Ruan Vermaak says the Vodacom Bulls won’t “fall asleep” against a quality Glasgow Warriors outfit when the teams clash in the URC final at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Jake White’s charges fought tooth and nail against Leinster in a thrilling Vodacom URC semi-final last week, scoring three tries and overcame a first-half yellow card to snatch a 25-20 victory in Pretoria.
Glasgow converted a 7-3 half-time lead against Munster in Limerick into a 17-10 win to book a place in the finale, and set up a titanic rematch with the Bulls at Loftus where the Scottish visitors had lost earlier in the league stage.
The hosts raced to a 37-10 lead in the second half before Glasgow rallied to score three late tries, the Bulls surviving the fightback to win 40-34.
Speaking in a Bulls conference on Tuesday, Vermaak acknowledged the all-round threat posed by Franco Smith’s troops while emphasising the importance of staying focused until the final whistle.
“Glasgow definitely want to outmuscle their opponents, so that’s one factor we’ll make sure we’re up for. They’re a good running side as well, good backs, so that’s another thing we have to be sharp on this weekend,” the lock told reporters.
“And special plays, just to make sure they don’t catch us sleeping. We’re expecting a well-rounded team but will be prepared for whatever they throw at us.
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“Our mindset has changed over the last couple of weeks that we don’t fall asleep after 60 minutes. Take the Glasgow game, and Benetton as well; we got into quite a comfortable lead and that last 20 minutes we got a bit complacent.
“It’s something we’ve worked on that if we’re in that position again, we take it all the way and not take our foot off the gas. We’ll make sure we don’t get caught in that same trap again.”
It will be a second URC final appearance for the Bulls in three seasons, and their first final at Loftus since 2009 where they beat the Chiefs in the Super Rugby decider.
Vermaak, though, is well aware that the job’s not done but is confident the team have enough left in the tank to get over the line.
“Last week was massive for us as a team and union, but it’s all mental now … that’s the biggest challenge. To make sure we’re still up for the game on Saturday,” he said.
“There’s going to be a lot of stuff in the media but we’ll make sure we’re focused and ready.
“For games like this, and with a coach like Jake who has been in finals and knows what’s needed – for a lot of us youngsters it’s our first time – we take whatever advice he and the seniors give us.
“We definitely back ourselves; we’re at home and if you have 55,000 people backing you, you’ll be confident – but we’re not going to be complacent in any way. Glasgow are a quality side and it’s going to be an awesome and tough battle, and one that we’re really looking forward to.”
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