While it might be a wet Jukskei derby in Gauteng on Saturday that could affect a fast-paced running game, there is growing excitement about the rematch between the Bulls and Lions in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
All eyes will be on the home side at Loftus Versfeld (2pm kick-off) to see if they can pick up the pieces after a demoralising loss against the Sharks at a place supposed to be their fortress. The Bulls desperately need a win to get their campaign back on track and re-establish their title as South Africa's top side this season.
Yes, they are still in third place on the official URC log, but they let a good chance slip to get closer to the second-placed Glasgow Warriors when they lost. Now, it's all about catching up to the defending champions and Leinster, who is sitting comfortably at the top.
The Lions, boosted by a first win over the Stormers at Ellis Park and more of their players being invited to a Springbok alignment camp, will see their playoff credentials challenged on Saturday. It's all good and well to pull off an upset here and there in the URC, but if they fail to string together two or three wins in a row on South African soil, questions will be asked if they can handle the pressure.
They'll need another 80-minute performance on the attack and defence, especially up front with the forwards, to keep the Bulls out. The Lions can brace themselves for a massive duel in the scrums, the lineouts and ensuing rolling mauls. If they can stop those, the battle should be half-won.
Eskom in full force on match day. ⚡️
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) February 20, 2025
If there was power, Marco was behind it. If there was chaos, he was in the middle of it.#VUpYourSummer | @Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/N1OpzoGVg9
Players to pick and choose from
Speaking about the Springbok alignment camp, head coach Rassie Erasmus has cast his net far and wide to scoop up a contingent of 82 players who will attend the various camps. The bulk of 56 will be in person next month in Cape Town, while virtual sessions will be held with 18 World Cup winners, four capped Boks and some fresh faces on the domestic scene.
What Erasmus and his assistant coaches are cooking up for the new international season - starting in July - will begin to take form with this first get-together in the Mother City.