The Vodacom Bulls are determined to turn Loftus back into a fortress as they prepare for a heavyweight URC clash against the Sharks in Pretoria.
Last season, both the Sharks and Stormers left Loftus with wins – something the Bulls are desperate to avoid repeating.
“We want to play good rugby. The Sharks and the Stormers beat us here last season and we want to prevent a repeat of that,” loose forward Marcell Coetzee told Netwerk24.
“It always gives us extra energy to play here in Pretoria in front of our own people. But you mustn’t rely too much on Loftus and the altitude. It’s important for us to play well and reward the supporters who stand by us so loyally.”
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Johan Ackermann’s side head into the clash on the back of a hard-fought 31-24 win over Boland in Wellington – a fixture Coetzee believes was ideal preparation after the recent URC break.
“Boland made it very difficult and they threw everything at us. That’s what we wanted. It was important to get onto the field and make a few adjustments. Our players also got valuable game time, especially given that the Sharks played against the Lions last weekend.”
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The return of experienced duo Jan Serfontein and Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg has further bolstered the Bulls’ ranks. Both featured in Wellington after recovering from injury.
The Durban-based side claimed a 21-12 victory over the Bulls in December, but the contest was tight until late in the second half – a reminder that little often separates these two SA heavyweights.
Photo: Ryan Byrne/INPHO
