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The Citizen
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Bulls focus on winning attitude ahead of Cardiff clash
The Bulls have a chance to catch up to second-placed Glasgow on the URC table with their match against Cardiff this weekend. The Bulls say they plan to maintain their positive mental game and skillset strengths as they prepare for a tough clash against Welsh side Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday (kick-off 4pm). The Bulls sit third on the URC log after their 26–19 win against Glasgow two weeks ago. They are in a good position to steal the second spot from the Scottish team (one point ahead), who have tricky final matches away to Benetton and URC leaders Leinster. But fifth-placed Cardiff aren't easy opponents, coming from two wins in their last matches against Munster and Ospreys. They have had mixed results so far this season, both at home and away, but are known to be able to turn up on the day. When the teams clash at Loftus, Cardiff will be eying a difficult but not-impossible move up to fourth place so they can host a quarter-final. Cardiff come with belief 'I think they are going to come to Loftus with intent. They are going to come with the belief to win,' said Bulls loose forward Marco van Staden. 'Cardiff has had a very good season. We are expecting it to be a very big battle. We are not expecting anything less.' He said the Bulls would carry their confidence and momentum from a stellar month-long tour in Europe where they beat Bayonne, Munster and Glasgow – the latter two being the URC winners over the past two years. 'I think our attitude was very good against Munster and Glasgow. I think we'll just go with that same attitude in the next two games and the play-offs. 'No matter if the occasion changes, we still have to play the way we train and the way we've been playing the whole season…. We want to play without the pressure of the occasion.' Bulls draw strength from each other, their families Van Staden in fact missed the Munster game to be with his wife for the birth of their second daughter. He said being on such a long tour away from one's family can be difficult, but the Bulls have created a culture where they draw strength from each other and the support of their loved ones. 'A lot of the guys have children and it makes it a bit more difficult but I think is everyone is very happy and looking forward to the next few weeks at Loftus. 'Our motivation is just playing for each other. That is something that doesn't change week to week. We decided to play for each other, fight for each other, fight for the players not on tour, fighting for the players on tour that are not playing, fighting for our families. 'We as a group have created a bigger 'why' for us. That is something we will carry forward for the remainder of this competition.'
The Citizen
07-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Bulls will climb to second spot if they stick to their strengths — Van Staden
'We're focusing on the whole process, things that have been working for us. If we do that well, those five points in both games will come.' Bulls loose forward Marco van Staden believes they can push on for two bonus-point wins in their final URC league matches. Picture: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images The Bulls believe if they stick to their strengths and iron out one or two improvements, they will be able to earn bonus-point wins in their last two regular-season matches and finish the United Rugby Championship (URC) league phase in second position. The Bulls sit third on the URC log after their 26–19 win against Glasgow last weekend. However, they may be able to steal the second spot from Glasgow (one point ahead), who have tricky final matches away to Benetton and URC leaders Leinster. The Bulls, coming from a fantastic tour in Europe where they won three out of four games and made history along the way, have relatively easier fixtures at home against fifth-placed Cardiff on Saturday (kick-off 4pm) and then last-placed Dragons next week. Finishing second would mean a home play-off against the team finishing seventh. 'We had a very good tour, a very hard tour,' said loose forward Marco van Staden. 'The two big games, Munster and Glasgow, [were] two weeks in a row. So I think the break afterwards was very good for us, resting the bodies a bit.' Bulls target bonus point wins He said the Bulls were back in training this week, trying to find the same intensity they had two weeks ago. 'We're focusing on the whole process, things that have been working for us. If we do that well, those five points in both games will come. 'It's not going to be easy, we first have to win the game before we start thinking of five points. That is why we just focus on things we have been doing good and see where we can improve, because there are still a lot of improvements from the Munster and Glasgow games.' The 29-year-old Springbok said one of these was killing the chances presented to them. 'I think we waste maybe a lot of opportunities that we create, not finishing.' What has worked for the Bulls this season That said, the Bulls have won 12 of their 16 games for good reason, building momentum from scrum and maul dominance and showing resilience in defence against tough sides. In one or two games, the Bulls had to hold on near the death or snatch a win in the last minute, showing their tenacity and never-say-die attitude. For instance, the Bulls won a scrum turnover to earn the match-winning penalty kick in extra time against Leinster in March. They also had tight wins against Glasgow, Munster, Stormers and Edinburgh in this URC season. Van Staden said it was important to recognise what was working. 'We want to play like we've been playing when we were very successful. We just want to carry that forward. We want to prove the fundamentals we have.'
IOL News
06-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
All about the ‘bigger why' for Bulls in URC title quest, says Marco van Staden
Marco van Staden Bulls flank Marco van Staden is expecting Cardiff to come to Loftus Versfeld with 'massive intent' on Saturday. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix The Bulls may be coming off arguably their finest win since the 2022 semi-finals, but they are not carried away with that momentum in their United Rugby Championship title quest. Beating Glasgow 26-19 at Scotstoun Stadium on April 25 provided some satisfaction following last season's final defeat to the Warriors at Loftus Versfeld. But it doesn't mean that the URC trophy is now suddenly in Pretoria – something that Jake White's team can only secure on June 14. After a week off, though, there is the danger that the Bulls might feel that Cardiff will be pushovers in Saturday's clash at Loftus Versfeld (4pm start), especially having beaten Glasgow and Munster in Limerick. The Bulls can't afford any slip-ups as they are still able to finish second on the log and book a home semi-final if they get through the quarters. They are on 58 points at the moment, one behind Glasgow – but the Scottish defending champions face Benetton in Italy on Saturday and then Leinster in Dublin next weekend. Bulls flank Marco van Staden said during a press conference on Tuesday that the team are still on a high from the tour, but are well aware that the trophy has not been won yet. 'We're focusing on our process, the things that have been working for us. And I think if we do that well, those five points in both games will come,' the Springbok loose forward said. 'It's not going to be easy. So, we first have to win the game before we start thinking about five points, before anything. 'So, I think that's why we just focus on the things we've been doing good, and see where we can improve because there's still a lot of improvements from the Munster and Glasgow game going forward. 'We decided to play for each other and fight for each other, fight for the players. Not on tour, fighting for the players on tour that's not playing, fighting for our families. 'So now, I think we as a group have created a bigger why for us. So now I think that's something we will carry forward for the remainder of this competition. 'I think we've learned from last season. I don't know why our away games were better than our home games. 'But I think we've learned from the previous games that we had to win, which we haven't won yet. 'And I think we can learn from that in the next two games and hopefully in the away games.' The Bulls completed the 'Irish Grand Slam' by beating Munster on tour, to go with victories over Leinster, Connacht and Ulster this season. But while the last few weeks in Europe were ones to remember, the Pretoria side were far from perfect, especially on attack. It was more their defensive fortitude that won them the Munster and Glasgow games, and they need to be much more ruthless with ball-in-hand if they want to go all the way in the URC this year. 'It's more parts of the game, I think it's more small detail and using opportunities we get,' Van Staden said. 'I think we waste maybe a lot of opportunities that we create, not finishing, so ja, I think that's one of them. 'We have to focus on doing the things we've been doing the whole season and keep doing it. No matter if the occasion changes, we still have to play the way we train and the way we've been playing the whole season. 'Just being more clinical in those games, being more clinical and using those opportunities we create. 'We want to play without the pressure of the occasion, and we want to play like we've been playing when we were very successful. 'So, I think we just want to carry that forward and improve like the fundamentals we have, and then the other smaller details. '(Winning the URC title) is definitely a big thing for us. 'I think that week was very needed for everyone just to get back to their families, get back to their kids and reset. It was two games... very high (level). 'Even though we won those two big games, there is still a lot to improve. 'There are still a lot of opportunities we could have taken. I think for us, it's just a refocus, and just start again. 'We hope to start with the same intensity and carry it through all the way to the end. 'Cardiff are going to come to Loftus with massive intent. They are going to come with the belief to win. 'Cardiff has had a very good season to this far. We are expecting it's going to be a big battle. We are not expecting anything less.'
The Citizen
25-04-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Willie, Eskom back for Bulls
Springbok flank Marco van Staden and fullback Willie le Roux return for the Vodacom Bulls' match against Glasgow at Scotstoun Stadium tonight. Le Roux has been named on the bench having recovered from a shoulder injury that required surgery, while Van Staden starts at No 8 in place of Cameron Hanekom (who is not match fit) after missing last week's win against Muster due to the birth of his child. Captain Ruan Nortje moves from the second row to blindside flank with Jannes Kirsten shifting to openside and Marcell Coetzee dropping down to the bench. JF van Heerden regains the No 5 jersey. Johann Grobbelaar starts at hooker ahead of Akker van der Merwe, while former Junior Boks loose forward Jaco Grobler is set to make his United Rugby Championship (URC) debut as a substitute. The only change to the backline sees wingers Canan Moodie and Sebastian de Klerk swap jerseys. The Bulls are currently third on the URC log, four points behind second-placed Glasgow. MORE: I don't coach on revenge – Jake Bulls: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sebastian de Klerk, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Marco van Staden, 7 Ruan Nortje (c), 6 Jannes Kirsten, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johann Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Bench: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Jaco Grobler, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Willie le Roux, 23 Stedman Gans. The post Eskom, Willie back for Bulls appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
The Citizen
24-04-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Willie le Roux returns for Bulls v Glasgow after successful surgery
SA U20 lock Jacobus Grobbelaar is set to make his debut from the bench as Springboks Willie le Roux and Marco van Staden return to the side. Willie le Roux will play in his first match since undergoing surgery. Picture: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images Springboks Willie le Roux and Marco van Staden have returned to the Bulls squad to take on Glasgow Warriors in the United Rugby Championship at Scotstoun Stadium on Friday (kick-off 8.35pm). Veteran fullback Le Roux underwent a small surgery to repair a minor injury in his neck and shoulder in March. He missed four games since then – matches against Zebre, Bayonne, Edinburgh and Munster. His return also comes on the back of extending his contract with the Bulls for the next two seasons. Le Roux will play from the bench against Glasgow. Loose forward Van Staden returns after he missed the 16–13 win against Munster in Ireland last weekend due to the birth of his child. Bulls make changes for Glasgow Bulls director of rugby Jake White also made a number of positional and bench switches for the game against Glasgow, who beat the Bulls in the URC final at Loftus last year. Among the forwards, Johan Grobbelaar starts at hooker for Akker van der Merwe, who moves to the bench. Captain Ruan Nortje moves from five lock to seven flanker, as JF van Heerden fills in at five. Jannes Kirsten switches from seven flanker to six as last week's man of the match, Marcell Coetzee moves to the bench, and Marco van Staden plays No 8 for Cameron Hanekom, who is not in the matchday 23. In the backline, Sebastian de Klerk and Canan Moodie switch their positions on the wing, with De Klerk now at 11 and Moodie at 14. SA U20 lock Jacobus Grobbelaar is set to make his debut from the bench. Bulls starting XV: Devon Williams, Canan Moodie, David Kriel, Harold Vorster, Sebastian de Klerk, Johan Goosen, Embrose Papier, Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje (c), Jannes Kirsten, JF van Heerden, Cobus Wiese, Wilco Louw, Johan Grobbelaar, Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Replacements: Akker van der Merwe, Simphiwe Matanzima, Mornay Smith, Jacobus Grobbelaar, Marcell Coetzee, Keagan Johannes, Willie le Roux, Stedman Gans.
