George Furbank knows that his Northampton Saints side have a tough test ahead in South Africa this weekend, as the men in Black, Green and Gold face Vodacom Bulls away from home for the first time ever on Saturday (14 December, kick-off: 1pm GMT).
Saints locked horns with Bulls in the sides’ inaugural meeting in last season’s Investec Champions Cup knockout stages, and ran out 59-22 winners at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on their way to reaching the competition’s semi-final – where Northampton would narrowly fall to eventual runners-up Leinster Rugby.
This time they clash in the pool rounds, where Northampton sit top of Pool 3 after claiming a 38-8 win over Castres Olympique in their opening match; and while Bulls were defeated 27-5 on the road at Saracens in Round 1, Furbank knows that facing a star-studded Bulls side at home poses a whole new challenge.
Saints’ club captain said: “You don't really get to play South African teams very often and it’s a new challenge.
“Bulls have obviously got an incredible home record so they’re very tough to beat there and we're going to have to be at our best to do that.”
George Furbank
“The fact we get to be here for a week and hopefully put in a performance on a Saturday is exciting.
“You’re playing against a team who have got multiple double World Cup winners and it’s definitely a step up from that Premiership level.
“It’s a good experience and one where you’ve got to take your game to the next level.”
Saints in South Africa 😇🇿🇦
— Northampton Saints 😇 (@SaintsRugby) December 10, 2024
Looking forward to a big week of #InvestecChampionsCup rugby. pic.twitter.com/3vOk6b9hLn
Saints went through last season’s Investec Champions Cup campaign unbeaten until their clash with Leinster, and it proved to be something of a springboard for Northampton as the begun their rise to the top of the Gallagher Premiership.
And while Saints will be hoping for more of the same this term, they will have more than just World Cup winners to contend with on Saturday as the infamous altitude at Bulls’ stadium, Loftus Versfeld, will also come into play for the men in Black, Green and Gold.
Furbank said: “There’s not really much you can do about it apart from suck it up, take as much oxygen as you can in and crack on really!
“I don’t think any of us have experienced anything like playing away to the Bulls so we’re incredibly excited about that.
“The Europe competition last season, that really boosted our season so we’re hoping we’re going to get some good energy off the back of that.”
