Stormers v Bulls: Jake White finds inspiration in golf ahead of URC blockbuster

In a repeat of last season's tournament final that the Stormers won at Cape Town Stadium, the Bulls will enter as underdogs after finishing 6th on the URC log this season to the Stormers' 3rd.

This is the latest instalment in what has become an entertaining rivalry between White and Stormers coach John Dobson, with the latter having tasted success in the last five URC meetings between the sides.

A keen golfer, White recently played at Leopard Creek in Mpumalanga alongside Morne du Plessis and Schalk Burger Senior. He left his round with a golfing analogy when summarising the season so far.

White has been through several ups and downs with the Bulls since taking the reins during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, and he compares that to what professional golfers experience when playing tournaments.

"It's a bit like when I coached the Springboks. You know what it feels like when you’re in that hole, and you will find any way not to go there again," he said.

"I remember in the Rugby World Cup in 2007, because we had struggled in 2006, it was definitely a motivating factor for us.

"Ernie Els said a part of what keeps him working so hard at the game is a fear of failing. You work hard so you don't have to go there. Ernie has hit the nail on the head with that.

"There are so many variables you have to go through in golf to win a tournament. You first need to play for two days to make the cut, and then the last two days to make sure you win the tournament. One of the things I've always said to my players is that in golf there is always pressure.

"The pressure is sometimes for the young golfer or rookie to make enough money and make the cut. Then you get the Ernie Els's and Tiger Woods's and the greats that don't worry about the cut.