When the Vodacom Bulls take on Cardiff Rugby in Round 3 of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship on Saturday, it will be an unfamiliar experience for the side as they are set to play on a synthetic pitch at Cardiff Arms Park.
Set pieces are likely to be a crucial element of the game when the South African side faces their Welsh counterparts.
Vodacom Bulls prop, Lizo Gqoboka, is confident his team will be ready and will need to adapt quickly.
“Fortunately, our management managed to organise for us to have a feel of the pitch at training this week,” he said.
“At least, we have had a feel of the pitch before our game on Saturday. It is something we need to adapt to. There are a couple of things to adapt to and the most important thing for us is not to complain but to learn as quickly as possible.”
Among the things the Vodacom Bulls have had to adapt to in the opening two rounds of the Vodacom URC is the weather conditions which proved to be a big test in Ireland against Leinster and Connacht.
Gqoboka, however, emphasized the importance of not looking for excuses, but rather adapting and working on improving as a team.
“The conditions are different,” said the loosehead prop.
“The tempo at which they play is very different, they are quite accurate in executing what they intend executing in these conditions which they are used to.
“We need to learn quickly, adjust and adapt to the conditions. With that said, we need to also focus on ourselves and continue improving, continue analysing what they do and countering that as we keep learning and growing.
The 31-year-old Springbok scored the first Vodacom Bulls try of the championship in last weekend’s clash against Connacht Rugby, but his celebration was short-lived.
“I was happy about scoring the try, but we lost the game,” he said.
“That doesn’t make me happy because the team comes first – what we achieve as a team is most important.”
The Vodacom Bulls’ clash against Cardiff Rugby will kick-off at 20h35 (SA time).
