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The Buccaneers have been compared to a rugby team as the 2020 Currie Cup season kicks off this weekend
Western province assistant coach Rito Hlungwani says they are the Orlando Pirates of South African rugby.
Hlungwani was responding to rivals Blue Bulls’ head coach Jake White, who recently compared his team to English giants Liverpool FC and Manchester United.
“I’m very happy. I signed for this franchise on the basis that they are a sleeping giant,” White said in MESS after guiding the Bulls to the 2020 Super Rugby Unlocked title over the weekend.
“This is one of the best franchises in the world: this is Liverpool or Manchester United in rugby. You look at teams around the world and the Bulls will be there.
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“If you look at Real Madrids, Juventuses, Liverpools or Man Uniteds, if you went to the five or six, seven rugby clubs in the world, this would be one of them.”
The Bulls are one of the giants of South African rugby and are co-owned by Mamelodi Sundowns president Patrice Motsepe, and the mining magnet bought 37% of the franchise 12 months ago.
The Pretoria-based giants will face Western Province in the first round of the 2020 Currie Cup season at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday afternoon.
Hlungwani has been somewhat critical of White, stating that Liverpool struggled for 30 years before finally clinching the league title during the 2019/20 season.
“I’d just like to say that I like soccer a little bit, so I think Province could be compared to the Orlando Pirates,” Hlungwani said at a news conference.
“It must be good for them [the Bulls] to compare with Liverpool, who struggled for 30 years to win something.
“Liverpool have a good coach in Jurgen Klopp. I mean Up the Bucs, if anything.”
The Pirates are one of the top soccer teams in the country and were the first PSL club to win three major trophies in a single consecutive season between 2010 and 2012.
Check out Hlungwani’s response to White below:
