Cape Town - Bulls forwards coach Anton Leonard says their young pack needs “enforcers” if they are to mount a serious challenge in this year’s Super Rugby competition.
Leonard and former Bulls hooker Gary Botha are tasked with coaching the Bulls forwards this year and they are eager for the glory years to return to Loftus Versfeld.
“It was desperate times when I arrived at the Bulls in 2000. We didn’t even have a sponsor, but four years later we developed into a team that won cups,” Leonard told Netwerk24.
“The current group is more talented and there are several players who will become Springboks in the near future. I’m very excited about the heights that this team can reach.”
The Bulls open their Super Rugby campaign against the Stormers at Newlands on Saturday, February 27.
There they will come up against hardened Springboks like Schalk Burger, Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit - and Leonard knows what he wants from his charges.
“The pack hasn’t had enforcers these last few seasons and it is myself and Gary’s task to resurrect things.
“The Bulls have to inflict pain up front and the challenge is to bring that tradition back.”
Leonard wants the current crop to look up to former Bulls lock Bakkies Botha as their role model.
“In 2001, Bakkies came to Loftus as a flank and no-one knew him. He became a Springbok a year later.
“There are two or three players in the Bulls’ pack who can walk the same road and it will be a big opportunity for them to play against the Stormers.”