'More mature' Bulls ready to take on challenges of knockouts

WHILE playing a quarter-final at home offers a psychological advantage, the Bulls will know all too well that a victory over Edinburgh is not a fait accompli in the quarter-finals of the United Rugby Championship (URC).

- LEIGHTON KOOPMAN

Despite finishing higher on the official URC log and boasting a formidable record at Loftus Versfeld, the hosts cannot afford to approach the knockout match today (1.30 pm kick-off) under the illusion that victory is guaranteed.

While Edinburgh may have slipped into the playoffs through the back door, play-off rugby is a different beast, and the Scottish side has proven they can grind out results against more fancied opposition and will relish the chance to upset the Pretoria giants on their home turf.

Complacency may be the real enemy for the home side and that is why director of rugby Jake White warned them not to take their opponents lightly.

They will need to show urgency from the first whistle, maintain discipline on the attack and defence, and apply scoreboard pressure early to avoid giving Edinburgh any sniff of an upset.

White selected his strongest available side for the clash, making strategic changes to fortify the side for the onslaught expected from the Scottish side.

Scrumhalf Embrose Papier is back and resumes his budding halfback partnership with flyhalf Keagan Johannes. On their outside, Harold Vorster and David Kriel will man the midfield. The back-three of Willie le Roux and wingers Canan Moodie and Sebastian de Klerk complete an exciting backline.