We’re playing for Cornal: Le Roux

Bulls utility-back, Willie le Roux, says the team will use the memory of former teammate, Cornal Hendricks, to spur them on as they face Irish powerhouse Leinster in the United Rugby Championship final this weekend.

The Pretoria franchise is also looking to exorcise the demons of having fallen short against the Stormers and Glasgow in previous previous URC finals.

The Hendricks’ death, a month ago, hit the Bulls hard, no more so than Le Roux who began his professional career with the charismatic winger at Boland.

“Retiring his [No 14] jersey this season, having [Canan] Moodie play in the No 24 jersey and the photos [of Hendricks] on our numbers, reminds us who we are playing for. I think everyone here knows our bigger purpose, so now it’s about going out there and doing it and not just talking about it.”

However, the back-to-back Rugby World Cup winner has had to calm the nerves in his young team.

“Don’t put it on a pedestal and make it that much bigger,” the 35-year-old said on Wednesday. “Then you will go into your shell and won’t want to try stuff and run [the ball] from your own half.”

The final will take place on Saturday at the 82 000 seater Croke Park Stadium in Dublin, with kick-off at 5pm. Written by Ntsako Mkhari