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Pretoria – Bakkies Botha pleaded guilty on the charge of his elbow making contact with the face of Waratahs flank Phil Waugh, but the Bulls did not expect a three-week suspension.
After taking legal advice, the Bulls decided not to appeal.
“It’s over. The focus is now simply on the Brumbies and what we need to do to get points there,” Bulls coach Frans Ludeke told Sport24.
Ludeke admits that the loss of both his Springbok locks – Botha and Victor Matfield – has presented an unexpected obstacle.
Matfield has gone home to be with his wife, Monja, for the birth of their second child.
The Bulls will have to adapt in their approach against the Brumbies.
That includes two props on their bench, while Deon Stegmann’s selection as substitute is also a pointer to a plan of sustained pressure against the Brumbies.
“The choice of two props worked well for us against the Waratahs and plugged the gaps later on. We will need to do that even more against the Brumbies, who keep the ball alive.”
The Bulls also have a plan to keep Mark Gerrard in check.
“His positional play is outstanding and he has a remarkable ability to see space on the field and play in it,” said Ludeke.
Bulls skipper Fourie du Preez singled out George Smith as a danger man.
“He is an experienced campaigner, but if enough of our players pitch at the breakdowns, it won’t be that easy for him,” said Du Preez.
The Bulls will not stop their tactic of high balls on their opponents.
“We know what works for us and what we need to do to win. One of the aspects is playing rugby in the right areas. Another is to finish when we get opportunities,” said the 27-year-old scrumhalf.
Pretoria – Bakkies Botha pleaded guilty on the charge of his elbow making contact with the face of Waratahs flank Phil Waugh, but the Bulls did not expect a three-week suspension.
After taking legal advice, the Bulls decided not to appeal.
“It’s over. The focus is now simply on the Brumbies and what we need to do to get points there,” Bulls coach Frans Ludeke told Sport24.
Ludeke admits that the loss of both his Springbok locks – Botha and Victor Matfield – has presented an unexpected obstacle.
Matfield has gone home to be with his wife, Monja, for the birth of their second child.
The Bulls will have to adapt in their approach against the Brumbies.
That includes two props on their bench, while Deon Stegmann’s selection as substitute is also a pointer to a plan of sustained pressure against the Brumbies.
“The choice of two props worked well for us against the Waratahs and plugged the gaps later on. We will need to do that even more against the Brumbies, who keep the ball alive.”
The Bulls also have a plan to keep Mark Gerrard in check.
“His positional play is outstanding and he has a remarkable ability to see space on the field and play in it,” said Ludeke.
Bulls skipper Fourie du Preez singled out George Smith as a danger man.
“He is an experienced campaigner, but if enough of our players pitch at the breakdowns, it won’t be that easy for him,” said Du Preez.
The Bulls will not stop their tactic of high balls on their opponents.
“We know what works for us and what we need to do to win. One of the aspects is playing rugby in the right areas. Another is to finish when we get opportunities,” said the 27-year-old scrumhalf.
