Lions must 'fear' the Loftus factor
The most significant aspect of the build-up ahead of the Round 14 encounter in Pretoria on Saturday – the last match before the June break – is how the Bulls have managed to turn Loftus Versfeld into a fortress again.
They are the only team this season that is still unbeaten at home – a hallmark of their victorious campaigns in 2007, 2009 and 2010.
In 2007, when they became the first South African team in the professional era to win a Super Rugby title (although Transvaal, now the Lions, won the Super 10 in 1993), the Bulls lost only one home match – a 87.5 winning percentage.
The Bulls went one further in 2009 and 2010, when they won back-to-back titles – winning all their home games (100 percent). In fact in that period they went on a record 20-match winning streak in home game – although the 2010 semifinal and Final were played in Soweto.
Snyman attributed the Bulls' improved form – they currently top the Africa One conference and are second overall on the combined Africa conference behind the Lions – to their determination to remain unbeaten at home.
"We are placing a lot of emphasis on not losing at home," the 21-year-old told rugby365.
"If you win your home games you will be in the running [for the play-offs]," he added.
The Bulls have had a couple of lean years, finishing ninth the past two seasons.
However, a new coaching panel and some young blood seems to have had the desired effect.
"Despite the fact that a number of the players are in their first Super Rugby season, we are doing very well," Snyman told rugby365.
He said the preparation and hard work every week are paying dividends.
"Credit must go to the [team] management's preparation and planning," he added.
Of course Saturday's game is an important encounter, not just because it is battle between the two neighbours, but also because of the close proximity on the standings going into the international window – which means for the next four weeks there are no games.
"It will be a massive challenge, but it is in our favour that they are coming to Loftus [Versfeld].
"It may not be a long or tough travel for them, but it is still tough to come to Loftus.
"We will certainly have to step up our game from last week [a 17-13 win over the Stormers] to this week."
And it is stating the obvious if you suggest the Lions will bring a different challenge to what the Bulls faced against the Stormers last week.
"They do take the ball wider, as opposed to the Stormers – who play a more direct game," the lock said.
The other aspect of the Bulls' game that has showed marked improvement in 2016 is the set pieces.
"It is something we have worked a lot on and put a lot of effort in," Snyman said, adding: "It is good to see it is beginning to pay off.
"We may have suffered more by reputation from previous seasons," he said of a number of scrum penalties, which resulted in Springbok Marcell van der Merwe being the most penalised player in the competition.
"However, once we started to dominate more those 50-50 calls started to go our way.
"It [set pieces] is a very important part of the game. If your set pieces are solid you will always be competitive in the games."
Snyman, who last year played for South Africa Under-20, has higher aspirations, but feels he has a lot to learn yet.
"It is difficult to say where I stand as we [the Bulls] have not played against any New Zealand teams yet," said the young player – who was schooled in Pretoria and came through the Bulls' ranks.
"I have improved during the season, but it is my first Super Rugby season, so I am sure I will improve with time."
He also does not want to box himself into an enforcer or wide-ranging lock category.
"I am trying to get a balance between the two, because the modern game does require a good balance between being physical and having skills to range out wide.
"Being able to play at both No.4 and No.5 lock opens more options for you."
By Jan de Koning
@King365ed
@rugby365com
