Bulls pumped for derby scrum battle

07/23/2024 08:18 AM

New Vodacom Bulls prop Alulutho Tshakweni is ready for set-piece warfare against DHL Western Province when the local giants clash at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

This week's north-south derby will mark the second meeting of traditional rivals in the 2024 Currie Cup. The Bulls opened their campaign with three tries in a narrow win against WP at a wet Cape Town Stadium three weeks ago.

Phiwe Nomlomo's charges beat the Cheetahs in Pretoria last week to extend their impressive start to rugby's oldest competition to three wins, while Province thrashed the Griffons on Sunday for their first win of the season.

Speaking in a Bulls conference on Tuesday, Tshakweni emphasised the importance of dominating the scrum and maul battle while highlighting the threat posed by WP.

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"[WP] have rotated a bit but can see they have a lot of young guys who want to play with a lot of effort. It's going to be a tough battle again … and we know they're going to come for us and be ready," he told reporters.

"It's not going to be an easy one but we'll also be ready. I've always felt the [WP] forwards are stronger than their backs so it's going to be a real physical battle up front.

"As the Bulls pack we're ready to scrum, we're ready to maul, and we know they're not going to shy away from it."

A former Junior Springbok who represented Border at U18 Academy Week and Craven Week, Tshakweni joined the Bulls from the Cheetahs this season on a two-year deal, and made his first appearance off the bench against his old team last Friday.

The 25-year-old won the Currie Cup with the Cheetahs in 2023 and is no stranger to Loftus, after a loan spell with the Bulls U21s in 2018.

"I was here a while ago; it's familiar and a bit better this time, I'm not going to lie. So I'm super happy to be here and ready to contribute the best way I can," Tshakweni said.

"I want to do well in the Currie Cup and stamp my authority and show people what I can do. Hopefully with the performances I put in I can get into the URC squad.

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"I was at the Cheetahs for three-and-a-half years and felt it was my time to step up, to showcase myself more. The Cheetahs are a great bunch of guys and a good environment, and I could've stayed, but I wanted to move and challenge myself.

"I didn't want to settle and get comfortable, and this is more exposure for me. The Currie Cup is here and hopefully we can go all the way and win it, but one game at a time."

On how he plans to make his mark for the Bulls, the powerful loosehead explains, "I have to love my scrumming! I'm a prop, that's my main focus. Everything else is an extra.

"Back in the day I used to be a 12 and 13, I've played at loose forward, so my game is well rounded and effort-wise I feel I can just do my thing.

"When I was at the Cheetahs Schalk [Ferreira] would take on the first 40 minutes, and then I would come on and just bring energy and effort and try to close the game out. Any role I can play I'll just go at it."

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images

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