Bulls happy to 'build bridges'
Tue, 25 May 2010 13:00
Rainbow nation: Bulls fans in Soweto
The game has been variously described as a 'dream Final' and the ultimate north-south derby. However, Saturday's all-South African Super Rugby Final between the Bulls and Stormers is a special occasion because it once again gives the world a glimpse of how special the 'rainbow nation' is.
It is the first ever rugby Final in Soweto and according to Bulls captain Victor Matfield the showdown in the iconic soccer venue, the Orlando Stadium, shows just how far South Africa has come as a nation.
The Bulls' emphatic 39-24 win over the Crusaders in the semifinal at the Orlando Stadium last week was hailed as a major "breakthrough" in an effort to draw the many diverse cultural and racial groups in the country closer together.
However, the Final is being labelled as the biggest event since the 1995 World Cup Final - when Francois Pienaar and former President Nelson Mandela lifted the Webb Ellis trophy at Ellis Park - in terms of nation building.
While the cynical would claim that the Bulls are playing in Soweto only because their normal home ground, Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, is now in the hands of FIFA for the start of the Soccer World Cup next month, the Bulls will tell you they could have to gone to any of a number of world class venues in Gauteng.
Matfield, speaking to rugby365.com in the build-up to Saturday's showpiece, said taking the game to Soweto is great for the country.
And, to celebrate the occasion, two South African teams get to contest the Final.
"I think it is great that we have two South African teams in the Final," the Bulls captain said.
"Not too long ago there was the perception that South African teams can't win this [a Super Rugby] competition, because of the lopsided travelling schedules.
"Now, to have two all-SA finals in a space of four years is unbelievable," he said in reference to the Bulls versus Sharks Final in 2007 and this year's showpiece.
"What makes it even more special is that it is in Soweto," Matfield told rugby365.com.
"It great for the country.
"It shows how many bridges have been built and how far we have come in this country in the past 16 years."
But there is a game to be played on Saturday, as the Bulls chase their third Super Rugby title in four years - a result that will put them joint second on the all-time Super Rugby champions' table.
Only the seven-time champion Crusaders and three-times winners the Blues have won more titles and the Bulls could join the Blues in second place.
However, Matfield felt it is important that the players focus on the task at hand, to beat their arch-rivals, the Stormers, on Saturday.
In order to do that they must pout aside the hype that surrounds the occasion and the venue and focus on their preparations.
"The key is to keep your preparation as close what you normally do and focus just on the game," Matfield said, adding: ""We should not worry about any sideshows or issues of the field.
"You must ensure that when you get to Saturday, you are 100 percent up for it and mentally fresh."
By Jan de Koning