A Vodacom Bulls front-rower has been ruled out for the rest of the Currie Cup, while a key loose forward is in doubt for Sunday’s clash against the Boland Cavaliers in Wellington.
Coach Phiwe Nomlomo confirmed on Tuesday that loosehead prop Dylan Smith suffered a tournament-ending injury in last weekend’s 41-7 defeat to the Pumas at Loftus Versfeld, while No 8 Jeandre Rudolph picked up a “niggle”.
The Bulls went into the Pumas match as favourites after convincing wins over Western Province and the Sharks, but had to deal with disruptions in the build-up, with several players joining the URC squad and late changes to the match 23.
Nomlomo is expecting another stern test from giant-killing Boland, who are playing in the Currie Cup Premier Division for the first time since 2016 and have already beaten the Cheetahs and Lions at home.
“Every game from now on is going to be a massive test,” said Nomlomo. “We’ve got footage on everyone now, and they’ve got footage on us, so preparation is more detailed.
Against Boland, it’s a bit more personal. They’re our brothers on the other side [of the country], so there’s a bit of extra niggle when you play against family,” he added, referring to the fact that Bulls owners Johann Rupert and Patrice Motsepe are also majority shareholders in Boland. “It’s not about bragging rights, but there’s definitely something extra in it this time.”
When asked if Boland’s players would be motivated to prove a point in a bid to earn Bulls contracts, Nomlomo replied: “I don’t necessarily think that will be the case. I think it’s to prove a point that they have arrived and they belong on this stage. They’ve got massive cohesion and play for their community, so there’s something much bigger driving them.”
Nomlomo said the Bulls would be ready for the conditions and the occasion in Wellington.
“The weather will do what it does – if it’s windy or wet, we have to adjust. We’ve got players who grew up in Boland and know what the environment is like when the crowd gets going. They’ve even got a band and horses there now – it’s busy – so we need to be ready for everything.
“Boland are sharp. Louis Schreuder at scrumhalf is a seasoned campaigner, fresh from winning the Premiership with Bath. They won’t shy away from what’s made them so good at home, and we’ll need to be prepared for anything they throw at us.”
