Bulls need to give little bit extra to beat Leinster in URC final, says Jake White
Bulls captain Ruan Nortjé (right) and his Leinster counterpart Jack Conan pose with the coveted United Rugby Championship trophy ahead of the Grand Final in Dublin. Photo: INPHO Photography
Image: INPHO Photography
The Bulls will be just as desperate, if not more than their opponents Leinster, to win Saturday's United Rugby Championship (URC) final in Dublin.
Playing in their third final, director of rugby Jake White knows just how important the clash at Croke Park (6pm SA time start) will be as they look to claim a maiden URC title after failing with their two attempts in South Africa.
White, at this stage of the season, was in the fortunate position of making only one forced change to his starting side on Thursday, with Springbok Marcell Coetzee taking over the No 8 jersey after the injury to Cameron Hanekom.
World Cup winner Marco van Staden will start at openside flank as Coetzee makes a positional switch from the side of the scrum.
🎉 This is it. The stage is set. Croke Park awaits 🎉
Who will become the new #BKTURC Champion? 🏆
Be there for the drama. Get your ticket now 🎟️👉 https://t.co/CCBw3nKJLp#URC | #LEIvBUL pic.twitter.com/gbchWFRSy5 — BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) June 11, 2025
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There is also one change on the bench, with Springbok loose forward Nizaam Carr taking his place amongst the replacements, with Van Staden promoted to the starting XV.
'What all teams hope is to put their best team forward for the final three weeks of the season,' White said on Thursday.
'If you want to have a fair crack, you must have your best available, and these players are our best players.
'If you reach a final, everyone is desperate to win; let's be fair. No one sits in a final and says we are not desperate or as desperate as the other team... it would be naïve.
Your star-studded Grand Finalists ready to battle 💥
Get your tickets to witness history at Croke Park on Saturday 👉 https://t.co/TMIrfunXKE@Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/MNNXrL4x4T — Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) June 12, 2025
'I can only worry about what we want to do. We've had three chances, this is our third, and we will be desperate.
'But it goes deeper than that. It is not just about the rugby and being desperate. I think it's about that little bit extra.
'That is the test we will all have – which one is more desperate when everything is on the line.'
A new winner will be crowned on Saturday, with the final also taking place outside of South Africa for the very first time.
White added that with Hanekom out, he spent a bit more time this week praying for rain.
Coetzee will bring something different to the mobility that Hanekom brings on defence and attack, but his experience in Irish conditions could be a game-changer.
World Cup winner Van Staden's presence at the breakdown and his energetic ball-carrying will give the Bulls more ammunition in a tight game.
'He (Marco) is a World Cup winner, and he is playing against Josh van der Flier, which will be a great challenge,' White said.
'When you move the deck chairs, you get different options. There will be things we won't be as good at without Cameron.
'However, there will be things we will be much better at with Marcell at number eight.
'It won't make a difference who we have because Leinster will play like Leinster, and we will have to be good enough to beat them.'
Leo Cullen, Leinster's head coach, said on Thursday that the Bulls would rock up at Croke Park with a ton of experience, highlighting double World Cup winner Willie le Roux and the experienced Coetzee, who played rugby in Ireland in his career, as key men.
'We know what we are up against, and it will be a hugely physical challenge. It won't be easy, but it's amazing to be here,' he said.
'Them playing away from home could make them a more difficult team... I hope not,' Cullen added on the visiting side playing their third final, but this time away from South Africa.
'They have travelled well throughout the year and had a couple of good wins here.
'They will be very confident coming into the game, and they have plenty of international experience. I know Jake tries to play that down. We know it will be a huge challenge.
Bulls Team
15 Willie le Roux 14 Canan Moodie 13 David Kriel 12 Harold Vorster 11 Sebastian de Klerk 10 Johan Goosen 9 Embrose Papier 8 Marcell Coetzee 7 Ruan Nortjé (captain) 6 Marco van Staden 5 JF van Heerden 4 Cobus Wiese 3 Wilco Louw 2 Johan Grobbelaar 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
Bench: 16 Akker van der Merwe 17 Alulutho Tshakweni 18 Mornay Smith 19 Jannes Kirsten 20 Nizaam Carr 21 Zak Burger 22 Keagan Johannes 23 Devon Williams.
Leinster Team
15 Jimmy O'Brien 14 Tommy O'Brien 13 Garry Ringrose 12 Jordie Barrett 11 James Lowe 10 Sam Prendergast 9 Jamison Gibson-Park 8 Jack Conan (captain) 7 Josh van der Flier 6 Ryan Baird 5 James Ryan 4 Joe McCarthy 3 Thomas Clarkson 2 Dan Sheehan 1 Andrew Porter.
Bench: 16 Ronan Kelleher 17 Jack Boyle 18 Rabah Slimani 19 RG Snyman 20 Max Deegan 21 Luke McGrath 22 Ross Byrne 23 Jamie Osborne.
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