Bulls have ‘learned’ from their losses

With the Champions Cup resuming this weekend, Bulls loose forward Mpilo Gumede says they are prepared for a tough battle against Bristol Bears as the Pretoria-based side look to return to winning ways.

The Bulls face the English side on Saturday at Ashton Gate (kickoff 5.15 pm SA time).

The game is crucial for both sides’ aspirations of making it through to the knockout stages of the European Cup.

Jake White’s team are in third place in Pool 1 with five points, while Bristol are fifth with the same number of points.

The Pretoria-based side go into the game not in ideal form, as they have suffered back-to-back losses against Lyon in the Champions Cup and the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship.

Looking ahead to their upcoming fixture, Gumede said the losses they experienced before their festive break have been a learning curve for them and have helped to put the team in a good space.

“We understand and know where we are,” said Gumede.

“We have learned from the games we lost, so we are in a good space. We understand what we need to do. We need to play our own game.

“We don’t want to put too much pressure on ourselves because we’re coming off two losses, but rather build momentum from here.”

Bristol on the other hand go into the match on the back of a 22-14 win away at Sale Sharks in the Premiership, something the Bulls have taken notice of, according to Gumede.

“They are a big club. The weather is going to be against us and the fans as well, so we know what’s coming. We know the physicality is coming, we know they like to play from their own 22,” he said.

The weather conditions will be an important factor, where cold and cloudy conditions are forecast in Bristol, but can’t impact on how the Bulls go about their business, according to Gumede.