The match between last season’s runners-up and the Irish giants is expected to have Test-match intensity, even though Leinster are in South Africa without many of their Ireland Six Nations players – who are only set to arrive in the country next week.

The Bulls can take a significant step towards securing a home playoff if they manage to do what no other team has been able to this season – hand Leinster their first defeat.

Jake White. Photo: Morgan Piek

While much has been made of Leinster bringing over a second-string side, the Bulls themselves are without several key players and Springboks.

The Bulls’ World Cup-winning coach, Jake White, told OFM Sport he sees this match as an excellent yardstick to measure his team’s progress. While it may be a “watered-down” Leinster squad, he still expects a thrilling encounter.

“I was interested because I was looking at comments, and quite rightly, a lot of people pointed out that many of the Irish internationals aren't here,” said White.

“But then I look at our own side – Gerhard Steenekamp, Elrigh Louw, Cobus Wiese, and Ruan Nortjé, four forwards who would definitely be in our starting team. Kurt-Lee Arendse, is probably one of the best outside backs in the world. Canan Moodie is still recovering from his HIA, and Johan Goosen is also unavailable.

“So I see this as an opportunity to test our squad depth against a team that has shown, over the last few years, how to build depth and perform without their star players every week.

“For me, it's an exciting game because it allows us to measure ourselves against a team that has set the standard in our competition and others. Leinster have mastered the art of creating depth and putting young players under pressure while mixing them with experienced heads.”

Kurt-Lee Arendse. Photo: Morgan Piek

“I use the example of RG Snyman, a double World Cup winner, Jordie Barrett in their squad, and Rabah Slimani, who has played tighthead for France many times. Any team will tell you that having a backbone consisting of a lock, a tighthead prop, and a back of Jordie Barrett’s calibre adds immense value.

“I'm sure Leinster have learned over the years that they need experienced players like that to complement their academy players and develop the next generation.

“Who knows? Maybe that’s a model we should consider as well – bringing in seasoned overseas pros. I'm not necessarily a fan of it because I believe we need to look after South African players first, but Leinster’s approach has certainly been effective.”

Johan Goosen. Photo: Morgan Piek

“When I say ‘seasoned,’ I don’t mean old – I mean players with experience, who can contribute to the development of younger players.

“This will be a great game and a good benchmark for us to see where our next-best players are. Both teams are missing key players, so it will be interesting to see where we stand in our development pathway and whether we can compete with the top sides week in and week out,” said White.

Saturday’s clash between the Bulls and Leinster at Loftus Versfeld kicks off at 17:00.

Cardiff Blues vs. Lions. Photo: Cardiff Rugby

Meanwhile, on Friday evening the Cardiff Blues beat the Lions 20-17 in Cardiff, Wales. On Saturday at 14:45, the Sharks will face Zebre at Kings' Park in Durban, and at 17:00 the Scarlets will entertain the Stormers at Parc Y Scarlets in Llanelli, Wales.

Bulls – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Alulutho Tshakweni.

Replacements –16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Nizaam Carr, 22 Zak Burger, 23 Devon Williams.

Leinster – 15 Jimmy O’Brien, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Hugh Cooney, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Andrew Osborne, 10 Ross Byrne, 9 Luke McGrath (captain), 8 James Culhane, 7 Will Connors, 6 Max Deegan, 5 Diarmuid Mangan, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 John McKee, 1 Jack Boyle

Replacements – 16 Stephen Smyth, 17 Ivan Soroka, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Brian Deeny, 20 Alex Soroka, 21 Scott Penny, 22 Fintan Gunne, 23 Ciarán Frawley

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg