Jake: Bulls need to give a little bit extra to get past Leinster in final

THE Bulls will be just as desperate, if not more than their opponents Leinster, to win Saturday's United Rugby Championship (URC) final in Dublin.

- LEIGHTON KOOPMAN

Playing in their third final, director of rugby Jake White knows just how important the clash at Croke Park (6pm SA time start) will be as they look to claim a maiden URC title after failing with their two attempts in South Africa.

White, at this stage of the season, was in the fortunate position of making only one forced change to his starting side on Thursday, with Springbok Marcell Coetzee taking over the No 8 jersey after the injury to Cameron Hanekom.

World Cup winner Marco van Staden will start at openside flank as Coetzee makes a positional switch from the side of the scrum.

There is also one change on the bench, with Springbok loose forward ing as well as the other number eights, and that doesn't mean he was playing badly. Sometimes you have guys of Springbok standard, like Evan, but other guys are ahead of them, or we have guys that can fit into the position in question. For instance, we have Kwagga Smith who can play number eight. It can also be a case of the guys we pick fit in better with what we are trying to do.”

Nizaam Carr taking his place amongst the replacements, with Van Staden promoted to the starting XV.

“What all teams hope is to put their best team forward for the final three weeks of the season,” White said on Thursday.

“If you want to have a fair crack, you must have your best available, and these players are our best players.