Dream SA final still alive BUT Bulls, Stormers face brutal URC semi-final assignments

Both the Bulls and Stormers will have to dig deep next weekend as they head into the United Rugby Championship semi-finals away from home.

The Bulls travel to Scotland to take on league leaders the Glasgow Warriors at Murrayfield on Saturday 6 June (kick-off 15:30), while the Stormers face Leinster in Ireland later that evening (kick-off 18:30).

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One positive for the Bulls is the venue. Instead of facing Glasgow on their usual artificial 4G surface at Scotstoun, the semi-final will be played on the grass surface at Murrayfield.

The Bulls come into the match full of confidence after dismantling Munster 45-14 at Loftus Versfeld last weekend.

Tries from Embrose Papier (2), Kurt-Lee Arendse, Johan Grobbelaar, Cameron Hanekom and Stravino Jacobs showed their attacking firepower.

However, Johan Ackermann knows Glasgow will be a completely different challenge and there are injury concerns to worry about.

Springbok prop Wilco Louw was forced to withdraw before Saturday’s clash against Munster with bronchitis, while Stravino Jacobs won’t travel due to injury.

“There are a few knocks that we’re a little bit concerned about,” Ackermann said on Saturday.

“Hopefully it’s only knocks. But it looks like Sergeal won’t make next week. He’s done his shoulder quite badly, so that’s the one we’re aware of now.”

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There is good news, however, as winger Cheswill Jooste should be fit to travel after spending the past few weeks on the sidelines with injury.

“He’s almost ready, so hopefully by Monday he can train with us and be an option, especially now with Sergeal out,” said Ackermann.

“That’s been one area where we’ve just scraped through the whole season. If one winger is out, another one goes down.”

The Stormers, meanwhile, head to Dublin to face a formidable Leinster side. John Dobson’s team produced a strong 41-21 quarter-final win over Cardiff, but the victory was overshadowed by serious injuries to two key players.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (ankle) and Seabelo Senatla (HIA) are both ruled out of the semi-final, with Dobson describing the losses as “a big blow” and “far from ideal” just before such a massive match.

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There are also concerns over lock Ruben van Heerden and centre Dan du Plessis.

Despite the setbacks, Dobson remains confident in his squad’s depth and character.

“But whenever we take a knock, this group tends to pull together and fight,” Dobson said after the match.

“The way Jurie Matthee is playing and the fight in this squad gives me confidence that we’ll find a way.”

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Both fixtures, however, are a real challenge and the two South African teams will be underdogs.

For the Bulls, playing on grass at Murrayfield rather than artificial turf is a blessing in disguise, a fact Ackermann acknowledged.

“I see we play at Murrayfield. It’s a grass surface, so it makes a big difference,” he said.