Franco Smith has brushed aside suggestions that Glasgow Warriors have surrendered their home-ground advantage ahead of Saturday’s Vodacom URC semi-final against the Bulls.
With Scotstoun unavailable due to upgrades for next year’s Commonwealth Games, Glasgow will host Johan Ackermann’s Bulls at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.
MORE: Franco’s Warriors wary of Bulls ‘man test’
Many viewed the switch as a boost for the visitors, given Glasgow’s success on Scotstoun’s artificial surface. Smith, however, sees things very differently.
“Scotland and Murrayfield in Edinburgh is still a long way from Pretoria, South Africa,” the former Springbok told News24.
“We are close to home. A lot of our players played at that field growing up. All the school and club finals are played there and many of them have played international rugby there as well.
“It’s not as unfamiliar to us as everybody would think.”
Smith revealed that Glasgow have been preparing for the possibility all season, knowing Scotstoun would be unavailable for the latter stages of the competition.
GROBBIES: Bulls peaking at right time
The Warriors will leave behind the 4G pitch that has become synonymous with their high-tempo attacking game, but Smith insists that will not be a decisive factor.
“Yes, the surface is different, but it’s definitely more common to us than the Bulls,” he said.
“It’s play-off rugby. A lot of things can go wrong and it’s not necessarily the surface you’re playing on.”
Glasgow beat the Bulls in the 2024 URC final at Loftus Versfeld and have also won their last two meetings with the Pretoria side this season.
Photo: Russell Cheyne/REUTERS
