Johan Grobbelaar anticipates an epic showdown between the Vodacom Bulls and Sharks on Saturday, noting the importance of the Durban clash for the visitors’ trophy aspirations.
After a historic week for the Sharks in European cup action, the South African sides will renew hostilities in the last round of the league phase of the Vodacom URC.
Out of the race for a playoff spot in the URC, John Plumtree’s charges will bring the curtain down on their season when they host the Bulls at Kings Park. The Herd are second on the overall log and will be playing for top spot when they head to the coast.
The Sharks booked safe passage back to the Champions Cup with last Friday’s win against Gloucester in London, and speaking in a Bulls conference on Monday, Grobbelaar emphasised building momentum for the playoffs with a statement performance.
“I can’t believe we’re at the last round of the competition already, it seems like yesterday we were still in pre-season,” the hooker told reporters.
“If you look at our position on the log at the moment it’s not too bad but we’ve still got a big job to do in Durban. It’s going to be an important one for us, to maybe go first or stay second on the log.
“We’ve got to focus on ourselves and play the best rugby that we can, regardless what team they put out against us. Obviously they didn’t play their best rugby at the start of the season, but they’re playing their best rugby at the end.
“If you want to win the trophy you have to win games like this; if you want to win a semi-final or final you’re going to have to win in SA, even if it’s away.”
“If they send their best team then we can measure ourselves against the best. We’ve seen in the past that when you go into playoff games and you have a very easy game of running away with the scoreboard, then teams tend to get a bit comfortable,” Grobbelaar added.
“We definitely don’t want an easy game, we want to get tested. All respect to the Sharks, people always talk about an A team and B team but whoever they send out will be very strong in Durban.
“This is actually a difficult time to face them, they’re starting to play their best rugby now. I don’t think they’re going to go away or are satisfied with their season yet, even though they’ve won a trophy.
“They’re going to want to finish strong; it’s a home game for them and they aren’t backing off one bit and we’re up for a big challenge.”
The SA Shield champion will be determined by this week’s derbies, with the Bulls leading the charge on 20 points, closely followed by the Stormers, who cross swords with the Lions on Saturday in the Mother City, with 17.
“That’s in the back of your mind and it will be great to win the South African conference, but at the end of the day if you win that you haven’t won that much,” Grobbelaar said.
“The main focus will always be the final and winning that URC trophy.”
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
The post Bulls primed for Sharks’ best shot appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
