It was a different venue as the final theatre of Vodacom URC conflict in this year’s edition of the competition has switched to Croke Park, but the Vodacom Bulls shouldn’t have had to search too hard for inspiration as they go in quest of their first title in the competition.
Of course, they could look at what happened at the AVIVA Stadium just under two weeks ago. Leinster won their semifinal against the DHL Stormers, but the Bulls’ South African rivals did provide a strong template of what needs to be done.
Suffocating, physical defence had the Leinster backs become more and more error ridden, with flyhalf Sam Prendergast taking the ball deeper and deeper and thus making the usually threatening Leinster attacking game more and more benign.
The slow poison aspect of the Stormers approach appeared to have worked and heading towards the last 10 minutes it looked like it might be the visitors in the ascendancy as Leinster looked out on their feet. Only for the Stormers to concede a crazy red card, and it was a definite red, it was just the act that was crazy, and blow their opportunity to set up a final for Cape Town.
BEST CHANCE IS TO WIN UGLY
The Stormers did show their fierce rivals what to do, and it would appear that their best chance of winning a game they go into as underdogs is to win ugly. In other words break the Leinster rhythm and prevent momentum before it can even start by making it a stop start and set piece dominated game.
However, there are question marks over the Bulls’ ability to reinvent their defensive system to replicate the incredible line speed that made life so difficult for Leinster at the AVIVA and had them sighing with relief rather than celebrating joyously at the final whistle.
The Bulls’ defensive system tends to be more passive and it is why many are predicting a higher points aggregate for this game than was the case in the low scoring semifinal.
Some bookies are offering odds on there being more than 48 points scored in the game. If that happens, you have to think that it will be Leinster, with their impressive phase play attack against a team that at times has a porous defence, who will end up retaining the trophy they won against these opponents 12 months ago.
But there was another game played in the not too distant past on Dublin soil that the Bulls should be drawing on given their strengths. On 23 November last year the Springboks went into a test match at the Aviva Stadium with the singular intention of bullying Ireland into submission in the set pieces, meaning on that occasion the scrums.
SCARS OF BOK MAULING MAY STILL BE LINGERING
They got it right and you get the impression that the scars of that experience are still lingering for Irish rugby, with several of the international players in the Leinster team. Stormers coach John Dobson said it at the post-match press conference after the semifinal, “I felt we got the better of the scrums tonight and the Bulls have a pack that can definitely hurt Leinster.”
Indeed, Wilco Louw is going to be a big player for the Bulls if they are to win, and Jan-Hendrik Wessels too. The depth they have at forward is one area where the Bulls may have an edge on their almost international strength opponents.
However, while it has become a standard selection for the Bulls, and Wilco Louw is even a standard impact player at the Springboks, the Bulls may find they have made a mistake in replicating that formula for the decider.
Leinster pride themselves on their fast starts and on getting an early foothold. By contrast the Bulls started slowly against Glasgow and were 21-3 behind at the end of the third quarter. If Leinster, who had all the ball in the first quarter of their game against the Stormers, get that far ahead there is unlikely to be any comeback from the Bulls against a team that has Jacques Nienaber as defence coach.
Update from Captain Marcel.@Vodacom #URC | @URCOfficial_RSA pic.twitter.com/df21lP6rrT
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) June 18, 2026
BULLS NEED TO BE CLEAR ABOUT THEIR PLAN
Francois Klopper might be the more mobile option at tighthead, but given how the match will need to be won by the Bulls, and they did it with telling effect in their Loftus semifinal against Leinster two seasons ago, it might have better suited their need to have Louw on the field wreaking his havoc at the scrums and making a statement from the start.
Which speaks to a wider issue that the Bulls need to address if they are going to win - they need to decide who they are. Too often this season they have neglected the strength of a more direct forward orientated game, the early stages of the semifinal being a case in point. They must be more singular in focus and back their forwards rather than get duped into thinking they can beat Leinster at their own game.
In other words drive the early attacking lineouts rather than playing the ball off the top. Soften up Leinster at forward and it is half the battle won. Ask the players who were in the Springbok unit last November.
Teams for Vodacom URC final - Croke Park, Dublin, Friday 20.30
Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Tommy O’Brien, Rieko Ioane, Jamie Osborne, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Caelan Doris (captain), Josh van der Flier, Max Deegan, James Ryan, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Furlong, Ronan Kelleher, Jerry Cahir.
Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Alex Usanoc, Thomas Clarkson, Diarmuid Mangan, Jack Conan, Luke McGrath, Harry Byrne, Garry Ringrose.
Vodacom Bulls: Willie le Roux; Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie, Harold Vorster, Stravino Jacobs; Handre Pollard, Embrose Papier; Cameron Hanekom, Elrigh Louw, Marcell Coetzee (Captain), Ruan Nortje, Ruan Vermaak, Francois Klopper, Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Wilco Louw, Cobus Wiese, Jeandre Rudolph, Zak Burger, Stedman Gans, Nizaam Carr.
Referee: Andrea Pardi (Italy)
Prediction: Leinster to win by 10