Why a Bulls URC victory would benefit the Boks

Rassie Erasmus has pushed back on suggestions that Bulls players being involved in this weekend's URC final against Leinster in Dublin complicates his preparation for the Springboks' Nations Championship opener against England on 4 July.

The Springbok coach said players returning from a final are in better shape than those who would have played in the Barbarians or Zimbabwe warm-up matches the previous week.

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"If the Bulls fell out two weeks ago, we would have had them for two weeks more,” Erasmus told reporters.

“But sometimes a team going into a final, getting the momentum, getting the winning aura, is sometimes better.

"If they beat Leinster, then you get players who come back confident, match fit, match ready, where they would have played the Barbarians game or Zimbabwe game the previous week. So we see it as a hell of a positive."

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Erasmus also pointed out that the situation is not unique to South Africa, noting that England face a similar challenge with two of their club sides involved in the Premiership final on the same weekend.

"It's not a unique position. Look, if the Bulls fell out two weeks ago, we would have had them for two weeks more,” Erasmus said.

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“But it's the same for England [where the Premiership is in the knockout stages].”

Erasmus was also clear that Bulls' involvement in the final would not affect team selection for the England Test.

"We want to beat England, Wales and Scotland to be in the mix,” he said.

“We'll pick our best possible team for the English match."

And he didn't hide where his allegiances lie for Friday night.

"Hopefully they beat Leinster. That would be really nice."