Fired-up Bulls in France for the W
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Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels says the Vodacom Bulls are primed to open their 2024-25 Investec Champions Cup account with a statement performance against Castres on Saturday.
The Bulls will return to action in the third round of the EPCR competition following a two-week break, and face a massive test in the south of France as they attempt to revert to winning ways after three defeats in all competitions.
Jake White’s charges are languishing in fifth place in Pool 3 after losing their opening two matches and failing to pick up a single bonus point. A third defeat at the Stade Pierre-Fabre on Saturday would likely end their European campaign.
"We haven't had the greatest results in the last three games and obviously want to change that, and get good momentum for the season," said Wessels during a Bulls conference on Tuesday. "We always go into a match trying to win it; I don't think there's any other goal for us.
"It'll be a big statement to make if we can win this game, and obviously turn things around for us in the Champions Cup."
"There's been moments in games where we've tended to be in control and not convert it into points, or not being on the same page or folding under pressure," he added.
"I don't think it's anything specific we need to change or a big thing that's a problem, it's just slipping up in the last three games.
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"We didn't get hammered, and stood a chance to win all the games… We're working hard on fixing the small errors."
Critics in the northern hemisphere haven't been kind regarding SA teams' inclusion in the Champions Cup since 2022-23, and have cried foul at understrength sides from the Republic travelling to Europe in the opening rounds of the EPCR competition this season.
The Northampton Saints feasted on a weakened Bulls side in the quarter-finals last term, yet Wessels reiterated the Pretoria outfit's commitment to success as they soak up the atmosphere at the HQ of the reigning champions, Toulouse.
"We're currently staying in Toulouse, and then travelling Friday to Castres for captain's run [and the match], and being in Toulouse and training at their ground we're seeing the pride around the Champions Cup," he said.
"We're obviously not in the competition just to participate and want to test ourselves against proper French teams and Premiership teams, and we go out to win matches.
"It's a big competition and probably the best club rugby competition in the world so we're pushing hard, and we’re not coming to France sending a 'B' side or anything like that … we want to win games."
Wessels, who can play loosehead prop and hooker, is also relishing the opportunity of facing a formidable French pack. On the challenge posed by Castres, the three-Test Springbok said: "They've got a good kicking game, big forwards, and we want to really get tested and get the measurements right that we're setting for ourselves.
"They've got a big pack, and scrums and maul-wise we've got to stand up and pride ourselves on a good outcome in both those areas as well."
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
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