Familiar faces await Bulls at Northampton

While the Vodacom Bulls first have to overcome their own travel issues en route to a daunting Investec Champions Cup clash against Northampton Saints on Saturday, a pair of very familiar faces await them when they arrive.

One is former Bulls captain Burger Odendaal, who ended up at the Saints after his previous club, Wasps, closed down last year and he found a new home at the club, while the other is former Stormers eighthman Juarno Augustus.

Both are likely to feature against the Bulls this coming weekend and have become a good talking point ahead of the game.

Bulls scrumhalf Embrose Papier, who is in some of the best form of his life, said both would play a vital part for their opposition ahead of the quarterfinal.

“Burger spent most of his life at the Bulls. He knows exactly how we play and will definitely be giving them some information,” Papier said. “He and Trokkie (Augustus) are both physical players but they can also handle the ball.”

While the travel disadvantage will already be an issue for the Bulls, the way the Saints dismantled URC champions Munster was a telling reminder that the English Premiership log leaders are going to be massive opposition this coming weekend.

“It’s going to be tough. We had a look today at how they play. The travel is going to be tough and it looks like it will be cold and wet, plus we are flying on a Tuesday night.

“Usually when we travel late, we take it slow when we get to England or France. We will relax and do a lot of stretches.

“Northampton are a good side. Usually, people think teams in England or Europe kick the ball a lot, but Northampton can run the ball from everywhere.

“But we also like to run the ball and we are feeling confident after bouncing back nicely from the Leinster game with a strong performance against Lyon.

“After the defeat to Leinster, the guys were down, but we reacted well against Lyon. It’s going to be a physical game. The weather doesn’t look good. I think it will almost be like test rugby,” Papier said.

The scrumhalf said the team that played tactically correct would likely win the knockout game.

“The team that plays in the right areas of the field and takes control of the game will win. Our game management is going to be important. It’s going to be a massive game.

“If we look back at our game against Leinster, we kicked a lot just to make sure we played in the right areas. But if you kick too far or in the middle of the field, teams in the UK will punish you. They are used to playing in these conditions. Consistency with our kicking will be very important whether it is from nine, 10 or 15.”

As with every time he speaks, Papier is asked about his Bok ambitions, which haven’t died yet.

“I am feeling good about my game and that is because I am getting a lot of game time. The coaches are backing me. I am working hard and trying to do my best every weekend. You have to work hard because of the number of quality nines in the country.

“I have to focus on getting better day by day. To get a recall, I will have to be consistent every weekend.”

And if he continues his superb form and the Bulls pull off a remarkable win away from home, it may well be noticed by those higher up.