Must-Win Clash: Bulls Throw Everything at Lions to Avoid Early Exit
The pressure could not be greater for the Bulls as they prepare for their crucial Currie Cup clash against the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday afternoon. Kick-off is scheduled for 3pm, and with the Pretoria side languishing in sixth place on the log, anything less than a win will almost certainly spell the end of their play-off hopes.
Coach Phiwe Nomlomo admitted that not reaching the semi-finals would be nothing short of a disaster for a union of the Bulls’ stature.
“It would be a disaster, for sure, if a Bulls team was not in the semis,” he said. “We are expected to win games, and I have said that at the Bulls. The Bulls want to play in the play-offs of every competition. This competition was no different.”
A Slump After a Strong Start
The Bulls began the season brightly, topping the table after the opening rounds, but their campaign has since derailed following three consecutive defeats. Their most recent setback came in Kimberley, where the Griquas handed them a bruising 42–21 loss.
That result leaves Nomlomo’s men with two wins from four matches, sitting six points adrift of the Lions in fourth place. With only two rounds remaining, the Bulls will need back-to-back bonus-point victories and favourable results elsewhere if they are to sneak into the last four.
Nomlomo, however, insists there can be no excuses despite a string of injuries disrupting their momentum. “We are still in the running for play-offs and … it’s a must-win game for us. That is what we are concentrating on,” he said.
Lions Hold the Upper Hand
Their opponents, the Lions, have grown in confidence this season. Despite losing 47–31 to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein last week, the Johannesburg side still managed to score five tries. That attacking threat, combined with their improved defensive discipline, makes them one of the more balanced teams in the competition.
Nomlomo acknowledged the challenge ahead, pointing out the Lions’ development in managing their game. “They have been piling on points, and defensively, they have been quite sharp as well. They are one of the better sides from a defensive perspective in terms of not leaking too many tries,” he said.
He added: “They are playing less rugby inside their back 50… I think they will try and impose themselves as much as they possibly can, especially looking at our squad.”
Bulls Banking on Character and Tradition
For the Pretoria union, the match carries more than just points – it’s about preserving tradition. The Bulls have reached the play-offs in each of the last four seasons, and missing out this year would be a blow to both the team’s reputation and their supporters’ expectations.
Nomlomo stressed the importance of character and resilience heading into Ellis Park. “It is a game we must get a result out of with aspirations of carrying on longer into the competition. We are putting everything we have into making sure we try and get a result, for sure,” he said.
All Eyes on Ellis Park
With the Lions sitting in the driving seat and the Bulls fighting to keep their season alive, Saturday’s clash promises to be a fierce Gauteng derby. The hosts have momentum and confidence, while the visitors carry the weight of expectation.
For the Bulls, this is not just another Currie Cup fixture – it is survival. Victory will give them hope, defeat will all but confirm their early exit. The scene is set for a fiery battle in Johannesburg, with everything on the line.
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