The Vodacom Bulls officially kick off their Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi this Saturday, but head coach Johan Ackermann has made it clear that no one in the travelling party is packing a holiday mindset.
Opening an international campaign away to Zebre Parma might look like a gentle runway on paper, but Ackermann understands that week-one banana peels are incredibly real. Facing a host side desperate to prove themselves in front of a partisan home crowd is a distinct challenge.
With a brutal itinerary following immediately behind, including a daunting trip to face Munster at Thomond Park and a fierce local derby against the Lions, the stakes in Italy are clear: hit the ground running or risk playing catch-up early.
Touring Squad: 1: Alu Tshakweni, Sti Sithole, Dylan Smith; 2: Juann Else, Jon Hobson, Janco Uys; 3: Francois Klopper, Mornay Smith, Khuta Mchunu; 4: Ruan Vermaak, Jaco Grobbelaar; 5: Reinhardt Ludwig, JF van Heerden; 6: Marcell Coetzee (capt); 7: Hanro Liebenberg, JJ Theron; 8: Jeandre Rudolph, Nizaam Carr; 9: Paul de Wet, Zak Burger, Keagan Johannes; 10: Viaan Mentoor, Curwin Bosch; 11: Sebastian De Klerk, Thaakir Abrahams; 12: Harold Vorster, Stravino Jacobs; 13: Stedman Gans, Demetri Erasmus; 14: Cheswill Jooste; 15: Willie Le Roux, Hakeem Kunene.