JOHANNESBURG – Thanks to the youthful exuberance of Junior Springbok lock Eli Snyman, there is still plenty of belief within the Blue Bulls ranks that they can beat Griquas in Kimberley and keep their Currie Cup play-off hopes alive.
However, the precarious position the Bulls find themselves in after losing two matches to the Sharks and Golden Lions is not lost to the Harare-born lock and they know that they will have to dig deep to overcome the mistakes that led to their loss against the Lions on Saturday.
“Obviously we did well and got ahead but it was small things like lack of concentration on defence that let the guys in. Two soft tries and that was them back in the game,” Snyman said.
“Obviously if you don’t win the guys are going to be disappointed it is human nature. But coach Pote (Human) said there are three games left and we have to win them all.
“There is not much more motivation than that. The guys are ready, it is going to be a tough one in Kimberley but the guys are going there to do a job and get five points.”
Ivan van Zyl of the Bulls during the 2018 Currie Cup match against the Golden Lions at the Loftus Versveld Stadium on Saturday. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
As confident as the 22-year-old Snyman is in the abilities of his teammates to be able to rectify the “small things” which are hindering them from winning games, Snyman admits that the pressure is mounting on the men in blue to finally come right in Kimberley.
“Kimberley is a tough place. To go play anywhere in this short competition is tough.
“We back ourselves and we are playing good rugby, but it is just small things which are costing us. If we go there, stick by our processes, and work hard then hopefully we will get the result,” Snyman said.
“Obviously there is pressure on us now. Having lost the last two games we are obviously going to feel the pressure.
“We are in this situation right now and only we can get ourselves out of it. Hopefully we can go to Kimberley, where first prize will see us get five points, and as I said the guys are ready. There will always be pressure,” Snyman added.
Thembelani Bholi in action for the Blue Bulls against the Free State Cheetahs. Photo: Frikkie Kapp/BackpagePix
And Snyman knows all about pressure, having forfeited his eligibility for playing for his country of birth, Zimbabwe, after appearing for the SA Under-20 side.
Now Snyman will have to help guide the Bulls forwards with the same belief he has shown in the past, as he was able to remain relevant at Loftus playing as an understudy to the likes of Springboks Lood de Jager, RG Snyman and Jason Jenkins.
“Obviously I have struggled with injuries in the last two years and I thank coach Pote for giving me a chance. I pride myself in the lineouts so hopefully this weekend we can have a repeat of that.
Griquas are a physical side and that is one of the main things they bring. It all starts up front, the forwards are going to have to pitch. I felt like we did that this weekend (against the Lions) but small mistakes are costing us,” said Snyman.