Exeter Chiefs are out to consolidate their status as one of the top-ranked sides in the Champions Cup pool stage when they take on the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday.
The 2020 champions are currently second in Pool A, having claimed a bonus-point victory against the Vodacom Bulls in Exeter in round two.
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However, the Vodacom Bulls side that plays at Loftus Versfeld could have a very different look to it, with many of the Springboks that sat out the trip to England in December set to return to Champions Cup action.
The challenge of playing a stronger Vodacom Bulls side and experiencing Pretoria for the first time is something that stimulates Exeter head coach Ali Hepher, especially with the potential of securing home-ground advantage in the knockout rounds on offer.
“It’s hugely exciting,” Hepher told the Champions Cup website. “It’s a different competition, a different climate, a different country, but it’s something to really enjoy.
“For us, though, it’s a massive opportunity at the end of next week to push our claims for top seedings later in the tournament. It’s an opportunity for us to really go after things.
“It will be tough, we know that, but it’s a chance to test ourselves against the best. It will be good to put ourselves up against one of the best and see where we are at.”
Exeter are, however, expected to be without star hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, who scored a hat-trick of tries in the reverse fixture against Vodacom Bulls, after the England international picked up an injury in the 35-12 win over Northampton Saints in the Gallagher Premiership last Saturday.
“It’s too early to say what has happened,” said Hepher. “Any time you see Luke leaving the field, you worry, because he’s a tough player.
“Right now, he’s sore and we will just have to wait and see what the scans say. It didn’t look great, but we will know more once he’s been properly checked out.”
