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"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They have a chance to do what no team has ever done, and what no team is likely to do again — become the first club to win a major multi-national trophy in both hemispheres.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This weekend’s United Rugby Championship (URC) final at Loftus against the Glasgow Warriors represents a chance for the Bulls to win the northern hemisphere showpiece. In 2007, 2009 and 2010 the Bulls won Super Rugby, the southern hemisphere’s premier tournament.</span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bulls are statistically the best attacking team in the URC this year and the Warriors are not far behind.</span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unless previous Super Rugby champions, the Crusaders, Brumbies, Blues, Chiefs, Waratahs, Reds or Highlanders enter URC at some stage, the Bulls could hold a unique record.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not that this piece of history is a major motivating factor for the Bulls. Winning the URC, and fulfilling the next stage of their vision to be the best club in the world, is what really drives Jake White’s men.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When White was appointed Bulls director of rugby in late 2019 he had one mission —</span> <a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-06-09-peaking-at-the-white-time-bulls-poised-to-win-urc-at-last/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to take the team back to the top</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. At that stage, the future was in Super Rugby.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then Covid happened and the rugby world changed… South Africa was out of the southern hemisphere and into the north. That didn’t change White’s vision though — to become the best even if the cast of characters had changed.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And at Loftus, at 6pm on Saturday evening, the Bulls will have a chance to achieve that goal.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-2241594 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/TL_2227426.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1700\" height=\"1179\" /> <em>Bulls wing Devon Williams is tackled by Leinster's Gary Ringrose during the URC semi-final at Loftus Versfeld on 15 June. (Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images)</em></p>\r\n<h4><b>Stepping up</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their brilliant 25-20 win over Leinster in the semi-final, achieved </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sans</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> several injured superstars such as Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie — was a sign of the Bulls potential.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Players had to step up in that match and none did more than fantastic No 8 Cameron Hanekom. His performance against the best of Ireland (and therefore some of the best in the world) was from another galaxy.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">His stats backed up the performance. He made 81 metres from just 10 carries, which is astonishing considering he was doing most of his work in congested channels occupied by world-class defenders. And 37 over those metres were made post-contact, which means he broke the first tackle often.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-2241593 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/TL_2227348.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1726\" height=\"1151\" /> <em>Bulls No 8 Cameron Hanekom (with ball) delivered a sensational performance in the URC semi-final against Leinster. (Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hanekom also made a match-high 18 tackles, won two turnovers, made three clean breaks and beat six defenders. It was a performance for the ages, and if he can do something similar again against Glasgow, the Bulls will surely win.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But it will require everyone to perform at a high level again, as they did last week. Hanekom was the standout but his looseforward mates Marco van Staden and Elrigh Louw were excellent. Nizaam Carr rolled back the years with a fine cameo from the bench, while Johan Goosen and Sergeal Petersen both stepped up.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The pack was immense last week, with the front row of Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobberlaar and Wilco Louw scrumming Leinster into the ground. More of that will be welcome against Glasgow.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bulls will miss fullback Willie le Roux though. The veteran was superb for much of the first half, with his excellent kicking game and ability to ghost into the line.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-2231165 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/TL_2222469.jpg\" alt=\"Jake White, Bulls\" width=\"5184\" height=\"3456\" /> <em>Jake White, Director of rugby of the Bulls, during the United Rugby Championship match against Sharks at Kings Park Stadium in Durban, on 1 June 2024. (Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images)</em></p>\r\n<h4><b>KLA back</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A concussion before halftime has ruled out Le Roux, but fortunately Arendse is fit for the final. So the impressive Devon Williams will move to fullback. Arendse will slot into his usual position on the wing.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arendse suffered a fractured cheekbone in the quarterfinal against Benetton two weeks ago, and has returned remarkably quickly. White though was not concerned, and compared his</span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-10-09-france-skipper-dupont-cleared-to-resume-playing-ahead-of-critical-springboks-clash/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">return to that of French star Antoine Dupont</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at Rugby World Cup 2023 last year.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Dupont had a cheek fracture, but played in the quarterfinal against South Africa,” White said. “The doctor was impressed and really happy with how Kurt-Lee has recovered.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Of course, you can’t target anybody’s head. It’s illegal to play a guy around the head anyway, so there’s no fear. He wants to be part of it. The doctor and specialist are happy. To have him back, especially after losing a guy with Willie’s experience, is fantastic for us.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bulls are statistically the best attacking team in the URC this year, and the Warriors are not far behind.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both teams rank in the top three for entries into the opposition 22m (Warriors second, Bulls third) and total tries across the season (Bulls first, Warriors third). While the running game will undoubtedly make headlines, the small margins gained from successful kicks will be crucial for maintaining scoreboard pressure.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Warriors will be looking to maintain their discipline as Goosen is a threat from all across the park, particularly at altitude, leading the competition with conversion success percentage this season. He is also second on the scoring charts with 141 points this season.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-2241597 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2141441526.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1804\" height=\"1150\" /> <em>Glasgow head coach Franco Smith. (Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images)</em></p>\r\n<h4><b>Tread carefully</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the flip side, the Bulls must tread carefully to prevent their free-flowing attack from morphing into a leaky defence. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Glasgow have been more effective on defence, with 373 points conceded in their 20 their matches this season to 476 by the home team, and that they only beat the Scottish outfit by seven points in their last outing.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That said, the visitors have only beaten them once in their last three URC matches dating back to 2022 — with that win being at the Scotstoun Stadium.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Glasgow have also been effective on the road this season, winning six of their 10 away matches — although they suffered defeats in both their matches hosted in South Africa against the Lions and Bulls respectively. </span><b>DM</b>\r\n<h4><b>Bulls vs Glasgow Warriors</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Date: Saturday, 22 June</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Referee: Andrea Piardi</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SA Time: 6pm</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TV: SuperSport</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>",
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"description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They have a chance to do what no team has ever done, and what no team is likely to do again — become the first club to win a major multi-national trophy in both hemispheres.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This weekend’s United Rugby Championship (URC) final at Loftus against the Glasgow Warriors represents a chance for the Bulls to win the northern hemisphere showpiece. In 2007, 2009 and 2010 the Bulls won Super Rugby, the southern hemisphere’s premier tournament.</span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bulls are statistically the best attacking team in the URC this year and the Warriors are not far behind.</span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unless previous Super Rugby champions, the Crusaders, Brumbies, Blues, Chiefs, Waratahs, Reds or Highlanders enter URC at some stage, the Bulls could hold a unique record.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not that this piece of history is a major motivating factor for the Bulls. Winning the URC, and fulfilling the next stage of their vision to be the best club in the world, is what really drives Jake White’s men.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When White was appointed Bulls director of rugby in late 2019 he had one mission —</span> <a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-06-09-peaking-at-the-white-time-bulls-poised-to-win-urc-at-last/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to take the team back to the top</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. At that stage, the future was in Super Rugby.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then Covid happened and the rugby world changed… South Africa was out of the southern hemisphere and into the north. That didn’t change White’s vision though — to become the best even if the cast of characters had changed.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And at Loftus, at 6pm on Saturday evening, the Bulls will have a chance to achieve that goal.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2241594\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1700\"]<img class=\"wp-image-2241594 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/TL_2227426.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1700\" height=\"1179\" /> <em>Bulls wing Devon Williams is tackled by Leinster's Gary Ringrose during the URC semi-final at Loftus Versfeld on 15 June. (Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images)</em>[/caption]\r\n<h4><b>Stepping up</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their brilliant 25-20 win over Leinster in the semi-final, achieved </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sans</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> several injured superstars such as Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie — was a sign of the Bulls potential.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Players had to step up in that match and none did more than fantastic No 8 Cameron Hanekom. His performance against the best of Ireland (and therefore some of the best in the world) was from another galaxy.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">His stats backed up the performance. He made 81 metres from just 10 carries, which is astonishing considering he was doing most of his work in congested channels occupied by world-class defenders. And 37 over those metres were made post-contact, which means he broke the first tackle often.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2241593\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1726\"]<img class=\"wp-image-2241593 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/TL_2227348.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1726\" height=\"1151\" /> <em>Bulls No 8 Cameron Hanekom (with ball) delivered a sensational performance in the URC semi-final against Leinster. (Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hanekom also made a match-high 18 tackles, won two turnovers, made three clean breaks and beat six defenders. It was a performance for the ages, and if he can do something similar again against Glasgow, the Bulls will surely win.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But it will require everyone to perform at a high level again, as they did last week. Hanekom was the standout but his looseforward mates Marco van Staden and Elrigh Louw were excellent. Nizaam Carr rolled back the years with a fine cameo from the bench, while Johan Goosen and Sergeal Petersen both stepped up.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The pack was immense last week, with the front row of Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobberlaar and Wilco Louw scrumming Leinster into the ground. More of that will be welcome against Glasgow.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bulls will miss fullback Willie le Roux though. The veteran was superb for much of the first half, with his excellent kicking game and ability to ghost into the line.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2231165\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"5184\"]<img class=\"wp-image-2231165 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/TL_2222469.jpg\" alt=\"Jake White, Bulls\" width=\"5184\" height=\"3456\" /> <em>Jake White, Director of rugby of the Bulls, during the United Rugby Championship match against Sharks at Kings Park Stadium in Durban, on 1 June 2024. (Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images)</em>[/caption]\r\n<h4><b>KLA back</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A concussion before halftime has ruled out Le Roux, but fortunately Arendse is fit for the final. So the impressive Devon Williams will move to fullback. Arendse will slot into his usual position on the wing.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arendse suffered a fractured cheekbone in the quarterfinal against Benetton two weeks ago, and has returned remarkably quickly. White though was not concerned, and compared his</span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-10-09-france-skipper-dupont-cleared-to-resume-playing-ahead-of-critical-springboks-clash/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">return to that of French star Antoine Dupont</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at Rugby World Cup 2023 last year.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Dupont had a cheek fracture, but played in the quarterfinal against South Africa,” White said. “The doctor was impressed and really happy with how Kurt-Lee has recovered.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Of course, you can’t target anybody’s head. It’s illegal to play a guy around the head anyway, so there’s no fear. He wants to be part of it. The doctor and specialist are happy. To have him back, especially after losing a guy with Willie’s experience, is fantastic for us.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bulls are statistically the best attacking team in the URC this year, and the Warriors are not far behind.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both teams rank in the top three for entries into the opposition 22m (Warriors second, Bulls third) and total tries across the season (Bulls first, Warriors third). While the running game will undoubtedly make headlines, the small margins gained from successful kicks will be crucial for maintaining scoreboard pressure.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Warriors will be looking to maintain their discipline as Goosen is a threat from all across the park, particularly at altitude, leading the competition with conversion success percentage this season. He is also second on the scoring charts with 141 points this season.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2241597\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1804\"]<img class=\"wp-image-2241597 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2141441526.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1804\" height=\"1150\" /> <em>Glasgow head coach Franco Smith. (Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images)</em>[/caption]\r\n<h4><b>Tread carefully</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the flip side, the Bulls must tread carefully to prevent their free-flowing attack from morphing into a leaky defence. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Glasgow have been more effective on defence, with 373 points conceded in their 20 their matches this season to 476 by the home team, and that they only beat the Scottish outfit by seven points in their last outing.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That said, the visitors have only beaten them once in their last three URC matches dating back to 2022 — with that win being at the Scotstoun Stadium.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Glasgow have also been effective on the road this season, winning six of their 10 away matches — although they suffered defeats in both their matches hosted in South Africa against the Lions and Bulls respectively. </span><b>DM</b>\r\n<h4><b>Bulls vs Glasgow Warriors</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Date: Saturday, 22 June</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Referee: Andrea Piardi</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SA Time: 6pm</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TV: SuperSport</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>",
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Bulls wing Devon Williams is tackled by Leinster's Gary Ringrose during the URC semi-final at Loftus Versfeld on 15 June. (Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images)
Bulls No 8 Cameron Hanekom (with ball) delivered a sensational performance in the URC semi-final against Leinster. (Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images)
Jake White, Director of rugby of the Bulls, during the United Rugby Championship match against Sharks at Kings Park Stadium in Durban, on 1 June 2024. (Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images)
Glasgow head coach Franco Smith. (Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images)