Prendergast says Munster knows what is ahead of them in Bulls pen

Jake White left a string of Springboks at home to prepare for the visit of the league champions as the battle for home advantage in the knockout stages intensifies.

BULL PEN: Attack Coach Mike Prendergast knows they face a tough challenge when they take on Bulls on Saturday. Pic: ©INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/Christiaan Kotze

Munster got a fair warning how the Bulls are approaching Saturday’s crunch URC game in Pretoria when Jake White sent a second string outfit to Franklin’s Gardens for their Champions Cup clash with Northampton Saints.

White left a string of Springboks at home to prepare for the visit of the league champions as the battle for home advantage in the knockout stages intensifies.

Munster attack coach Mike Prendergast said they have been warned of what to expect at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday where the Bulls have been on an unbeaten run going back a year.

And with temperatures expected to be in the high 20s in addition to the difficulties at altitude, Prendergast said they need to tailor their approach to this particular challenge.

"There will probably be a small bit of a different approach, which is good, it's exciting, it's something a little bit different for us.

"It is challenging, so we spoke about it as a staff and with the players, in terms of having a plan. We know they have the ability to turn it on when anything becomes loose,” said Prendergast.

The Bulls are currently third, two points ahead of Munster, in the table with five games remaining before the knockout stages.

Munster are four points clear of the Stormers but then there are six other teams within five points of them heading towards the business end of the season.

Prendergast said they need to play the conditions, deal with the hostile atmosphere as well as handle a Bulls team anxious to preserve their impressive home run.

"I just think we have to be smart in how we play, not to overplay also. I've no doubt they'll come out of the sheds full of physicality, full of ambition when that ball, or if that ball is turned over,” added Prendergast.

"We need to be smart when we have it, how we plan, but also protect the ball. The breakdown is going to be huge, they have plenty of poach threats around the place.

"We need to be really on it, on our game this weekend, to be right in there. With the conditions, it's going to be the 23 men that are going to be hugely important for this challenge," he added.