In speaking with the Bulls players this week, you get the sense that they are still feeling the disappointment from last season’s Champions Cup quarter-final defeat to the Northampton Saints.
The Pretoria side went down heavily, 59-22, at Franklin’s Gardens in April, and have a chance to avenge that defeat in tomorrow’s showdown with the same opponents – but this time at their beloved Loftus Versfeld (3pm start).
Coach Jake White opted for a largely second-string side in the quarter-final as he juggled URC commitments, but it was still a strong outfit that ran onto the field.
Devon Williams, Sebastian de Klerk, Harold Vorster and Chris Smith among the backs, and Akker van der Merwe, Mpilo Gumede and Cameron Hanekom upfront were all regular starters anyway in a line-up captained by the experienced Nizaam Carr, who is also a Springbok.
The Bulls were still in the contest at 28-22 at halftime, but didn’t score another point in the second half while conceding 31 themselves.
They are determined to turn things around this weekend, as much as for their pride as staying alive in this season’s race for the playoffs.
“We hurt quite a lot last year after the Northampton game. I think they were a very, very good side – still are. It was a real test for us as a union playing in that competition,” wing De Klerk said this week.
“But we are now playing them at Loftus, so it is going to be a completely different game. We really want to make our mark in that sense, and have a good result this weekend.
“It wasn’t lekker losing that side, so hopefully we can give them the same feeling this side.”
The 24-year-old speedster, who is a product of Boland Landbou School in Paarl in the Western Cape, was one of the stand-out performers in last week’ 27-5 loss to Saracens in London.
The Bulls had their moments in the first half in almost overwhelming weather conditions in London – caused by Storm Darragh – but trailed 8-5 at halftime, having played with a powerful wind behind them.
The five points, via De Klerk’s try, were not enough when playing into a wind where the ball sometimes went backwards when kicked into touch, and Saracens played the conditions perfectly to grab a bonus-point triumph.
Even though there are some thunderstorms forecast for Pretoria tomorrow, De Klerk is confident that the Bulls can produce their trademark all-out attacking style against Northampton.
“The weather conditions at Sarries was horrible. It was very difficult to play, and it was something I and a lot of other players hadn’t experienced yet,” the 24-year-old said.
“That made it extremely difficult, but I still think that was not the reason we lost. We gave away way too many penalties, and we don’t want to blame the weather at all.
“This weekend, it will have a big influence. It is 34 degrees here, and they are obviously not used to it. We like playing at Loftus – it’s our home. The altitude plays a role, and it will definitely suit us playing at Loftus.
“We’ve played some brilliant games there in the past, and we really want to give our home crowd something to look at again.
“We are well suited to playing in the rain as well. We are not a team that’s limited to just being able to play rugby and win games in good weather that suits us.
“I do take quite a lot of confidence out of the Saracens game. Getting loads of game-time is always important, and you realise you are just as good as them, and that the hard work is paying off.”
De Klerk will also have his hands full in defence as Northampton boast an England Test left wing in Ollie Sleightholme, who troubled the Bulls with his searing pace in April.
“He is a very good player – I have a lot of respect for him. He has played for England now too, and played well too,” De Klerk said.
“I played against him last year and it was a lekker challenge... He is a very strong player and he is fast, and he has good feet.
“It’s nice to measure yourself against such guys. He is playing international rugby, and that is where I would like to play one day as well.”