Vodacom Bulls coach Jake White had a simple message for his side ahead of Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Champiosnhip final: “Do what you did last week”.
White said that the way the Bulls had played in their semifinal victory against Irish juggernaut Leinster had paved the way for their first home final in the URC and they needed to make the most of it, especially with Loftus Versfeld being sold out for the game.
🚨 Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby fans, we have a message for you:
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) June 21, 2024
SOUND ON! 🔊#BKTURC #URC | #BULvGLA #GrandFinal pic.twitter.com/8MwNvtZgrv
White also trotted in legendary former Bulls, such as Bakkies Botha and former captain Thys Lourens to speak to players this week. And every time the message was the same: Do what you do well.
That mantra has been drummed into the side as they look to cope with the pressure of their first home final and take the one step needed to win silverware and reward their faithful fans at the same time.
“The most important message for me was just do what you did last week. I think they showed last week when they played what they could do. And the way they played was good enough to beat a team like Leinster, who have been in three European Cup finals,” White said.
“There is no secret remedy. It is a final, you just have to do the things that you do well. Especially last week, it was outstanding.”
White said he knew the message was the right one because the same message came from the likes of Botha and Lourens - the latter who won seven out of eight Currie Cup finals he captained the Bulls in.
“The message is always the same. Just do the things you do well, and the rest will look after itself.That’s what I am going to try and push for the next 24 hours. We just have to do what we did well the whole year and that will be enough. That is enough for me.
“Then everyone will understand we gave it a good go.”
White was ecstatic at the fact the stadium was sold out, and said that whatever Glasgow Warriors may have encountered on the way to the final, they were going to face a very different crowd on Saturday.
“Playing the Crusaders or Chiefs in the final is something else, especially when Loftus is sold out. Unless you have been here, you have no idea. I tried to explain to people as well that I’ve been here with Springbok games, but it is different when there are 53000 Bulls supporters. It is one thing to come for a test match when there are visiting fans, and while it may not be 50-50, there still is an element of support for another team.
“I’ve heard from everyone involved that when you play in a final and it is sold out it is an incredible experience. I would think it is a massive advantage for the players, for the psyche.
“People ask what are you going to say, well, I don’t have to say anything. When you’ve experienced that. Those people are going to be here from 2pm when the Springboks play Wales and by the time we kick off this place will be going crazy.
“It is something that we have worked hard for, we have been a bit fortunate to get a home final this year, but when you do get an opportunity like this you have to make sure you use it in your favour and play as well as you can.”
And White is hoping the simple message, spurred on by some passionate fans, may be enough to get them over the last hurdle.