The Bulls can become the second South African franchise in three seasons to claim the United Rugby Championship title when they welcome Glasgow Warriors to Loftus Versfeld in Saturday’s Grand Final. Shaun Goosen previews.
2023/24 URC Grand Final
Bulls v Glasgow Warriors
Loftus Versveld
Saturday 22 June 2024 | 18:00
Both sides overcame more-fancied Irish opposition to set up Saturday’s final at Loftus. The Bulls are red-hot favourites for this clash, but they may not have it all their own way, with the Warriors going down by six points when the sides last clashed here in mid-May.
To Win Match
Bulls 2/7 | Draw 25/1 | Glasgow Warriors 11/4
Handicap
Bulls (-9.5) 9/10 | Glasgow (+9.5) 9/10
The three-time Super Rugby champions can add a URC crown to their trophy cabinet and make amends for their 2022 URC final defeat to the Stormers with victory this weekend. Jake White’s side will be nursing a few bumps and bruises after their brutal semi-final contest against Leinster last week, with the likes of in-form Willie le Roux likely to miss out, but the prospect of achieving URC silverware will surely give them the boost they need to go all out one last time this season.
34-year-old le Roux’s absence will be even more sorely felt given back three partners Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie are also out injured, though two-try hero Sergeal Peterson came up big as a right wing replacement last week. The expected return of captain Marcell Coetzee should offset the bad news somewhat, but it remains to be seen just how match-ready he will be after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The Bulls will likely implement a tighter game, with less of the crosskicking we saw last week. If they can smother the Warriors in contact, they should be able to build a lead on the scoreboard.
The Glaswegians will be quietly confident after coming away from Loftus with two losing bonus points in a narrow 40-34 defeat last month. The altitude factor will be massive for them, as will their ability to front up to the Bulls’ heavy hitters, but they proved again in their semi-final win at Munster that they are a side capable of sparking something from nothing.
Warriors qualified for three Pro12/14 Grand Finals in the past, winning the 2015 edition against Munster with a star-studded team, but claiming another title in Pretoria would surely rank as the club’s finest yet.
Verdict: Bulls at 2/7
If the Bulls keep it tight and play to their strengths, they should be too good for Franco Smith’s side.
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