Jake White: Bulls must find 'that little bit extra' to claim URC glory

The Bulls head into their third URC final in four seasons chasing an elusive title, having fallen short in their previous two attempts. Standing in their way is a battle-hardened Leinster side hungry to lift the trophy on home soil for the first time, with the decider set to take place at a sold-out Croke Park.

Speaking to media on Thursday, White responded to comments from Leinster's Dan Sheehan, who suggested the hosts are more desperate to win. White, however, believes motivation is a given at this level - and the margin for success comes down to something harder to define.

"When you get to a final, everyone's desperate to win - let's be fair," said the 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning coach. "Anyone who says otherwise is being naive. This is our third shot at it, and of course we're desperate. But I think it goes deeper than that - it's about finding that little bit extra when everything's on the line."

The Bulls boast a 4-2 record against Leinster in the URC, including a historic semi-final win in Dublin in 2022. But White and captain Ruan Nortje were quick to downplay the relevance of past results, focusing instead on execution and effort on the day.

"Every Saturday is a new game, every final a new story," said Nortje. "We've travelled well this season - six wins in nine overseas games - and the group has really come together on the road. We'll give it everything, that's all we can do."

White made just one enforced change to the starting XV that defeated the Sharks in last week's semi-final, with Marco van Staden stepping in for the injured Cameron Hanekom. Van Staden brings a different profile to the back row, offering specialist breakdown skills in contrast to Hanekom's more all-round influence.

"It's a shift in balance," White admitted. "Marco's a World Cup winner, he's been in big matches, and he's up against Josh van der Flier - a world-class opponent he knows well. I've probably spent more time praying for rain this week than planning strategy," he joked, underscoring the tactical adjustments needed.

The only other change sees Nizaam Carr join the bench, rounding out a matchday 23 that White says reflects the strongest group currently available.

"This is what you aim for - having your best players ready for the final stretch," he said. "We're in that position now, and we've got to make it count."

Leinster, who thrashed Glasgow in the semi-finals, are stacked with international talent - including 12 British & Irish Lions and a full complement of Ireland regulars. White is under no illusions about the scale of the challenge.

"They've got 23 internationals starting, and that's only because they can't play more," he said. "They are the benchmark - but we've come a long way. This team has grown massively over the last four years."

As one of South Africa's most decorated clubs - with three Super Rugby titles and a record 25 Currie Cups - the Bulls are no strangers to big stages. But a URC title still eludes them, and White believes Saturday is about more than just correcting past near-misses.

"It's not just about redemption," he said. "It's about showing how far we've come. Finals are won by fine margins - the team that wants it most, and is prepared to go that little bit further, usually gets their reward."

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