Nortje, Van Staden expected back to boost Bulls

The Vodacom Bulls will be looking to put together their strongest pack of the season when they face Glasgow Warriors in a massive Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash at Loftus Versfeld this Saturday

With the sunny weather looking to be in their favour for a fast-paced game to try and utilise the altitude and run the Warriors off their feet, the Bulls will also be looking forward to welcoming their captain Ruan Nortje back alongside World Cup winner Marco van Staden.

Both players have been sidelined for more than a month now, but with the extra week off because of EPCR competitions, both are expected to return and strengthen the pack ahead of the big encounter.

With Glasgow topping the URC, and the Bulls fourth, and just three rounds left in the championship, every win is exceptionally important. The Bulls already secured their spot in the quarterfinals (as well as next season’s Investec Champions Cup) with their big win over the Ospreys last time out.

Now they face the top side in the competition and the result will be crucial in terms of jockeying for positions ahead of the playoff rounds.

SMITH'S ATTACKING DNA

Franco Smith is no stranger to South Africa and has won on several occasions with other teams at Loftus Versfeld before, as well as spending a large part of his playing career in Pretoria. He also preaches an attacking DNA and will relish the opportunity on a warm day to give the ball some air.

The Bulls will know a large part of their success revolves around their pack being direct and physical, thereby opening space for their attacking backs to have a go. It is no secret recipe but it has given them the best attacking record in the competition with the most tries scored.

Nortje has grown in stature as a captain and his workrate is exceptional for the Bulls. With the loss of Marcell Coetzee, his co-captain, Nortje has been a huge part of the team’s success and his return will be a massive boost.

Van Staden’s jackling qualities are well known and the no-nonsense approach for the World Cup winner was a loss when he had a knee injury some six weeks ago. But his return will allow the Bulls the luxury of choices in their loose trio. The likes of Elrigh Louw will be freed up to play his work-rate game and the choices between Cameron Hanekom, Celimpilo Gumede and Jannes Kirsten (who made a cameo appearance against Ospreys) will give Director of Rugby Jake White a lot of food for thought.

There are other considerations. Johan Goosen remains banned and the backline that fired against Ospreys are likely to be retained, although there may be something in Glasgow’s armour that necessitates a rethink.

But for now, on the back of a week off and with his team firing, White is looking forward to hosting the Scottish side.

And with Nortje and Van Staden back they will be more than confident.