It’s crunch time in the EPCR Challenge Cup – eight teams will be whittled down to just four this weekend after the competition's quarter-final stage. Edinburgh Rugby face Vodacom Bulls in the EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-finals, and Head Coach Sean Everitt knows it’ll be a challenging encounter.
One of the ties that promises to turn heads is the Edinburgh vs Vodacom Bulls as the Scottish side’s home clash opens the quarter-final proceedings on Saturday lunchtime.
Having impressively overcome fellow South African side Emirates Lions last Friday night in the Round of 16, Everitt’s men know what it takes to get wins in brutal, knockout rugby.
But the Head Coach was under no illusions as to the challenges his side’s next opponents will pose this weekend.
‘We know them well… they’re difficult to play against’
The Vodacom Bulls overcame TOP 14 side Aviron Bayonnais last weekend in a similarly gritty performance in France – something that South African sides have struggled to do since the start of the competition.
Reigning champions, the Hollywoodbets Sharks, fell to Lyon Olympique Universitaire last weekend on French soil, so Everitt is not underestimating the pedigree of an Aviron Bayonnais away win brings with it.
But it’s not just in the EPCR Challenge Cup that the Bulls have made a strong name for themselves; they’ve twice reached the United Rugby Championship final, something that the Scottish side hasn’t managed themselves.
“It’s a step up. The Bulls are two-time URC finalists. They had a good win against Bayonne away from home. It was important for them to get that win”, Everitt said.
He went on to remember the memories he has of playing them in recent seasons, explaining that they are not to be underestimated.
“They pride themselves on set-piece and physicality. So, a difficult team to play against. We know them quite well after playing them in the earlier rounds of the URC. We know what they’re going to bring.”
Should Edinburgh pull off their dream performance on Saturday and get past the ragingly motivated South African Bulls, the Scottish side would play the winner of the Bath Rugby-Gloucester Rugby West Country Derby – another cracker of a quarter-final on offer this weekend.
That would set up a historic semi-final for the club, and a shot at EPCR Challenge Cup silverware would be within touching distance, something that Everitt and the Edinburgh club are all targeting.
“It’s something we’d love to do, win a trophy. It’s definitely added motivation”, the Head Coach said.
But what’s vital, according to the coach, is not to look past this weekend’s test against the Bulls.
“But we’ve got to get through the stages first in the quarter-final against the Bulls. It’s a big challenge for Edinburgh, but one that we can overcome. It’s one we’re not afraid of, and one that we certainly are going for”, Everitt concluded.
Head Coach Sean Everitt has made two changes for the clash with the Bulls.
Edinburgh: 15 Wes Goosen, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Matt Currie, 12 James Lang, 11 Ross McCann, 10 Ross Thompson, 9 Ben Vellacott (co-captain), 8 Magnus Bradbury, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Jamie Ritchie, 5 Grant Gilchrist (co-captain), 4 Sam Skinner, 3 Javan Sebastian, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Boan Venter. Replacements: 16 Dave Cherry, 17 Pierre Schoeman, 18 D'arcy Rae, 19 Robert Carmichael, 20 Ben Muncaster, 21 Ali Price, 22 Cammy Scott, 23 Mosese Tuipulotu.