VIDEO: 'We have to front up against Ospreys' says Bulls lock
VIDEO: The Bulls can expect more of the same physical onslaught Ospreys displayed in their triumph over the Stormers last weekend, reckons lock Janko Swanepoel.
Ospreys, coming off that famous 27-21 bonus point victory in Cape Town, will be hoping to do the same on Saturday, this time against the Bulls – a team known for their strong forwards come scrum- and maul time.
It was a famous and thoroughly deserved win against the Stormers built upon mighty scrummaging, heroic defence, and taking their chances in attack.
For the Welsh side that victory will go down as one of the finest results in the Welsh region’s 20-year history, given the Stormers have been URC finalists for the past two years and considering how hard they are to beat in their own back yard.
The Ospreys became only the third team – after the Lions and Munster – to record a victory in Cape Town, while it was just the second Welsh win in South Africa in the three seasons of the expanded 16-team competition.
It’s also a result that gave their play-off hopes a huge boost, keeping them in seventh spot with four rounds of matches left to play.
Swanepoel reflected on that game and conceded just how well it was executed by Ospreys.
“We struggled to get a win against the Stormers, so I think going into the game this weekend we definitely cannot underestimate them.
“Their forwards are very direct, they play a very direct type of rugby. Our defence is going to be very important, as well as the mauling.
“I think their line-outs and the scrums are very good so I think our forwards need to prepare well for the scrums and the mauls. Set-pieces, try and dominate them in the set-pieces,” the 24-year-old lock said.
“We are seen as a team that is very physical with big forwards, so I think it will be to our advantage this weekend. Ons must bring it to them.”
The Bulls are known for the quality they produce in their factory of locks and Swanepoel is but one of the plethora of young up-and-coming locks.
Asked who played a big role in helping him hone his skills, Swanepoel said players and coaches alike all contribute.
“All of the locks, we are very close.
“Coaches play a big role, the likes of coach Russell Winter last season with coach Andries Bekker this season. Especially Andries Bekker who was very good in the line-outs and also played for the Springboks.
“They helped us as locks to improve, I will give them credit.
“You are never perfect as a rugby player. Defence-wise that is something I need to work on a bit more, especially getting off the ground, getting a good area on the defence, getting a nice set-up to align on my opposition, to get a good line speed from our defence.”
