Liebenberg says Springbok presence raises standards at Bulls

The returning national team stars made an immediate impact over the weekend, playing an influential role in the Bulls’ emphatic 57-15 victory over the Lions in their United Rugby Championship derby at Loftus Versfeld. Liebenberg says the experience and quality of the Springboks help raise standards within the squad, while strong performances from the rest of the players create healthy competition for places.

"I don't think I would say it's pressure. I think having Springboks on your team lifts the standard, and therefore I have to lift mine as a non-Springbok player as well. I think it's good competition for them and for us. They set the benchmark, and we've almost got to follow that. I think if we play well, we test them, so they've got to be better players at the end of the day as well. I don't think it's pressure; I think it's pressure for the coach who is selecting the team. I think that's the pressure," said Liebenberg.

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Liebenberg believes sharing the field and training alongside established Springbok internationals can also improve his own performances and potentially strengthen his chances of earning national recognition. The Bulls skipper says having players of that calibre in the squad creates an environment where everyone is constantly challenged to improve, with the benefits extending beyond individual ambitions to the overall performance of the team.

Despite the convincing scoreline, Liebenberg admits the Bulls needed time to establish control against their Gauteng rivals, who made a competitive start to the encounter. However, the captain was particularly pleased with how his side responded after finding their rhythm, making the most of their attacking opportunities to gradually take the game away from the visitors.

Liebenberg, who also marked his birthday with the derby victory on Saturday, says the Bulls had prepared extensively for the physical challenge posed by the Lions. Their preparations focused particularly on the visitors’ strengths at the set pieces, including their scrum and driving maul, which have traditionally been important weapons in their game. The Bulls captain believes his side handled those threats effectively, with their defensive discipline in securing a commanding victory at Loftus Versfeld.