Vodacom Bulls coach Pote Human says he is confident that his forwards can handle the powerful Stormers pack when they clash at Newlands on Saturday.
The Bulls travel down to Newlands this weekend, looking for their first win of the season after a disappointing loss to the Sharks in the first round in Durban.
The game will feature a mouthwatering clash between two packs with plenty of provincial and international experience. The Bulls have been able to call Bok tighthead Trevor Nyakane back into the starting lineup, after he came off the bench last weekend. Nyakane will be opposing Springbok teammate Steven Kitshoff, who starts for the Stormers.
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The Stormers displayed their threat at the set-piece last weekend, as they demolished the Hurricanes’ scrum and disrupted the New Zealanders at the lineout.
However, Human has been confident enough to switch tactics and name five forwards on the bench, as opposed to the six that he took to Kings Park.
‘It is always a risk when you only take two backs,’ Human said. ‘I believe we have the pack to match them. Especially now that Trevor and Lizo [Gqoboka] both had some game time last week. I am looking forward to the scrum battle and forward battle with these guys back in the pack.’
The Bulls’ record at Newlands is not great. The last time the men from Pretoria tasted victory in the Cape was back in 2011, so they will be desperate to break their losing streak. As an extra motivator, it will be the last time that the Bulls play at Newlands, with the Stormers set to move stadiums next year.
‘Everybody is up for this weekend,’ Human said. ‘It is a big derby, north vs south. It is the last time these guys will play at Newlands. So it is a great occasion for everybody. We are really well prepared for this week.’
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Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
