Bulls braced for fired-up Munster test in Pretoria

Bulls braced for fired-up Munster test in Pretoria

Bulls lock Cobus Wiese expects a strong response from Munster when the sides meet in their round 14 United Rugby Championship clash in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon.

The match kicks off at 2pm at Loftus Versfeld, with both teams chasing crucial points in the playoff race.

Wiese says Munster will want to prove a point after their heavy 45-nil defeat to the Sharks last weekend and will arrive highly motivated to bounce back.

"Munster are obviously a top Irish side. They are a well coached team, and I think they will want to stay in the fight at Loftus.

"We know it's going to be a massive challenge because they are going to come out wanting to prove a point after their loss to the Sharks."

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The Bulls head into the encounter on the back of a convincing 40-7 victory over Cardiff in Pretoria, where they dominated the first half and crossed the line six times. 

Despite the emphatic result, Wiese admits there were lapses in intensity after the break, with the team losing structure and accuracy in key moments. 

"When you have momentum it sometimes easy to go out of your structure and that's where the discipline of the team has to kick in to keep the pressure on.

"We could've finished Cardiff off better than we did, but it's definitely something we've worked on."

Munster have struggled for consistency this season, losing six of their last eight matches, and will be eager to turn things around at Loftus. 

The Bulls, however, will take confidence from their narrow 16-13 win in Limerick last year, which made history as the first victory by a South African side over Munster on Irish soil. Wiese believes matching Munster’s urgency and physical approach, particularly up front, will be key to securing another result.

"Any team coming to Loftus wants to make a statement, and its a tale as old as time that if you dominate the forwards you are going to win the game or at least put yourself in a good position.

"For me personally, and as a pack of forwards, we have to pride ourselves on being physical."

Munster will be strengthened by the return of several Ireland internationals ahead of the clash. 

Scrumhalf Craig Casey, prop Jeremy Loughman and flyhalf Jack Crowley have all rejoined the squad and trained earlier this week in Cape Town. 

Wiese adds that their presence makes Munster a far more formidable challenge.