VIDEO: Bulls on high alert for 'desperate' Stormers
WATCH as Bulls utility back Willie le Roux speaks about the challenge the Stormers will bring to Pretoria and what his side needs to do to claim the season double over the Capetonians.
The Bulls enjoyed their first United Rugby Championship win in Cape Town over the Stormers a fortnight ago – and Le Roux believes both sides won’t need any extra motivation heading into the rematch.
“North-South – there’s no motivation needed for these games,” the double world champion said.
“It will be a sell-out at Loftus [Versfeld] with an unbelievable vibe and crowd, everyone is waiting for this game.
“For us, it’s about being mentally prepared, being there, staying in the moment and not getting too chaotic on the field, but just play simple Bulls rugby.
“You know the threats of the Stormers, how well they can attack and how hard their defence comes up.
“It will be a cracker and a big test for us as a team.”
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Le Roux said that the Stormers will be desperate to turn their season around following three successive losses in the URC, making them a dangerous outfit to play against.
“If they [Stormers] can beat us here at Loftus [Versveld] that can put them back on track [for the season] and they can go again.
“There’s definitely a lot of motivation and we know how it felt a week ago when we lost to the Sharks and how important it was the next week to get back to winning ways.
“So we know how desperate they will be, it will be a very tough game.”
When asked about the Stormers’ poor travelling record, Le Roux poured cold water suggesting that it doesn’t mean much in a North-South clash.
“When it’s a North-South derby, it doesn’t matter where you play – it’s going to be tough and hard.
“We would like to put on a good performance at Loftus in front of 55,000 people.
“It’s in our hands and our control and we’ll just control what we can so we’re looking forward to a big one on Saturday.”
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The 35-year-old identified key areas of his game at flyhalf against the Stormers in Cape Town which he can better himself in this weekend’s rematch.
“That was one of my first games in a long time at No.10,” Le Roux said.
“I think there’s a lot that I can learn and get better from.
He added: “For me, it would just be to control the game a bit better.
“We got a bit loose here and there and brought them back into the game [in Cape Town].
“I’d look to play in the right areas and that’s all in the No.10’s control to get his team in the right areas [of the field].
“From a game management point of view, that’s what I would definitely be working on.”
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