Vodacom Bulls captain Reinhardt Ludwig said Leinster will want to take revenge for their two losses to the Vodacom Bulls on Saturday at 17:00 (SA Time).
"I think they'll probably rest some of their Six Nations guys. But I mean, they're almost, I want to call it their side that plays most of the games through the year when the Six Nations guys are playing. Those guys' cohesion and togetherness is next to nothing."
"They're first on the log. So I almost want to say their second-string side is just as good as many other teams' best sides, you know. So we respect that."
"They're first on the log. And yeah, I think they're going to be hungry. We've won them here both times we played them in the semi-final we won them."
"So I think they're definitely coming to make a statement here at Loftus. But I think if we can just focus on ourselves, we'll be fine."
On his possible due with RG Snyman Ludwig said he is ready to "battle it out."
"I really respect RG as a player,” he added. “We’re both from Affies in Pretoria, so it’s quite an exciting match coming up. He’s a much respected player having won two World Cups. I do respect him, but on the field, we’ll have to battle it out."
"I enjoy playing lock more at the moment, but that’s because I’ve played more minutes in that saddle. I only started playing flank after school, so it’s still new to me and I know there’s still a lot to work on."
"I do think it’s good to get exposed to as many positions as possible. I think you learn a lot playing a new position, seeing the game from a new perspective and then challenging yourself. But at this stage, I enjoy playing five lock more than seven because I’m more comfortable there."
Ludwig said despite preferring the lock position he is learning a lot playing on the side of the scrum.
"I think the biggest change is you’re a lot more on the edge and in the wider channels on attack. You’re basically a link between the backs and the forwards, so you’re not in the heat of things the whole time."
"Sometimes you have to wait a few phases before the ball comes to you, which is frustrating. Sometimes you’re looking for work, but to stay in the [team’s] system, you have to stay on the edge."
"But if you look at a guy like Pieter-Steph du Toit, and the game he plays at seven and the work he puts in, it’s insane."
"Pieter-Steph is one of my heroes and I really look up to him as a rugby player and a human being. He played lock for the Sharks in his younger days and I also remember a time when he played seven flank and the Boks didn’t do do so well, and he got a lot of heat from the media."
"But I think the only way you get better in life, and in rugby, is you need an opportunity to grow and learn. You need game time. And it’s not always going to be perfect; the biggest thing is that you learn and you grow."
