They may be travelling with the weight of expectation, but the Vodacom Bulls are focused on the task at hand ahead of Saturday’s Rainbow Cup final against Benetton Treviso.
The Bulls arrived in the sweltering humid Treviso on Tuesday and set about getting themselves focused for the upcoming game.
And while there is a lot of excitement in being the first South African side to travel abroad since Covid hit the sport 15 months ago, captain Marcell Coetzee was adamant the Bulls have a singular focus this week.
“There is a lot of excitement in the camp, it is awesome to travel overseas. There is a lot of energy for the game on the weekend,” Coetzee said.
“If you asked me four weeks ago if I was to be in this situation I would have laughed, but it is a great opportunity that has presented itself. You are with a bunch of guys who are mentally so hungry for success and that will help our preparation.”
But while the excitement of touring again is massive, the Bulls know the threat that Treviso offer.
“I think the main thing stays the main thing. You have another opportunity to hoist a trophy this weekend and the mindset is about building around that, focusing all our energies on that. Maybe if we can create an inspiration for other teams that is great.
“We have been watching Treviso and have been analysing their games, they’ve been doing well and have some personnel that are doing exceptionally well for them. It may just come down to that then.”
And fuelling that is the excitement Coetzee speaks about, even though there is a stark realisation that all eyes are on them to represent South African rugby.
“We brought the excitement with that, everyone was keen to hop on the plane and explore other horizons as well. There is a great energy among the group at the moment, but it is not a holiday and we’re looking forward to the opportunity that is presenting itself. The main thing must stay the main thing and if we can get our preparations right we can come home with some silverware.”
Treviso are a dangerous side and accounted for Connacht and Glasgow Warriors in their surprising surge towards the final. The Bulls know that, and know they can’t judge Benetton by the standards of Italy on the test stage.
“They play a high tempo game. You can see with their ball carries they put quick tempo on the game and it is something we will have to adapt to very quickly. Coming here in summertime, it is hot and we need to get out there and adapt to that. They have a good setpiece and they have really been a side that have changed a lot since I last played them,” Coetzee said.
And while excitement turns to focus, the Bulls know the opportunity they have at the moment is bigger than just a single game or a final. They are South Africa’s first representatives in Europe in what is set to become a bigger partnership with the United Rugby Championship.
And they know the main thing needs to be the main thing.