Devon Williams is relishing the opportunity to fill a “big hole” in the Vodacom Bulls back three left by Springbok Kurt-Lee Arendse when the Vodacom URC resumes this week.
The Bulls are gearing up to tackle Connacht on Saturday in round 7 of the competition. The Herd enter the clash third in the URC standings and riding high on a four-out-of-five win record from their opening matches.
Speaking in a Bulls conference from Galway on Tuesday, Williams addressed the temporary absence of Arendse, who has joined Mitsubishi Dynaboars in Japan on a short-term deal.
Despite facing stiff competition among top Boks at the Bulls, the 32-year-old Williams has excelled at wing and fullback after securing a permanent move to Loftus Versfeld last season following a loan move from the Pumas.
“Kurt-Lee is a special player. He’s won a World Cup. He’s going to leave a big hole,” Williams told reporters. “It’s now the responsibility of the back three to step up and try and fill that hole.
“It also creates an opportunity for a younger player to step up.”
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With the return of their Boks, bar injured captain Ruan Nortje, Jake White has named an experienced Bulls squad for a two-week tour. They kick off their campaign in the Champions Cup against Saracens at the StoneX Stadium next week.
However, Williams noted the challenge of Galway’s unpredictable weather, which often dictates matches at The Sportsground.
“We’re quite experienced [but] obviously not all of the guys have played in all the conditions,” he said.
“But I think going into the game we have enough experience to adapt to any conditions.”
According to Williams, the Bulls used the November break as a chance to refocus. “Going into the first few games [at the start of the season] we said we were going to be a bit behind because we had the whole Currie Cup campaign as well and straight from there into the URC,” he explained.
“We used this mini-break as a mini pre-season to get us going for the rest of the year. The guys are raring to go.”
With Connacht missing several players due to Ireland’s ongoing international commitments, the Bulls could capitalise on the depleted Irish side, yet Williams remains wary.
“I think it doesn’t change anything, and it’s another opportunity for us to express our play and obviously set us up well for next week [against Saracens]. We’re expecting a dog fight.”
Photo: Johan Orton/Gallo Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
