This weekend it’s the last round of games before a month-long break in the competition. This is due to the international break which will see the Springboks heading to Europe for the traditional End-of-Year Tour.

The previous season’s runners-up will also attempt to return to winning ways against the Italian outfit following their disappointing 23-22 defeat to the Scarlets in Llanelli on Friday night.

The Bulls are still fourth on the log after their first four games and they want to go into the break on a high.

The Bulls captain, Reinhardt Ludwig, told OFM Sport that a big performance this week is imperative.

“It definitely does motivate us and mentally it helps to know that you have one game left and then you are off for a couple of weeks,” said the 22-year-old.

“After that, we’re back in it again and it’s only getting tougher after the break. So, it’s one week we have to stick together, fight it through, and then when we get back to Loftus, we will work on all our weaknesses.

‘It’s not going to get any easier’

“Then after that, it’s a couple of big games lying ahead – there are a couple of Derby’s, then Saracens and Connacht away. It’s not going to get any easier.

“It’s a nice time to regroup. But yeah, it’s nice to know that you can give everything this week and then have a couple of weeks off.”

Friday’s game in Treviso kicks off at 20:35.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh/cg