Bulls face tricky fixture against Irish log leaders

The Vodacom Bulls may rightly expect to get a full-house of points when they face top of the table Leinster in their Vodacom United Rugby Championship match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, but it's hard not to see the fixture as a banana peel that is waiting to be slipped on.

The fact that the Irish juggernaut team arrived in Pretoria on Sunday, a day earlier to help acclimatise to the altitude may not feel like a significant factor for them, but it will make the world of difference for young players heading into battle at Loftus Versfeld.

Leinster haven’t announced their travelling squad for the clash, but if it includes the likes of All Black Jordie Barrett, double World Cup-winning lock RG Snyman and Frenchman Rabah Slimani they will certainly pose a threat to the Bulls on their home turf.

Leinster had no less than 16 players in the Irish playing squad that beat Italy this past weekend, so it is safe to assume that none of them were on the plane the same night to Johannesburg, and are less likely to be in Pretoria at all this week, rather enjoying a well-earned rest.

But the depth they possess, and their habit of sending younger squads to South Africa to develop players and coaches make them an intriguing side to face for coach Jake White.

LEARNED FROM PREVIOUS TRIPS

They will have learned from their previous trips to South Africa - trips that included a record defeat at the hands of the Bulls two years ago when they fielded a virtual academy side under young coach Sean O’Brien with Leo Cullen heading home to concentrate on Champions Cup fixtures.

Last season’s fixture in Dublin was just as contentious as Leinster got away with a red-card tackle on Kurt-Lee Arendse and some interesting reffing calls to win the game there.

The Bulls by contrast won’t be happy with losing their last two games against the Hollywoodbets Sharks and DHL Stormers, both contests they feel they let themselves down in.

And while they are third, three points behind Glasgow Warriors and two ahead of the Sharks, the pressure will be there to get a full house of points this week and next, where they face Italian side Zebre before heading into the EPCR Challenge Cup.

For the Bulls this fixture represents five points at a minimum and a chance to re-establish themselves as one of the contenders for the title. Leinster will no doubt be looking for a couple of good performances, but their position at the top of the log allows them the leeway that they don’t have to send a strong side to South Africa.

HIDDEN VALUE FOR LEINSTER

But it doesn’t mean that the fixture doesn’t have value for them. The Bulls are a potential playoff opponent at some stage, and they will want to stress-test the Bulls defence and attack for some markers they can use.

Jacques Nienaber, who is someone who never seems to sleep on opposition weaknesses, will be using the fixture not only to underline the prospect of some younger players ambitions but also to take notes for any future encounter.

Still, the Bulls need these five points more than Leinster does, and they need a performance after the Sharks and Stormers defeats that restores belief and confidence.

Leinster may not be the same Leinster that will be in the playoffs, but they still are a very good side, and possibly better than half the teams in the competition.

The potential for a banana slip is there, but it shouldn’t be something the Bulls should overly concentrate on.

For now, their own processes - that old cliche that coaches love to use in interviews - are what are important.

Getting their own confidence back, honing their own attack and ensuring whatever Leinster brings won’t break down their defences. Those are the priorities this week.

That, and ensuring Leinster are reminded that Loftus is a Bulls fortress. White will be drumming all those home for the Bulls this week.

But what counts will be what they deliver on the field. Those five points aren’t guaranteed this week or next. If the Bulls hit their own targets they will be there.

And it will keep them in contention as we head closer to the playoffs.