Bulls must beware underdog bite from Cardiff in URC showdown

A team in a desperate situation heading to Loftus Versfeld to take on the Bulls can be a dangerous one.

That is what the home side would’ve learned from their meeting with the Stormers in February in Pretoria, when the men from the Cape needed to snap a two-match losing streak against their arch-rivals in the United Rugby Championship (URC).

The Stormers won 19-16, and they turned the corner towards the playoff thanks to that underdog-status victory at Loftus.

Cardiff, like the Cape side, arrived in Pretoria this week as the overwhelming underdogs for Saturday’s clash at Loftus (4pm kick-off).

Still hunting a playoff spot, they will be a desperate team to record a victory on foreign soil as they push to stay in the top eight.

That should be warning enough for the Jake White-coached outfit that things won’t come easy, no matter how much momentum they carry from invaluable away wins a couple of weekends ago.

Yes, they’ve been magnificent in their victories against Munster and the defending champions the Glasgow Warriors, underpinning their status as favourites for Saturday’s clash.

But it is no time for them to drop the baton now, especially as they are building towards that home playoff.

A victory should secure a top-three finish because they play bottom-dwellers Dragons in the final round next weekend.

So, getting that all-important bonus point victory against Cardiff on Saturday will be crucial.

That single point could propel them into second place on the overall log should the Warriors run into trouble in Italy against Benetton.

The desperation factor driving the Welsh team could be a stumbling block, though.

That is why accuracy on defence and attack will be critical components for a Bulls victory.

The second part to them getting a successful outcome is their discipline – something that’s been improving as the season progressed.

Yes, there will be the odd penalty here and there, but they know if they give Cardiff any look-in with soft penalties, it could be a long day at the office.

The week of rest after that month-long tour would also have come at the right time for them.

Mentally, the victories in Limerick and Glasgow would’ve taken their toll, and some time with family should’ve done them the world of good to refresh ahead of that push to the playoffs.

White will probably mix and match his squad again – he’s arguably been the most successful SA coach to do that this season.

Some changes are expected upfront, and a more mobile loose trio could be the key to unlocking the defence of Cardiff.

The prowess and calm head of Willie le Roux at fullback could be the driving force behind their attack.

But they should be wary of overplaying and looking to get their crowd pumped up on Saturday.

Often in the past that hasn’t worked out entirely for them, so it will be a balancing act.

They’ll have to find that equilibrium when it comes to swinging the magic passes out wide and when to keep the ball tight to go forward.

This will be the first of two dress rehearsals for the quarter-finals, and the Bulls must put their best foot forward to be prepared for what’s to come in the playoffs.