Have no doubts afterwards, Willie le Roux tells Bulls in Dublin URC final crunch against Leinster
EYES ON THE PRIZE Bulls fullback Willie le Roux pumps some iron in the gym in Dublin this week ahead of the URC final against Leinster. Photo: INPHO URC
Image: INPHO URC
Willie le Roux has enjoyed a stellar career, with the two Rugby World Cup triumphs with the Springboks the stand-out moments.
The 35-year-old fullback has featured for many clubs, franchises and provinces too – from Boland and the Cheetahs in the early days, to Wasps in England and now the Bulls.
Yet in over 15 years, he has only celebrated one trophy: the 2011 Currie Cup First Division title with Boland, alongside his late teammate Cornal Hendricks.
So, Saturday's United Rugby Championship final against Leinster in Dublin (6pm SA time start) is an extra special encounter for Le Roux, who will hope to lift the cup for his friend Hendricks too.
Le Roux feels that the key to victory at Croke Park will be about handling the magnitude of the occasion – not only in dealing with the atmosphere and the boisterous Leinster supporters, but also ensuring that the Bulls play their natural game.
'It doesn't help if we go and do something different to what we did this year because it's a final,' the 98-cap Springbok said from Dublin on Wednesday.
'We all know what to do and what our jobs are. If you usually clean 10 breakdowns, then maybe you might have to clean 30 this weekend.
'Everyone is enjoying themselves, and it is great to be in each other's company here.
'But the main thing is Saturday. We got here and wanted to be here.
'I tell the young guys to just enjoy themselves, as sometimes you might never play in a final again. You must enjoy it as if it's your last one, and leave everything out there.
'It's a big one this weekend, and to win the URC title would be amazing.
'But Leinster lie in front of us, and have been an unbelievable team for the last 10 years. They have played in a lot of finals, but we are looking forward to it and playing for a bigger goal – and we all know what to do on Saturday.'
Le Roux has been a key cog in the Bulls make-up this season, even slotting in at flyhalf when Johan Goosen was injured.
But it's in the No 15 jersey where all his experience and nous will be crucial in directing the Bulls attack and marshalling the likes of Canan Moodie and Sebastian de Klerk in the back-three.
Leinster are not shy to take on the defence from the start, with fullback Jimmy O'Brien and wings James Lowe and Tommy O'Brien all keen to get their hands on the ball, as well as employing a smart kicking game.
The Bulls, though, are well equipped to fight fire with fire.
'A bit of advice that I can give younger guys and stuff we play together is like, it's the same as playing the first game of the season,' Le Roux said.
'It's not to put this on the pedestal and make this that much bigger.
'And then you creep into your shell and you don't want to try stuff, and you don't want to run from your own half and you don't want to try something, because that's not what got us here in the first place.
'We got here through taking chances. Like I said, if we see an opportunity, we (must) take it.
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