Daunting task awaits Bulls in Durban

SPOTLIGHT: The Bulls are wary of the task that awaits them in Durban against the Sharks on Friday.

Director of Rugby Jake White believes his team will be involved in a "Test match" against a side with no fewer than nine Springboks and additional other players who have been involved in international duty.

"I said to the players that we get to play all these good sides – we played the South Africa 'A' team this year, and now it seems like we will be playing the Springboks this weekend," said White, ahead of the SA derby.

"The Sharks have nine Springboks back, they have a Scottish international, a Samoan international and an Australian international.

"It does not get much tougher than that. The Sharks, playing at home, with all those international players will be massive for us.

"I can tell you; we are very excited that we will get to measure ourselves against what is essentially an international side now again. There’s a bit of a buzz, it’s like a Test match for us."

Despite having had matches against European opposition – Munster and Scarlets – postponed, the Bulls are eager to take on the talented Durban side in a repeat of the previous two Currie Cup finals.

"We have been growing slowly in the past 18 months or so, and we look forward to seeing where we are against a team that has guys like Bongi [Mbonambi], Ox [Nche], Lukhanyo [Am], Siya [Kolisi] and Makazole Mapimpi – guys who have played against England in a re-match of the World Cup Final a couple of weeks ago," said White.

"So, it’s a massive test for us to see where we are – whether we are good enough to handle that sort of pressure going into an away game against a star-studded Sharks side that also includes a Samoan international [OJ Noa], an Australian international [Ben Tapuai] and a Scottish international [Dylan Richardson]."

The Bulls will announce their team for the United Rugby Championship clash on Thursday.