ make a trip to The Den as menacing as ever.
Seasoned Bulls back Sergeal Petersen is familiar with the challenge of a game at the inner-city venue.
Petersen, who helped the Stormers win the inaugural United Rugby Championship in 2022, spoke to the media ahead of the Round 10 clash between the Bulls and Lions this coming Saturday.
He is hoping to play a big part in the Bulls’ title charge this season – starting with Saturday’s Trans-Jukskei derby.
“It’s going to be a tough one,” he said of the 60-kilometre trip south on the N1.
“The Jukskei derby will always be a dogfight.
“We expect a lot of running rugby from the Lions and a tough encounter against our [Gauteng] neighbours.”
Petersen, 30, said they expect a big, physical game up front – despite the Lions’ obvious penchant for an expansive game.
The flyer, who played for South Africa ‘A’ against a touring England Saxons team in 2016, admitted that domestic derbies do have a brutal edge – with plenty of ‘heart’ and ‘passion’.
However, the Bulls have a ‘plan’ to penetrate the Lions’ well-respected defensive system – shaped by Springbok legend Jaque Fourie.
“We will play towards our strengths,” he said.
“This past weekend, against Stade Francais, we got nice ball on the edges.
“Hopefully on Saturday, we will get a few more [attacking] opportunities.”
(WATCH as seasoned Bulls outside back Sergeal Phillipe Petersen previews the URC Round 10 encounter with the Lions….)
The Bulls have lost just two of their 10 previous meetings with the Lions in the URC, 33-34 in Johannesburg in the Rainbow Cup in 2021 and 25-29 at Loftus Versfeld in March 2023.
However, the Lions have won their last four URC matches at Ellis Park since Munster beat them there last April.
Petersen said that while Ellis Park is a great stadium with an aura, he doubts the occasion would be ‘too big’ for the Bulls – who have an equally iconic home in Loftus Versfeld.
“We are used to playing at Ellis Park,” he said, adding: “Ellis Park is one of my favourite stadiums so I’m looking forward to it.
”We are going to Ellis Park to do a job and when we are on the field it is strictly business.
“It would be nice to have a few more Bulls supporters there.
“It is up to us to rock up and give our best performance.
“We have everything in place.”
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Go behind the scenes of both camps during the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa in 2021. Binge watch exclusively on RugbyPass TV now
