VIDEO: 'Derbies are much more personal'
VIDEO: Playing derbies in South Africa always brings out the crowds, and for the players, it’s much more personal.
Local fans have been treated to a plethora of local derbies in the United Rugby Championship in recent weeks and it has also been a discussion point by coaches.
Following their shock loss to the Sharks, the Bulls’ Director of Rugby Jake White tried to explain the unique scenario of playing four derbies in a row.
“We now have to play four derbies in four weeks, which no other top team has to do. For instance, Ulster doesn’t have to play Leinster, Munster, and Connacht, and then Leinster again over four weeks.
“Then, we might be on a five-week tour if we win our next Challenge Cup game. So, in one cycle, we’ve been nine weeks away, four weeks of derbies in a row, and then five weeks away.
“It’s one of those years that is totally different from any other year, and totally different to any other team.
“So, it’s not an excuse, but you have to work it out. You will ask me why I picked this guy and not that guy, and it’s because we are in a very different position from any other team.
“We all speak about derbies, and we got four in a month, and no other team is going through that.
“The Stormers have a week off now, the Sharks had a week off before playing us. You have to understand that our challenge is different.”
Asked if players also feel more pressure when facing local teams, Bulls fullback Devon Williams on Tuesday explained it didn’t add more pressure, but it is a lot tougher and more personal.
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“This weekend is the same as any derby. It’s going to be massive.
“For us playing four derbies in a row doesn’t do the body any favours.
“There is a lot of history behind us.
You’re not ready for this! 🤯
💥 Smash through. Run hard. Devon Williams leaving nothing out there 👊@Vodacom #URC | #BULvLIO pic.twitter.com/ZbE2Tm1N1f
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) February 22, 2025
“I don’t think there’s more pressure [from a players’ perspective], but it’s just another 80 minutes,” Williams explained.
“It’s just another game but derbies are always harder than playing overseas teams.
“We know each other and it’s guys playing together in the Springbok team.
“So everyone knows a little bit more about the opposition than the international teams.
“And it’s much more personal.
“Going into a derby game like this, both sides prep and if you had a bad game the previous week, you prep to change it into a positive.
“And they do the same. We look what they do and they look what we do.
“The mental game is something people always overlook. To bounce back [you have to] stay calm.”
