Vodacom Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee expects a stern challenge against a “very dangerous” Scarlets side on Saturday.
The Bulls have not beaten the Welsh outfit at their Parc y Scarlets Stadium in Llanelli in two previous visits. The hosts won 37-28 in the 2022-23 season and 23-22 last season.
“They’re a team that stays in the fight until the very last minute,” Coetzee said of the Scarlets, who are 14th on the log. “If you’re ill-disciplined or allow them into your half, they capitalise. That makes them very dangerous.
“We have always come up short against them, so the motivation is definitely there and there is everything to play for.”
The Bulls beat the Dragons 47-7 last Friday to remain eighth, but are only a point ahead of Connacht with three rounds remaining.
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“We are still under pressure. This is a massive game for us and we are approaching it with the greatest respect. We know it won’t be easy,” said Coetzee.
The Bulls have been in Europe since the beginning of April, first for their last-16 Investec Champions Cup clash against the Glasgow Warriors, and then the URC fixtures against the Dragons and Scarlets.
“On long tours, it can creep in where you start longing for home, but the guys’ mentality is very good at the moment,” said Coetzee. “It was addressed by coach Ackers [Johan Ackermann] earlier in the week.
“The biggest motivation is that we’ve never won there. It keeps you humble and provides extra motivation to train harder, be sharper and do our homework better.”
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Fellow forward Marco van Staden stressed the importance of consistency in a congested log.
“Every match from now on is extremely important,” he said. “Teams are within five or six points of each other, from positions three to nine. If you come up short in one match then it will cost you.
“We must try to get maximum points from every game and try to stay in that top eight.”
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Coetzee believes recent pressure has hardened the squad.
“The last few weeks have basically been knockout rugby for us. It forces everyone to be at their sharpest,” he said.
“There are still areas to improve, but how the players have handled the pressure has been very pleasing.”
Photo: Kian Abdullah/Gallo Images
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