The upcoming United Rugby Championship (URC) clash between the Lions and the Bulls at Ellis Park promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams are coming off impressive wins in their respective competitions. The Lions, who recently demolished the Dragons 60-10 in the Challenge Cup, will be keen to continue their attacking style of play against the Bulls, while the Bulls, who thrashed Stade Francais 48-7 in the Champions Cup, will be looking to maintain their winning momentum.
The Lions, who have struggled with poor form in recent games, seem to have found their rhythm again after their convincing victory over the Dragons. Assistant coach Ricardo Loubscher emphasized the importance of sticking to their strengths and playing their own brand of rugby, especially against a formidable opponent like the Bulls. Loubscher acknowledged that previous encounters with the Bulls have been physical and set piece-dominated, with a significant emphasis on the kicking game. However, he remains confident that the Lions can give themselves a chance to play their style of rugby and secure a much-needed win.
The rivalry between the Lions and the Bulls is always intense, with the Bulls having dominated the URC fixtures between the two teams. The Lions have only managed to beat the Bulls once in the URC, with their sole victory coming at Loftus in the 2022-23 season. Despite their struggles against the Bulls, the Lions came close to causing an upset at Loftus last year and will be determined to put up a strong performance at home this time around.
Reflecting on past encounters with the Bulls, Loubscher highlighted the need for the Lions to focus on executing their game plan effectively and minimizing individual errors. He emphasized the importance of playing to their potential and not allowing the Bulls to dictate the pace and style of play. With the derby match holding personal significance for both teams, Loubscher stressed the need for the Lions to approach the game with a balanced mindset and focus on their strengths.
As the Lions prepare to face off against their arch-rivals, the Bulls, at Ellis Park, fans can expect a fiercely contested battle between two teams eager to claim bragging rights in the cross-Jukskei derby. With both sides in good form and determined to secure a victory, the stage is set for an enthralling URC clash that promises excitement and drama till the final whistle.
