Booth searching for perfect five as Ospreys face challenging Bulls test 

After causing an almighty shock by turning DHL Stormers 27-21 last weekend on their own patch, the Ospreys face off against a Bulls side smarting from a rare home defeat themselves. 

The 27-22 defeat kick-started an extraordinary day of rugby which saw the form book ripped up as Jake White’s fourth-placed side would taste defeat in Pretoria against European opponents for the first time.  

The defeat would also be the South African province’s second in a row for the first time this term leading to an intriguing match-up with their Welsh opponents this afternoon. 

The Ospreys have lost both meetings with the Bulls previously in the competition but will go into the match full of confidence having knocked off more fancied Lions, Sharks and Stormers sides since the turn of the year. 

With just one point separating today’s hosts and 11^th-placed Lions margins are fine and both sides will know there is no room for error in the final run-in if they want to qualify for the knockout play-off stages. 

Booth’s side are still rank outsiders for a top-eight finish with their South African tour followed by a daunting task against leaders Leinster, however being the underdog has suited the never-say-die attitude within the Ospreys camp. 

The former Harlequins and London Irish coach though sees every game as a cup final and with discipline feels his side has an opportunity to get a result, but admits it is a tough challenge. 

No side has scored more points than the South African’s in the first quarter of games this season and playing at altitude Booth feels the Ospreys can’t afford to start slowly. 

“With the conditions and heat you don’t want to be chasing from too far behind,” said Booth.  

“Ultimately, all the constraints tap you on the shoulder and tell you this is going to be very difficult and a massive test of resilience. 

“If we can start well and overcome that super strength of theirs that will help.  

“That being said, if they do get it [a fast start], we had a similar experience with the Lions in Europe and we do come on strong – we are a team that won’t go away. 

“From that point-of-view, we would love to control that whole dialogue but I’m not sure we can control that. They are playing at home with some extra incentive after their recent results. 

“We can’t underestimate how difficult this is going to be. 

“We are though sitting in a situation where we have had South African opposition four times this season and won all four. 

“If someone had told you that at the start, you would take that, wouldn’t you? 

“We now have an opportunity this weekend – in a very difficult arena against very difficult opposition – to win five from five. 

“It’s a way of life over here and, whatever happens this weekend, we have certainly got some respect and Welsh rugby has got some respect in this part of the world because of the actions of the team and the team have done brilliantly. 

“For us, it’s all about energy, clarity and effort. We know what we are, and we are proud of what we are. We are a team that won’t go away. 

“We have created a bit of a narrative that it can be done, and we will look to try and continue. 

“We are in the hunt for the play-offs, and we just need to make sure we are in with a chance come the last week.” 

[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]