As the Vodacom Bulls return to Loftus Versfeld after a bruising yet successful four-week European tour, loose forward Marco van Staden speaks of more than just tactics and training loads. For the veteran flanker, the recent break wasn’t just about resting battered bodies — it was about reconnecting with purpose, family, and what it truly means to wear the blue jersey.
The Bulls are riding a wave of momentum heading into this weekend’s crucial United Rugby Championship (URC) clash against Cardiff. But with playoffs looming and a top-two finish in sight, it’s not just about securing five points — it’s about sharpening the edge.
“I think the rest was very good for us,” Van Staden said during a media session this week. “It was a very hard tour — Munster and Glasgow back-to-back — so just resting the bodies a bit came at the right time. We’ve got another big game coming up and then the playoffs, so the break suited us well.”
The Bulls, sitting just a point behind Glasgow, have every reason to chase maximum points in their final two fixtures. Still, Van Staden insists that the side won’t be blinded by the scoreboard.
“We’re focusing on our processes — the things that have been working for us,” he said. “If we do that right, the bonus points will come. But first we win the game. That’s the main thing.”
The Pretoria side showed resilience and grit abroad, notably in their victories over two URC heavyweights. Yet, Van Staden acknowledges the finer details still need polish.
“We’re creating opportunities, but sometimes we’re not finishing them. It’s those small things — being more clinical, especially in pressure moments — that can make the difference in finals rugby.”
It’s a sentiment that speaks directly to the Bulls’ journey over the past two seasons: tantalisingly close, yet falling short when it mattered most. Now, with a shot at hosting a semi-final and perhaps going one better, Van Staden believes consistency and calm will be key.
“We’ve made finals before, but it’s about not changing who we are when the pressure ramps up,” he explained. “Play the way we train. Stick to what’s worked. Improve on the fundamentals. Don’t let the occasion play the game for you.”
Back in Pretoria, the Bulls are not just reunited as a team — many players, including Van Staden, have returned to family life after a demanding tour. For the 28-year-old Springbok, that means nappy duty and night feeds with his newborn daughter — his second child.
“It’s definitely a shift,” he laughed. “You come from four weeks away, and then it’s full-on at home. But it’s a big motivation. I’m playing for my family, and so are a lot of the guys. It creates a bigger ‘why’ for us — we’re playing for each other, for our families, and for everyone not on the field.”
That sense of shared purpose, he believes, is what carried them through their European stint and what could fuel a strong push in the final stretch.
“We’ve got a great group — guys who fight for each other. Whether you’re playing or not, we’re all in it together. That unity is massive.”
As for Cardiff, Van Staden expects nothing short of a full-blooded encounter.
“They’re going to come with intent. It’s going to be a battle, no doubt,” he warned. “We’ve maybe not been as strong at Loftus this season as we’d like, but we want to put that right. We want Loftus to be a fortress again.”
With form, family, and a fierce playoff chase converging at Loftus this weekend, the Bulls find themselves at a pivotal moment — not just in the season, but in their story.
This Saturday, it’s more than a match. It’s about momentum, motivation, and making Loftus home again.
