Bulls skipper Ludwig locked in for Springbok giant RG Snyman

It doesn’t get much bigger than facing RG Snyman – literally and figuratively – and the Bulls seem to be making a special plan to counter the Springbok giant.

Current captain Reinhardt Ludwig has been operating at blindside flank for most of his senior career, but is now set to don the Bulls No 5 jersey in Saturday’s huge United Rugby Championship clash against Leinster at Loftus Versfeld (5pm start).

The 22-year-old utility forward is not daunted by the challenge of taking on Snyman, though, especially with regular skipper Ruan Nortjé still out with a knee injury.

Junior Springbok JF van Heerden has stepped into the No 5 breach in the meantime, but Ludwig is set to shift from blindside flank to lock this weekend.

Asked about his thoughts of preparing for a Leinster A or B team – with many of their Irish Six Nations stars set to be rested this week – Ludwig said: “They are definitely coming to make a statement here at Loftus, but I think if we can just focus on ourselves, then we’ll be fine.

“Position-specifically, you prepare for both sides. In my position, I look at James Ryan, I look at RG. So, whoever plays, we will be prepared for what they do and what they bring.

“But mentally, this week, Leinster’s coming to win here. So mentally, you don’t have to change much – whether they bring a B side or A side.

“Some of the guys in the Six Nations squad didn’t play enough, and we are definitely prepared for that.

“So far, it might look like that (playing at lock)! But I don’t know... we only hear the team on Thursday. But so far, it looks like that.”

Coach Jake White will name his team on Friday, and while the Bulls may be confident that they can knock over a weakened Leinster side again – having thrashed such a team 62-7 in April 2023 at Loftus – Ludwig is wary of Snyman’s influence.

“I definitely respect RG as a player. We are obviously from the same school (Affies in Pretoria). So, it’s quite an exciting match coming up. I do respect him, but whatever (happens) on the field, we’ll have to battle it out,” he said.

“He’s won two World Cups, so he’s a much respected player.

“To be honest, I enjoy playing lock more at the moment – but it’s because I’ve played more minutes in that saddle.

“I only started playing flank after school, so it’s still new to me. I know there’s still a lot to work on, still a lot to grow.

“But I do think it’s good to be exposed to as many positions as possible. You learn a lot playing in a new position – seeing the game from a new perspective and challenging yourself.

“But at this stage, I do enjoy playing five lock more than seven. But I think it’s just because I’ve spent more minutes in the saddle.”

The Bulls, of course, will be hoping to get back to winning ways after losing their last match 19-16 to the Stormers in Pretoria on March 1.

Ludwig was adamant that the lineout errors from that encounter have been addressed, and is expecting a much more polished display this time around.

And he will hope that it stays dry in Pretoria on Saturday. There is rain forecast for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, but it should be clear on match-day.

“Regarding the Stormers game, I think it was a tough match – the weather... You can make lots of excuses. But I think we were still in the game,” Ludwig said.

“Our lineout probably cost us a bit of points in that match, and just that last try they scored in the 67th minute – from a kick – we lost the scraps, and Wandi (Simelane) scored.

“That was almost the turning point in the game. But it happens in sport, and I would rather let it happen now than at the end of the season in a playoff game.

“It was just in the last match against the Stormers that we battled a bit (in the lineouts). But in the previous two matches against the Lions and Sharks, it was actually quite good.

“Against the Stormers, it was more communication problems, with the rain and everything. We changed a few things before the match, just to deal with the rain and the wet field.

“There just wasn’t total clarity, but it was small things – not things we need to totally change.

“I think we are still in a good place in terms of the bigger picture, and we must just continue to focus on our strong points.

“Just do what always worked, and focus on your basics, and then you will be alright.”