A grand final for the Bulls
The Vodacom Bulls are in Dublin this week preparing for the United Rugby Championship Grand Final — a massive season-ending clash against Irish giants Leinster at Croke Park.
Jake White’s men face steep odds, with Leinster packed with internationals and widely tipped to win. But the Bulls have their own powerful motivation: the memory of former teammate Cornal Hendricks.
The team has retired the number 14 jersey for the season in his honour, and Saturday’s final takes place exactly one month after Hendricks passed away — on May 14.
White has leaned into the symbolism, even referencing the 1920 Bloody Sunday massacre — also linked to the number 14 — which took place at the same venue where the final will be held.
In the latest episode of To the Last Drop, hosts Brenden Nel and Liam del Carme break down the Bulls’ chances and what it will take to pull off an upset. We also hear from Bulls players Willie le Roux and Akker van der Merwe, as well as Leinster’s Dan Sheehan, ahead of one of the biggest matches in the franchise’s history.
Listen to the full episode of To the Last Drop at the top of the page, or directly below:
About the 'To The Last Drop' podcast hosts
Liam Del Carme
Liam is one of the country's most enduring sports writers. His time in newsrooms pre-dates rugby, turning professional in the 1990s. He has been in the employ of broadsheet newspapers The Cape Argus, Sunday Independent, This Day and Beeld, and is currently the rugby writer at The Sunday Times. Liam has reported at six Rugby World Cups and around 20 Currie Cup finals.
He loves cooking and travelling and is the author of the book 'WINGING IT – On tour with the Boks'. When time allows, he is a television pundit and writes a regular column on timeslive.co.za under the title ‘The Worst of Times’.
Brenden Nel
Rugby has always been a passion for Brenden, so much so that he made it a career. Since first entering a newsroom at the Citizen almost three decades ago, he has written for some of the biggest titles in the world, including Rapport, the Independent (UK), The Times (UK), South China Morning Post and a host of others. Currently, he covers all things rugby for Supersport.com and has reported on no less than four World Cups, five Sevens World Cups and around 250 test matches in total.
Brenden is also the author of 'Derick Hougaard – Dieware storie van Loftus se Liefling' and has a popular YouTube channel under his name. He loves nothing more when away from the game than a glass of good red wine, a good fire and spending time with his wife and four rescue dogs.