A Bulls team coming off the back of six straight URC wins will be hard for Munster to stop in their quarterfinal clash at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
To Win
Bulls | Draw | Munster
Handicap
Bulls | Munster
Match context
Despite comprehensively beating Benetton 45-19 in Pretoria in their final round robin clash of the campaign, Bulls boss Johan Ackermann was quick to point to what he called several ‘soft moments’ in the aftermath of that encounter, one which sealed the three-time runners-up a fourth-place finish and this subsequent home quarterfinal.
The parts of their game which he was referencing, such as the needless kicking away of possession, would not have gone unnoticed by the Herd in the lead up to this knockout affair, and it’s scary to think what this team can achieve if they can remain more intentional. Having had a week off to tighten their approach, all signs are that the Bulls will be coming in hot this weekend.
The Pretoria franchise has timed their run to the knockouts superbly, winning a ridiculous nine of their last 10 URC games, including their last six on the bounce, to arrive at this point with momentum and belief, as they attempt to exorcise the demons of their Grand Final defeat last year, and the two others prior to that.
The addition of Handre Pollard has been invaluable in giving something of a jaded squad a real burst of quality and experience and now will be the time the double World Cup-winner can really show what he was brought in to do.
The 32-year-old is arguably the best knockout flyhalf in the game and has the ability to take the Bulls even deeper into the competition as it reaches its culmination over the next three weeks.
Munster meanwhile deserve plaudits for finishing as high as fifth after all the financial and operational turbulence they’ve had to deal with over the course of the season. In fact, they finished just four-points off their opponents this week and were pipped 34-31 in their round robin meeting at the end of March, which again underlines the resilience and grit of the Limerick club.
They’ll need all that and more this week though, especially with the news that Ireland flyhalf Jack Crowley has been ruled out. Star man Tadhg Beirne is also a doubt, having not featured in red since last month, though the return of Fineen Wycherley and Alex Nankivell offers some respite.
Players to watch
Ruan Nortje (Bulls)
Set to depart Loftus at the end of the season, expect Nortje to be at the front and centre for his beloved team again on Saturday in what could be his final ever appearance in Bulls blue. In the midst of one of the most brutal packs in the competition, Nortje’s authority at the set piece and through his decision-making continues to be a massive part of his team’s success, and that should be no different against Munster. He won’t hold anything back.
Craig Casey (Munster)
The Munster centurion will be under immense pressure, with his pack likely to struggle, and any time and space he does get likely to be shut down very quickly in the cauldron of Loftus. With Crowley not involved, Casey’s role this weekend just became a whole lot bigger, and, coming up against red hot Bulls No 9 Embrose Papier, he needs to make the most of each and every opportunity to affect play that comes his way.
Tactical overview
If the Bulls can stop the ‘soft moments’ and tidy things up, it’s difficult envisaging them getting knocked to the canvas this weekend. They’ve got the second-most devastating attack in the competition and have scored more tries and points than any other team. With experienced game-drivers like Pollard and Le Roux in their squad, and leaders virtually all over the park, the warning signs are obvious for Munster.
The hosts have also got the second-most accurate scrum in the URC this term with a 96% success rate — a quite remarkable stat. Munster meanwhile are ranked 10th in this department and the way in which their heavymen front up to the likes of Wilco Louw and the rest of the Bulls’ Bok-laden front row will make or break their efforts on the highveld.
The absence of Crowley is a big one for the tourists, who will miss his physicality and gainline aggression, while supporters of the Red Army will also be holding thumbs for the talismanic Beirne’s inclusion.
At the close of pay though, the Bulls have too much power and momentum behind them.
Prediction
Get on the Bulls to clear the handicap at Loftus and march on to the semis.
