Skipper Ruan Nortje says the Vodacom Bulls must be “switched on from minute one” to beat a Bok-powered Sharks outfit for a place in the URC final, reports DEVIN HERMANUS.
The Bulls and Sharks clash in an all-South African semi-final at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. Jake White’s charges dispatched Edinburgh in Pretoria last week to secure a last-four playoff berth, while the men from Durban won a thrilling penalty shootout over Munster at Kings Park to advance to their first URC semi.
Saturday’s winner on the Highveld will contest the decider next week, potentially in the Republic if defending champions Glasgow Warriors beat Irish giants Leinster in Dublin.
“Whenever we get into playoffs we try to always get ourselves in the headspace of Test-match level preparation,” said Nortje in a Bulls conference this week. “Last week we had the same mentality and this week again, it’s the same.
“It’s just a South African derby, it adds a bit more fuel and tension, and excitement. We must ensure we get our game plan ready and that we’re mentally ready.”
Nortje is aware of the challenge posed by a Sharks side buoyed by a dramatic victory in Durban. “The Sharks have proven themselves in the last few games. They’ll come with a lot of confidence that they’ve earned. It’s all about mentally being switched on from minute one.
“Sometimes, especially if you look at a team like Edinburgh, if you switch off one minute, get a yellow card, then the pressure compounds and you concede two, three tries and then you’re under massive pressure.
“This weekend is going to be very important for us to make sure we don’t get any of those 20- or 10-minute lapses in the game. It’s all going to be mental.”
The Sharks impressed with their scrum dominance against Munster, noted Nortje: “The Sharks definitely were brilliant scrum-wise last weekend. I think that’s a massive part of what brought them to the end of that game so I must give them credit for that, and for the whole front row.
“It’s definitely going to be a massive set-piece battle. We can only prepare as well as we can and make sure we’re ready when Saturday comes. We just have to be composed and make swift changes on the field; be ready for anything, and expect anything.”
Last season’s URC final defeat to Glasgow Warriors remains a motivating factor for the Bulls, though Nortje insists the focus is not on past results.
“Last season, definitely, will always be a disappointment [but] for us as a team it’s just not to overthink it, or think too much about last year. We just see this as another opportunity,” the 26-year-old said.
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“We are blessed to play in another semi-final. We know there’s a lot of other teams that also would want to be in the semi-final and that are capable of being in the semi-final.”
Nortje, meanwhile, identifies key areas where Saturday’s match will be decided: “They’ve got a very good set piece, and a massive pack of quality international players that we all know.
“They’ve got a very good 9-10 pairing, Andre [Esterhuizen] at 12 is a great ball carrier… They’re very good on the contestable kicking game, and the breakdown, I think that’s the three places where the game is going to be determined, without a doubt.”
The six-Test Springbok is also developing in his new role in the Bulls pack, having moved from lock to blindside flanker. “I must say, I’m really enjoying it. It’s exciting for me to learn a different position. I’ve been playing five lock for as long as I’ve played with the Bulls.
“I like to see myself be as versatile as possible to be able to play on the flank and switch to lock and be able to call lineouts. I still have a lot to learn but each game I’m trying to improve and be better on the flank.”
Photo: @BlueBullsRugby/Twitter
