South African fullback Rhyno Smith says Benetton must believe that they “have what it takes” to make history and beat the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday.
Jake White’s troops host Benetton in a Vodacom URC quarter-final at Loftus Versfeld, and victory for the Herd will clinch them a first semi-final at home next week.
Smith starts for the visitors in an exciting backline that includes Italy right winger Tommaso Menoncello and the returning former All Blacks powerhouse Malakai Fekitoa.
Towering SA lock Eli Snyman is set to make an impact off the bench to a formidable pack powered by captain Michele Lamaro.
The race to the last eight was a fight for the men from Treviso and their battle included a league defeat against the Bulls on the Highveld.
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The Italian outfit know what to expect, and Smith says they will take massive belief from how they fought back in the second half. Benetton scored five tries in the match and finished the game strongly, dotting down twice in the final 15 minutes.
“The first time we didn’t do what we wanted to do. We have to focus on the things we can control: our identity, the kicking game and defensively we have to tackle low,” the former Cheetahs and Sharks playmaker was quoted in the media this week.
“We didn’t do these things last game against the Bulls. However, it will be a match like the others this season.
“We must believe that we have what it takes to win the match. We have 80 minutes to leave everything on the pitch.”
“I grew up in South Africa, I have seen many matches in South Africa and playing at Loftus Versfeld will be special,” Smith added.
“As Benetton, we have never won in Pretoria and the first victory in South Africa came about a month ago against the Sharks.
“It will once again be an opportunity to achieve a historic goal – above all for this reason it must be a special match.”
🦁 La formazione #biancoverde selezionata per affrontare a Pretoria i @BlueBullsRugby
🏆 Quarto di finale playoff @URCOfficial
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— Benetton Rugby 🦁 (@BenettonRugby) June 7, 2024
Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images