VIDEO: Every game now a 'must-win' for Bulls
VIDEO: With four games left, the Bulls are now in a must-win situation going into their United Rugby Championship encounter with Ospreys at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, says scrumhalf Zak Burger.
The Bulls dropped down to fourth on the table with 46 points, two points behind Munster (third) with the top two teams Glasgow Warriors on 53 points and log leaders Leinster (54 points).
“At this point in time we have four games left. We want to get as much points as possible in those four games and put the pressure on Munster, Glasgow and Leinster to hopefully drop points somewhere and catch up to them,” Burger told the media on Wednesday.
“We made it difficult for ourselves in losing at home this past weekend and especially in this URC, if you have a look in all the rounds, normally the home teams get the win.”
The No. 9 pointed out that away victories don’t often happen in the competition and the Bulls have made things difficult for themselves with their loss to Munster over the weekend.
“Away victories in the URC are very minimal so hopefully we can finish the last four games on a high and go into the quarterfinals with good momentum,” Burger said.
“At Loftus you want to start well, you want to put the visiting team under pressure as early soon as possible. The quicker and the better you start, the easier the game will be.
“Every game is a must-win at this stage to get home quarterfinals, semifinals, and hopefully finals if you get that far in the competition.
“Ospreys beat the Lions this season in the Challenge Cup at Ellis Park, and now they beat the Stormers so they are very good travelling team,” he said.
“That just shows what good mind space they are in. They are in that race for that top eight position as well – there are eleven teams that are currently very tight on the log.”
According to Burger the visiting Ospreys is a strong defensive outfit and they use the boot to create opportunities.
“They have a very good kicking game, and their defence is brilliant. They create opportunities from their defence and their kicking game. So hopefully we can neutralise that.”
Burger, who has been playing behind an in-form Embrose Papier for most of the season, says the scrumhalves at the Bulls all work closely together on the training pitch.
“In the squad all four scrumhalves train together.
“And if he (Papier] plays or I play, we have a look at the game, we talk about it and see where we can help the team. At the end of the day it’s a team sport and whoever plays out of the four, they have to help the team to get the result.
“Embrose has been magnificent this year, he has been in tremendous form and I am very happy for him.”
