Despite thrashing Western Province with a scoreline that looked like a typo, 48-23, in their opening match of the 2025 Currie Cup, Vodacom Bulls captain Nama Xaba is adamant that the team is just warming up. The match, which took place in Cape Town, saw the Bulls not only snatch a victory but also bag all possible points from the encounter. Yet, Captain Cool Xaba feels this is just the appetizer in their seven-course Currie Cup meal.
Returning to his old stomping ground in Cape Town to lead the Bulls, Xaba's debut as captain in the competition was nothing short of a spectacle. However, the skipper was quick to temper any premature celebrations, pointing out areas needing polish.
"There’s still so much we need to improve on from that game,"
Xaba remarked. He highlighted the latter half of the game as a window of opportunity for their opponents and critiqued their kick-off receptions.Xaba was, however, not all critiques and caution. He took a moment to shine a light on the fresh faces in the squad, whose debut performances were peppered with promising bursts of brilliance.
"There was a real hunger from the guys to put their hands up and showcase their skillset,"
he beamed, underscoring the importance of providing a platform for emerging talent.Looking ahead, Xaba steered clear of any title talk, choosing instead to keep his eyes on the prize — the next game against the reigning champions, the Sharks from Durban. While he acknowledged Boland's impressive performance, for him, the real test awaits this weekend at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. It's a match that not only promises to be a clash of titans but also a litmus test for the Bulls' championship mettle this season.
The Bulls are set to host the Hollywoodbets Sharks on August 2nd, with the kickoff at 17:10. Fans eagerly waiting to see if the Bulls can switch to a higher gear can snag their tickets and possibly witness another rugby spectacle. As for Xaba and his crew, it's clear they're not resting on their laurels — or their laureates, considering that scintillating start. The Currie Cup saga continues, and if the Bulls have more gears to find, the rugby world better be ready for some high-octane action.