The Bulls will invade Soweto on
Saturday with more confidence as their hosts for the Super 14 semi-final match, Orlando Pirates have thrown their weight firmly behind the defending champions.
The game is already creating history by being the first international rugby match to be staged in Soweto, with the refurbished home of Pirates serving as the perfect replacement venue for Fortress Loftus.
And now as one of the country’s most popular footballing teams, and sharing the same title sponsor in Vodacom, the Buccaneers are keen for their rugby cousins to do the nation proud with an inspired performance on Saturday.
“We have always admired the fighting spirit of the Bulls, their professionalism and the manner in which they achieve success as a family unit, no matter how great the challenge. This weekend we open up our home to them as they create history in Soweto. We want the world to know that this weekend we won’t be screaming ‘Up the Bucs’ but rather ‘Up the Bulls!’ said Nkosana Khoza Marketing Manager of Orlando Pirates Football Club.
“The Crusaders are worthy opponents, but like overseas teams fear Loftus Versfeld, our footballing opposition knows that this is a fortress. We want the Bulls to know that our home is their home – not only for the team but for the thousands of fanatical Player 23 Bulls fans that are heading our way. Soweto wants you here and Soweto welcomes you.”
The Bulls took the first step to a cross-over friendship with the beautiful game when they donned Bafana Bafana jerseys recently for the flight on their overseas leg of the Vodacom Super 14 and the national soccer team returned the compliment by supporting them when the Bulls faced the Crusaders at Loftus Versfeld in their league fixture two weeks ago.
“For Orlando Pirates to welcome the Bulls is magnificent, and it shows how far we have come as a country with this historic match. Soweto will be a hive of light blue this weekend as the Vodacom Bulls break down more barriers with this game. Both teams have shown how sport can transcend any differences and how we as South Africans can stand together for a common goal,” Enzo Scarcella, Marketing Executive for Vodacom said ahead of the semi-final.
“We want to congratulate Pirates for hosting the Bulls and wish the Bulls unbelievable success on Saturday.” Scarcella called on supporters of both the Vodacom Bulls and Orlando Pirates to come together in the next few weeks and Join the Voice behind Bafana Bafana as they take on the best sides in the world.
“Just as the Bulls and Pirates supporters are fanatical and passionate Player 23s that stand behind their team, we want them – as well as the entire South Africa – to create a massive wave of support behind Bafana Bafana. The world is watching us, and we can show them how passionate and proud we are of our sporting heroes.”
SMS your message of support for Bafana Bafana to 35600 and you could also win weekly and monthly prizes of handsets and signed Bafana Bafana jerseys. There is also a grand prize of R1 million for one fan who Joins the Voice behind Bafana Bafana.
Uit Die Burger-
Soweto – Moontlike vlugflouheid by die besoekers, ’n gebrek aan momentum by die Bulls en die afwesigheid van die Loftus-faktor.
Daar is ook beweerde onwettige skrumwerk van die Cru saders, die skelmstreke van Richie McCaw en die wispelturigheid van Stuart Dickinson. Voeg daarby die geskiedkundigheid van die oomblik en die onvoorspelbare wip van ’n rugbybal.
Al dié dinge word vandag hier in die Orlando-stadion tot uiting gebring wanneer die Bulls en die Cru saders in ’n Super14-halfeindstryd speel wat beslis nié op papier gewen gaan word nie.
Twee weke gelede, toe die spanne op Loftus Versfeld slaags was, is die uitslag eers in die 81ste minuut bepaal en vandag s’n het al die bestanddele om weer tot in die laaste loopgraaf geveg te word.
The All Blacks coach is not sitting on the fence when it comes to New Zealand’s sole involvement in the weekend’s Super 14 semi-finals.
Graham Henry is tipping the Crusaders to upset the defending champions, Bulls, in Soweto on Saturday.
“I think they’ll win,” said Henry when asked his thoughts on the Crusaders’ chances of ending a run of two straight semi-final exits at the hands of the Bulls.
“I’ve been very impressed by the way they’ve played over the last couple of weeks. I think they’ve played the game bloody well.
“If I was a betting man, I would pick the Crusaders to play the Stormers in the final, but I know very little about the game as you know,” Henry said with his trademark wry grin.
Looking forward to this match – it will mean so much to SA rugby and the population in general.
With the World Cup looming, SA is getting an awful lot of international negative press at the moment, due to worrying crime statistics. This match is a positive and one that will make world headlines in a good way.
GO BULLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now is the hour…….. Kan nie wag nie. Hoop net hulle interview Mr Henry na die game ook 🙂
Dis nie die cwment van die stadions nie dit is die MENSE!!!!!
Hoop net ou stuart blaas die flanke van dir saders wat nooit tot die einde van die scrum bint nie kyk maar hulle breek altyd vroeg af!!!!
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