Marco van Staden says the Vodacom Bulls will run out at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday driven by a greater purpose when they tackle the Glasgow Warriors for the URC title.
It will be a second URC final appearance for the Bulls in three seasons, and their first final at Loftus since 2009 where they beat the Chiefs in the Super Rugby decider.
Beaten finalists in 2022, Jake White’s charges have bounced back from last season’s quarter-final defeat, breaking a URC record along the way. The Herd scored 85 tries in the round-robin stage at an average of nearly five tries per match, and surpassed Leinster’s competition record for most points scored with 639.
For a third season in a row, the URC will have a new winner, and speaking in a Bulls conference on Thursday, Van Staden emphasised what being crowned champions would mean to everyone associated with the Pretoria outfit.
“Winning [the URC] will mean a lot for us, and it’s not just for the players; there’s so many people involved, from the guys not playing to the people working behind the scenes – the coaches, those working at the stadium, and the fans coming out every weekend,” the openside flanker told reporters.
“It will mean a lot to them, and that’s why we have a bigger purpose than just lifting a trophy; we’re playing for a lot more people than just the 23 guys [selected].
“But my mindset is also about not making the game bigger than it is. It is a big occasion and will be a full Loftus, having all our fans for a home final.
MORE: Warriors wary of ‘awesome’ Bulls
“I’m focusing on what I can control and we as a team can control, as well as the things that we’ve done well all season.”
Van Staden returned from injury for the clash with Leinster, after a spell on the sidelines with a knee injury. It has been a stop-start campaign for Van Staden but the Springbok world champion is happy to be back at the tail of the season.
“It has been a bit [frustrating] but everything happens for a reason, and when you’re injured you have time [off] to strengthen other parts of your game,” he said.
“Everything is 100 percent now and my focus is that when I have an opportunity I want to give 100 percent. Injuries unfortunately happen and you can either see it as positive or negative.”
On the man-of-the-match performance of Bulls No 8 Cameron Hanekom last week, Van Staden added: “Cammy is a guy who when you see him doing something well you just want to join in and put in the extra effort.
“He’s massive for the team and the way he plays inspires the whole team to do that extra bit. He’s just a guy who never gives up, 120 percent effort in everything he does, whether it’s on defence or attack.
“When you play next to Cammy you know he’ll give everything he has.”
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
The post Eskom: Bulls playing for something bigger appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
