Bulls boss Jake White not taking anything for granted in URC knockout clash

By SABC Sport
5th June 2024

Director of Rugby Jake White said the Bulls aren't looking past Benneton as they head into the business end of the United Rugby Championship.

The Bulls' journey towards a potential Grand Final will see them playing the winner of Leinster vs Ulster in the semifinals, should they advance past the Italians this coming weekend.

That final four fixture would be held on home turf too, on the 15th of June, and it would be another first for the Tshwane outfit.

The 2023/24 Grand Final could be played in the highveld too, should the Bulls book their spot and table-topping Munster fall out of the knockouts. So, there is plenty of rugby action ahead and it all could be in our very own backyard.

White warns that everybody should maintain a calm head as the team and the supporters look ahead and get the first job done before looking at the next.

"It is easy to get carried away and start thinking too far ahead because we have every bit of ambition to go all the way," the Director of Rugby told the Bulls' website.

"We are always competing to win and so this is a wonderful opportunity for our supporters to turn up for this game and paint Loftus blue on the weekend because this is a stubborn Italian side with international caps from front to back, so they will not be an easy challenge and that is why we need that sixteenth player in the stands for 80 minutes.

"We are also fortunate to have a great kick-off time which is good for the whole family with no school games around, so I am calling on all our local schools, clubs, and communities to get to Loftus this weekend. This is our quarterfinal!"

Benetton boasts an impressive attacking record and have had a season of consistent performances on their way to 11 wins and a single draw, including a 31-6 drubbing of Edinburgh in round 18 to see them qualify for the knockouts. The Trevisio-based side is not shy on attack either, having scored 41 tries this season and that sets up a tantalising clash on Saturday under the Loftus sky.

Young gun and creative back liner, Canan Moodie echoes his mentor's call as he says they are not going to take the Italians lightly and calls for the same support they received for the North-South derby.

"We don't take them lightly," said the World Cup winner.

"It is a playoff game and they will come here with a lot of confidence after their good win on the weekend.

"We hope to play in front of a packed Loftus crowd. It was nice when we did against the Stormers and now the stakes are even higher so I am hoping that the home support will be with us on Saturday."