Has the cross-Jukskei derby lost its lustre?

The Bulls and Lions go face to face of their United Rugby Championship (URC) cross-Jukskei derby at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday afternoon, with little fanfare main as much as the recreation. What is a well-known match-up in South African rugby historical past, between the two Gauteng rivals, appears to have lost its lustre over the years and has develop into simply one other recreation between native rivals. ALSO READ: Lions bracing for bodily battle in opposition to ‘harmful’ Bulls That could possibly be all the way down to how neither facet has been at their finest when dealing with one another over the previous few many years, with the Lions going via…

The Bulls and Lions go face to face of their United Rugby Championship (URC) cross-Jukskei derby at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday afternoon, with little fanfare main as much as the recreation.

What is a well-known match-up in South African rugby historical past, between the two Gauteng rivals, appears to have lost its lustre over the years and has develop into simply one other recreation between native rivals.

ALSO READ: Lions bracing for bodily battle in opposition to ‘dangerous’ Bulls

That could possibly be all the way down to how neither facet has been at their finest when dealing with one another over the previous few many years, with the Lions going via a tough patch, adopted by the Bulls struggling after which again over to the Lions once more.

During the Bulls’ dominance of Super Rugby in the Super 14 period between 2006 and 2010, the place they received three of the 5 titles, the Lions have been dismal ending in the backside three on the log in all 5 of these seasons, together with ending backside twice.

When the Lions lastly managed to develop into SA’s high facet, making three straight Super Rugby finals from 2016-2018, it was the Bulls’ flip to crash, with them ending ninth, 15^th and 12^th over these seasons.

Same stage

In latest occasions with the Bulls rising again up, the Lions have slipped down and since neither has been on the identical stage in a very long time that may have taken away from the contest.

Lions captain Marius Louw was even requested throughout a press convention in the week if the Jukskei derby nonetheless made the hairs get up on the again of the gamers’ necks and though his response was diplomatic, it wasn’t precisely crammed with pleasure.

“I think it’s always entertaining when Gauteng comes together for the Jukskei derby. It’s always lovely and I am really looking forward to it,” stated Louw.

The present headlining derby in SA rugby is undoubtedly the conflict between the Stormers and Bulls which has gone on to achieve new heights in the URC.

Although the Stormers have dominated the Bulls over the previous three seasons, profitable all seven conferences between the two, it’s nonetheless by far the hottest native derby, with round 40,000 followers turning up for his or her most up-to-date encounter at the Cape Town Stadium this previous December.