Bulls to bring the 'lus' back

NO HOLDS BARRED: The desire to watch rugby, after a five-month 'drought', may see Loftus Versfeld packet once again.

South Africa's domestic competition - with the Currie Cup back in favour - is scheduled to finally get underway on October 10.

Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White, in his weekly video chat on the Bulls' mobile app, said winning is key to having full stadiums.

However, the COVID-19-enforced lockdown may well assist in getting people back to the stadiums.

"I just hope that when we return, people will be so 'lus' to come and watch us play and 'lus' to watch live rugby again in this rugby town, that the people will return to Loftus," he said.

With the competition running into January, the question of the impact of the summer conditions also came up.

"It is wonderful to play over Christmas and New Year," White said, adding: "When I coached in France they played on New Year's Day and Boxing Day.

"It is new for South African supporters, but it is wonderful. Imagine having a Christmas lunch and then getting up on Boxing Day to watch rugby.

"It will be wonderful for the supporters to watch live rugby on January 2 as well."

As for the conditions, he said the guys that played Super Rugby in Japan, where it is very hot, will have some experience on how to handle it.

"Having also played in other competitions around the world, you have to adapt to the conditions.

"[It could be] nice quick-paced games, nice hard field and nice sunshine.

"Hopefully we will also see some exciting rugby."

He also discussed his options at scrumhalf, with two Springboks at his disposal - Embrose Papier & Ivan van Zyl.

White said it is always great to have two international scrumhalves with differing styles.

"One has great running ability and the other has great passing ability," the 2007 World Cup-winning former Springbok coach said.

He said who plays in a particular match will be decided by the opposition and the conditions.

"There is a role for both in the team.

"What is nice is that they are so uniquely different.

"It helps us in terms of game analysis and also not being predictable when we play certain teams."

Source: Bulls mobile app