There is no doubt that the Bulls will still be hurting after their loss against the Brumbies on Friday but they have a chance at redemption when they face the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday.
And the Bulls need to redeem themselves after letting slip of a golden opportunity to top the South African group last weekend with the Stormers and Lions both enjoying a bye.
However, there is still hope that the men in blue can eclipse both the Stormers and Lions in the coming weeks but they will need to beat the Waratahs before heading back to South Africa to face their date with destiny.
The game against the Waratahs will bring the curtain down on an Australian tour that could go a long way in seeing the Bulls through to the play-offs but they will need to follow up a good performance in Sydney with two more convincing victories at Loftus Versfeld against the Stormers and Lions.
The Bulls have had tough weeks before in the competition especially after losing in the opening round against the Stormers but they will face their toughest three weeks yet on the field and mentally as they have to beat three top sides in order to go into the June recess on top.
The Stormers and Lions have their own demons to face this weekend and while victories over the Sunwolves and Blues, respectively, are not guaranteed, it will be imperative that the Bulls look to making amends in Sydney before thinking too much of what faces them when they return back to South Africa.
The losing experience in Canberra would not have been a pleasant one for the Bulls but it should serve them well in their preparations for their clash with the Waratahs who play a similar game to that of the Brumbies.
The Bulls will have to brush up on the weaknesses that saw them lose their first game in seven outings and they will have their work cut out for them as the Waratahs would have also faces similar opposition to the Bulls when they convincingly beat the Cheetahs last weekend.
What the Bulls had managed to do well prior to the Brumbies game was sharpen up on their execution and that was often the difference between winning and losing.
Against the Brumbies, the Bulls were blunt in everything they did and that contributed tremendously towards their demise and a return to their strengths without succumbing to the intimidating environment of playing in the back yard of the former champions, will go a long way in getting the Bulls back to winning ways.
“The Waratahs had a good win against the Cheetahs. I think we must just focus from today (Monday) on them and preparing for them and not look beyond that.
“We just need to be more accurate this week,” said Bulls coach Nollis Marais, pictured, from Sydney yesterday.
It will not only be a test of the team’s mental fortitude but that of Marais’ as well who will have to show faith in his players by not making changes at the face of the pressures that come with losing.
If Marais is to make any changes then they are likely to happen at lock where Jason Jenkins could be re-instated in the second row in place of Marvin Orie while Springbok scrumhalf Rudy Paige could also earn his place back in the starting line-up ahead of Piet van Zyl and Jamba Ulengo is almost certain to take the place of the injured Travis Ismaiel, who has flown home. - The Star