Back in the driving seat after his emergency operation, Jake White is hoping the massive crowd at Loftus Versfeld drives the Vodacom Bulls to victory in the north-south derby on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports.
It doesn’t get much bigger than a match against the DHL Stormers for White’s first game back after an operation saved him from a life-threatening health scare.
TEAM: Nkosi completes Bulls return
The director of rugby was full of beans when he addressed the media at Loftus Versfeld on Friday afternoon.
“I missed it a lot,” he said. “It wasn’t nice watching from a distance. I’m healthy and feeling good. I had shingles in the final last season and wasn’t at my best, then I got Covid over Christmas. It’s the first time going into a big game in a while that I’m healthy and feeling good.”
When asked whether he has cooked up any trick plays to surprise the Stormers, White answered: “Yes, 40 000 people. I’ve got 40 000 people.”
A packed crowd is expected at Loftus Versfeld and they will have plenty to watch as White has named a Vodacom Bulls lineup that includes returning wing Sbu Nkosi, back after his struggles with his mental health.
Nkosi will play next to outside centre Wandisile Simelane, while David Kriel has been named to start at fullback. An experienced bench of Springbok backs includes Morne Steyn, who will make his 150th appearance, with Lionel Mapoe and Embrose Papier.
“It’s not a case of punishing Sbu. He needs to get back on the horse as soon as possible,” White said. “He’s a World Cup winner. He just adds energy. I think he will play well tomorrow. It’s also nice for Wandi to have him.
“David has played lots of rugby at fullback. We have Morne and Lionel on the bench, plus Embrose. That’s three Springboks on the bench. We are confident that our makeup is what we need.
“There’s not given time that Sbu had to be out of the game. I am without doubt that he is prepared to play, he wants to play and will be good for us tomorrow.”
URC PICKS: Bulls, Sharks charge to derby glory
For White, this weekend’s north-south derby feels like the old days, with plenty riding on the result. The Vodacom Bulls trail the Stormers by 10 points and a loss could see them out of the race for the South African shield.
“I’ve got to be careful because I don’t want it to be misinterpreted. In my time here as director of rugby, the biggest games have been against the Sharks. But this one is a little bit like it used to be. There’s lots on it and there’s a big crowd coming. Our backs are against the wall. All I hear is that we have never beaten them in the URC, and that we have lost four in a row.
“We will do our best to make our supporters proud and give the north-south derby the kudos it deserves. In my time here, this is the biggest this game has been.”
The work-ons that could see the Vodacom Bulls turn narrow losses against the Stormers from previous derbies into wins are simple for White.
“We need to finish and be accurate. We need to play for 80 mins. We were 13-13 in December and let them score back-to-back tries. They are like that to be fair, they can punish you from anywhere. Manie [Libbok] is on fire, he is the form flyhalf. It’s a simple thing, we have to concentrate for 80 minutes. We are good enough if we stay switched on for the full game.
“It’s a must-win game. When I’ve pushed the button with this team, and they have to produce, they’ve done that.”
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Photo: ©INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/Steve Haag