Bulls’ secret advantage heading into Munster URC quarter-final

The Bulls head into their United Rugby Championship quarter-final clash against Munster knowing that the pressure is about to ramp up significantly.

Playing at Loftus Versfeld, the Bulls will be the favourites for the clash, but they won’t write off a Munster side that was forced to fight to the final league match to secure their own playoff spot.

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That pressure, however, isn’t something that worries Bulls skipper Marcell Coetzee.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Coetzee said the Bulls have been under pressure all season due to a poor run of form early in the competition.

That, Coetzee said, has prepared them perfectly for the knockouts.

“Throughout the season, we were under pressure,” the Bulls loose forward admitted.

“That kind of forced us to be in a knockout mindset every week.

“We kind of found our mojo through those challenges.”

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The Bulls know that when it comes to playoff rugby, building pressure on the opposition is a must, something that Coetzee acknowledged.

The Bulls have a slow poison option in their arsenal, so expect to see it on Saturday, although Coetzee said they will be expansive when they need to be.

“Playoff rugby is a lot more like Test rugby in mentality,” said Coetzee.

“There’ll be opportunities to throw the ball around, but there will also be opportunities to slow it down and build pressure.”

Coetzee believes that in Willie le Roux and Handré Pollard, the Bulls have the perfect players to drive their game in the playoffs by taking the right options at the right time.

“If you think of Handré and Willie, those are guys who have won World Cups. It’s just that experience and calm they bring to the group,” Coetzee added.

Saturday’s match in Pretoria kicks off at 13:00.

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Bulls Marcell Coetzee Munster Rugby United Rugby Championship