Watch VideoNever mind what the Warriors say, Murrayfield switch gives Bulls big boost in URC semi-final

THE switch to Murrayfield is set to suit the Bulls strongmen like Gerhard Steenekamp when they meet the Warriors in the URC semi-final on Saturday. TheBullshave been talking up the significance of theirURC semi-finalbeing shifted from Scotstoun in Glasgow toMurrayfieldin Edinburgh about as much as theWarriorshave been downplaying it, but I reckon it is the Bulls’ rhetoric that has more conviction. The bottom line is that it unquestionably helps the visitors.

If the Warriors had a choice, there would be zero chance of them surrendering the advantage of the unique atmosphere generated by their 7000-seater, artificial-surfaced ground, where they have not lost a match this season. Those small stadiums, with the stands almost on top of the pitch, confine the noise of the fans, and the intimidation is real. So if the Commonwealth Games had not booked Scotstoun, the Warriors would never swap their beloved home patch for the vastness of Murrayfield — and a grass pitch so loved by South African players because they can properly scrum on it.

Bulls coach Johan Ackermann keeps talking about the small margins that will win the game, and I reckon the Murrayfield factor is one of them, and in his team’s favour. “I don’t think we can set the scene better than the fact that we’re playing at a Test stadium. It’s a great privilege to play at such an iconic stadium,” he said.

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“There’s an excitement about it. It brings energy. This whole season, as a team we’ve spoken about controlling what we can.

The surface at Murrayfield is exactly like Loftus Versfeld, so it won’t be such a foreign concept for us. “At the end of the day, between those four white lines, we just need to do what we’ve prepared for and do it as well as we can. So I think as a team we’re feeling comfortable about playing at Murrayfield.” And the Bulls’ ace scrumhalf, Embrose Papier, added: “I had my first international start for the Springboks at Murrayfield (in 2018).

Murrayfield has its own culture. The atmosphere there is unique, and the energy from the Scottish supporters is great. I’ve always enjoyed playing there because of that atmosphere.” Ackermann continued: “I think the intensity of both semi-finals will be close to Test-match level.” The Bulls coach says past results between the sides, which have mostly favoured the Warriors, are irrelevant.

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