After their comprehensive victory last week, the Bulls will be looking for another statement performance when a hurting Munster side travel to Loftus Versfeld in round 14 of the URC on Saturday.
To Win
Bulls | Draw | Munster
Handicap
Bulls | Munster
Match context
The Bulls ran riot against Cardiff last week, scoring six tries in an eventual 40-7 win that sees them head into this clash against the Munstermen precariously placed in eighth spot, level on points with ninth-placed Connacht. With the competition set to seriously intensify in the rounds remaining, Johan Ackermann’s side have to maintain that momentum or risk falling off the pace.
Aside from the five log points they gained against Cardiff, the other obvious positive for the Pretoria outfit was the successful return of Cameron Hanekom, who came on with about a half hour to play at Loftus and looked like he’d been playing all season.
The presence of the 23-year-old will add massively to Ackermann’s arsenal, and his energy and enthusiasm will only serve to lift those around him and drive them on even further.
Like their South African compadres, the men in blue will play three of their remaining five round robin games at home, meaning the ball is in their court so to speak regarding hanging on to, or even improving upon their current top eight standing.
The challenge for them this week comes in the form of a Munster team that were on the receiving end of an emphatic 45-0 defeat in Durban last time out, a result which has left the Limerick club sitting sixth, just four points clear of the Bulls.
Considering the very real danger of their losing more ground in the playoff race, they’ve called in Six Nations reinforcements Craig Casey, Jeremy Loughman and Jack Crowley, a trio who will undoubtedly lend stability to the embattled outfit. How much they are able to impact matters remains to be see though given what the Bulls managed to produce last week.
Players to watch
Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls)
Arendse’s long term future in Pretoria may be in doubt, but what isn’t is the 29-year-old’s enduring quality. The flyer was electric last week and caused mayhem with ball in hand, leaving plenty of would-be Cardiff defenders in his wake. It wouldn’t be surprising to see something similar on Saturday, and Munster need to be on high alert in broken field.
His assist for David Kriel’s try last week was a real thing of beauty, and his subsequent set up for Embrose Papier was arguably even better. Given how poor Munster were defensively against the Sharks, Arendse will be licking his chops at the prospect of having a crack at them on Saturday.
Gavin Coombes (Munster)
One of his team’s few shining lights in the defeat in Durban, the Munster centurion deserved plaudits for carrying hard and getting some purchase at the breakdown. In the face of what could be another attacking onslaught, his impact on both sides of the ball will be key if his team are to have any hopes of stealing a win on the highveld.
Having debuted way back in 2018, Coombes’ is a seasoned campaigner and the way in which he stands up to the Bulls’ monster loose trio will set the tone for Munster at Loftus.
Tactical overview
Munster’s performance at scrum time against the Hollywoodbets Sharks was underwhelming to put it mildly, and they must address this area before their game at Loftus. Whether that means making changes to their front row of Michael Milne, Diarmuid Barron and Michael Ala’alatoa remains to be seen, but something will need to give as they prepare to face a Springbok-laden Bulls front row.
The Bulls’ scrum was at its brutal best at times against Cardiff, while their driving maul earned them two tries in the first-half. If Munster hesitate at set piece or in the collisions, they are likely to be punished pretty quickly.
Elsewhere, Munster will hope that the return of their Ireland trio will give them a boost, and Crowley’s flyhalf battle against Handre Pollard will make for entertaining viewing should the former start. For the Bulls, Bok outcast Papier continued his immaculate form last week and will again be influential for his team on Saturday. If Munster aren’t organised around the breakdown they will be made to pay.
Prediction
Given Munster’s inconsistency and the Bulls’ performance last week, the hosts should clear the handicap with ease in Pretoria this week.
