Springbok legends Schalk Burger and Jean de Villiers have issued a stark warning to Northampton Saints ahead of their highly anticipated Champions Cup clash against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld this Saturday. The game is set to take place under extreme heat, with temperatures expected to soar to 31°C in Pretoria. This, combined with the midday kick-off, will create a challenging environment for Northampton, especially as the northern regions of South Africa have been enduring a heatwave.
Appearing on the Boks Office podcast, alongside former Springboks hooker Hanyani Shimange, both Burger and De Villiers highlighted how difficult it would be for Northampton to adapt to the intense conditions. Shimange described the experience as “life-changing” for the visitors, while Burger and De Villiers shared their own past experiences of playing in such extreme heat. Burger recalled a semi-final match he played in Pretoria, where temperatures were unbearably high. He mentioned a team-mate who, after only 25 minutes in the heat, complained of “seeing dead people” and had to be substituted.
The conditions, coupled with the high altitude of Loftus Versfeld, will likely give the Bulls a significant advantage. De Villiers, noting that Northampton is struggling in the Premiership this season, predicted a tough outing for the Saints, emphasizing that they would find it difficult to beat the Bulls in their home environment.
He also pointed out that many of the Northampton players would not be familiar with the altitude and the tough conditions, making it harder for them to perform. However, De Villiers did acknowledge that Northampton’s attacking game could play in their favor if they can adapt early on.
Ultimately, the Springbok legends believe that the Bulls will dominate, especially if they get off to a strong start and establish dominance in set-pieces. If they do, the game could quickly turn one-sided.