{"id":525760,"date":"2024-06-12T10:10:03","date_gmt":"2024-06-12T08:10:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/betcentral.onpressidium.com\/?p=525760"},"modified":"2024-06-12T10:10:06","modified_gmt":"2024-06-12T08:10:06","slug":"urc-semi-final-bulls-v-leinster-key-battles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/machibet777-affiliate.com\/rugby\/united-rugby-championship\/urc-semi-final-bulls-v-leinster-key-battles\/","title":{"rendered":"URC Semi-Final: Bulls v Leinster – Key Battles"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Quintin van Jaarsveld identifies and examines the key head-to-head battles of Saturday\u2019s United Rugby Championship semi-final<\/a> between the Bulls and Leinster in Pretoria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bet Now: Rugby<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Johan Grobbelaar v Dan Sheehan<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Given the timing of next weekend\u2019s opening Test against Wales at Twickenham, Bulls players were omitted from the Springbok squad named last Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having featured in previous Springbok alignment camps, Grobbelaar will want to send a message to Rassie Erasmus not to forget about him for future opportunities with a repeat of his Man of the Match performance in the Bulls\u2019 shock 27-26 semi-final triumph over Leinster in Dublin two years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He\u2019s been consistently good this season and the extra dimension he brings as a ball thief should see him once again start ahead of Akker van der Merwe, who\u2019s at his best as an impact player off the pine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sheehan is arguably the leading hooker in world rugby. Rock solid in all areas and a top athlete, he forms part of Leinster\u2019s splendiferous spine and besting him would do Grobbelaar\u2019s Bok hopes the world of good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ruan Nortje v James Ryan<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s the clash of the captains in the second row.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nortje is known for his extraordinary work rate, which saw him become the URC\u2019s inaugural Ironman, and he hasn\u2019t let up this season. The 25-year-old has an endless gas tank, which gives him an advantage over his counterpart, especially on the Highveld.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Odds are he\u2019ll outlast him, but will he outsmart him in the battle between the two best lineouts in the league? The Bulls\u2019 lineout has generally worked like clockwork, functioning at 85%, second only to Leinster\u2019s 89%, but they had a few misfires against Benetton last weekend, so Ryan and company will try to disrupt them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Elrigh Louw v Josh van der Flier<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Sheriff\u201d steps up for a shootout against the 2022 World Player of the Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Van der Flier is Leinster\u2019s sledgehammer, a supremely conditioned cyborg whose mission in part is to set the physical tone, so if teams can shut him down, they\u2019ll both land a psychological blow and slow the kings of continuity down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similarly, Louw is crucial in leading the physical charge for the Pretoria side on both sides of the ball. Like Grobbelaar, this is a golden opportunity for him to show Erasmus he can got it for tat against one of the world\u2019s finest flankers. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Embrose Papier v Jamison Gibson-Park<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
With both teams relying heavily on quick ball, the Bulls to make the most of their pack\u2019s hard work and Leinster to switch gears with their vaunted phase play, the most pivotal of the positional battles will play out at No. 9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These two key cogs will have to be clinical and as well as clever as their decision-making and execution will go a long way towards determining the outcome of the contest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Forgotten Springbok Papier has had a resurgent season, particularly on attack, where he\u2019s greased the wheels of the blue machine masterfully whilst causing defences additional problems with his sniping ability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ireland\u2019s first-choice scrumhalf Gibson-Park is the best No. 9 in the business not named Antoine Dupont. A visionary and tactician rolled into one, the New Zealand-born star pulls the strings like few others can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sebastian de Klerk\/Sergeal Petersen v James Lowe<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Irish giants boast the best wing in the world in Lowe. A pure predator with size, speed and flair – along with a solid left boot – the Kiwi is hard to contain and a man for the big occasion. The second of his two tries against Ulster last weekend showed just how special he is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The footwork right on the touchline \ud83e\udd76

James Lowe showing off his football skills to score an incredible try.

\ud83d\udcfa Stream #VURC<\/a> live: https:\/\/t.co\/0P0NNhnwKw<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/0HEYUxrFLE<\/a><\/p>— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) June 8, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote>