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In contrast to Wales, Bale has been frozen out at Real Madrid but could be leaving the club soon.

Finally, after months of frustration on both sides, Real Madrid appears ready to offload Gareth Bale, with the Welsh winger headed for Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer. In other elite-player news, Paris Saint-Germain seems prepared to keep Neymar by offering the worlds most expensive transfer a lucrative contract extension, as it did with Kylian Mbapp not long ago. For Neymar, this would reportedly be a five-year deal.

As the big breakaway edges closer for Bale, who can soon put any troubles firmly behind him, he and Neymar seem to be taking different decisions, with one seeking a fresh challenge and the other staying put. Yet, with discontent never far away from both players, they each represent the same curious reality within super clubs today, which has been growing in relevance for a whilethat money is virtually boundless, and what it brings is never enough.

Combined, Real and PSG have spent well over 300 million ($317 million) in upfront fees for the players mentioned, plus much more in wages. In Neymars situation, no team has paid more for a recruit than PSG did for the Brazilian in 2017, whisking him away from Barcelona for 222 million ($234 million).

For all their goals and accolades, critical perceptions have continued to surface. For Bale, they have often been over his lack of game time and supposed struggles to adapt to Real. For Neymar, his brilliance has not propelled Paris Saint-Germain to a first Champions League honor, which has drawn criticism. And, of course, there is the expectation that when flush teams invest boldly, anything but the best is insufficient.

As Diario AS wrote earlier this month, a curse (Spanish) seems to have fallen over the majority of signings costing over 100 million ($106 million), of which there have been 12 so far. Neymar heads this small but presumably growing band, followed bythats right, another PSG playerstrike partner Mbapp. That cant just be a coincidence. With big bets come high pressure, scrutiny and no room for error. It practically dooms a player from the start.

Nowadays, Neymar the brand seems so far removed from the young, innocent soccer sensation who caught ... [+] the world's attention from Brazil.

Especially in Bales case, all this poses a question. What, exactly, do we expect money to bring? If trophies are the answer, Baleadmirer or nothas ticked all the boxes. Indeed, his performances have clinched final victories in the Champions League and domestic Copa del Rey, with him scoring some of the best Madrid goals ever. When he leaves, those will stay intact.

Its crazy to consider that some will be relieved to see such a player leave. Whats also crazy is how Real has gone on to win more trophies with him on the sidelines, a peripheral figure to whom they can still afford to pay high wages. Equally, the idea that Bale has gone from a hero to a problem is bizarre.

Unlike Bale, who did so for a while, Neymar has not become the ultimate game-changer many would have expected when he left Barcelona for Paris. He has brought something to PSG. But given the monopoly it has over other teams in France, not being crowned a champion of Europe has left his supreme talent somewhat hollow in output. Betting too much on one player has been a problem, and the same approach has also put unnecessary pressure on him at World Cups, which hasnt worked out.

And yet, PSG is prepared to keep shelling out to keep him. Quite simply, its because it can. But to what end? Next season, the 30-year-old is no more likely to take PSG to the next level than he was earlier in his career. His stock is no higher. But PSGs financial pull doesnt relent.

All this shows just how far removed PSG has become, both in terms of a convincing sporting project and success. As much of a fashion brand and NFT player as a soccer club, PSG will probably pick up another Ligue 1 title next year. It will also likely bow out of another European knockout game as it has during most of the last few campaigns, all while spending big to stay in the conversation. The Neymar-PSG relationship is symbiotic in how each gains something from maintaining ties, but not everything.

Bale and Neymar are expensive talents with different itineraries in the game. Perhaps their promise and costly fees have left something to be desired. As one heads to Los Angeles and the other tries again in France, this is not necessarily their puzzle to solve, but one for modern-day soccer instead.

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Gareth Bale And Neymar Have Different Plans; Both Reflect The Same Issue - Forbes

On Sunday at BC Place, the Vancouver Whitecaps face the New England Revolution in league play for the first time since 2019.

The last match played between these two teams was actually a pre-season friendly back February of 2020 at Providence Park where the Whitecaps claimed a 2-0 result with goals from Lucas Cavallini and Ali Adnan. In league play, the Revs are undefeated against the Whitecaps in their last three meetings, spanning back to August of 2017.

Evidently, a lot has changed for both teams since that most recent pre-season match. The Revolution had a standout 2021 season, taking home the Supporters Shield, while the Vancouver Whitecaps roster has undergone a significant overhaul, as well as a coaching change.

In order to learn a little bit more about what has been going on with the Revs these past couple of seasons, as well as preview the match up, we chatted with Jake Catanese, Senior Editor at The Bent Musket.

Q: For those not following the Revs closely, the biggest recent story lines from the club have been the significant player departures. How are the Revs dealing with moving on from those players, both in terms of on-pitch results and new acquisitions?

A: Well I hope that most Canada MNT fans know of Tajon Buchanans transfer to Club Brugge in Belgium last year as the winger officially joined after the end of the 2021 MLS Season. More recently, Matt Turner had his medical at Arsenal this week and that deal has been all but official between the Revs and the London side since February. Adam Buksa has also departed for FC Lens in France as the Polish international moves back to Europe ahead of the World Cup which will see Poland in Group C.

In preseason the Revs brought in a trio of LA Galaxy/USMNT veterans that have worked with Bruce Arena before in Sebastian Lletget, Jozy Altidore, and Omar Gonzalez. Lletget has been a regular starter, Jozy has played some minutes but has been working back to full fitness, and Omar has not done all that well when the Revs were extremely thin at centerback early in the year with injuries and heavy schedule congestion with the CCL and he might have even been dropped from a potential late sub/closer role off the bench as well.

Before the end of the primary MLS transfer window, the Revs did add two names that have had an immediate impact. Colombian attacker/winger Dylan Borrero was signed as a U22 Initiative Player from Brazils Atletico Minero and has done very well so far in MLS notching his first goal last week against Minnesota. In net, the Revs acquired Djordje Petrovic from Serbian side Cukaricki where he also played his youth soccer and posted a 20-7-7 record and 18 clean sheets in first full season with Cukaricki and has already notched wins in MLS and the US Open Cup for the Revs. Its been a busy year for transfers for the usually quiet Revs team especially with three high profile sales to Europe which are the clubs first since Clint Dempsey joined Fulham about 15 years ago but the Revs have been very proactive on the scouting front under Bruce Arena and now have a lot of financial resources to make a few big moves if needed immediately this summer or perhaps a handful of moves with the long term in mind after the World Cup.

Q: Other than last season where the Revs dominated the league, the club has typically been a fringe playoff team in recent years. Where are the expectations set for this season and how much did last year change how the club views itself?

The Revs history with the MLS Cup is well known and it is still a priority for the Revs to win that accursed trophy and they have a tremendous core still with current DPs Carles Gil and Gustavo Bou still on the roster and the potential to add a lot more alongside newcomers Borrero and Petrovic and mainstays like Farrell, Jones and Bye. Honestly, the next few years are crucial for the Revs because they have to continue to turn the page of a franchise that prior to hiring Bruce Arena, did not have a strong reputation financially. Being willing to spend but also sell players along with the teams brand new training ground up in Foxboro could make New England a very attractive location for young players looking to make the eventual jump to Europe. In the short term, with Carles Gil in a single elimination knockout game, the Revs have to be a threat in the playoffs and their current form is rebounding and has them in 6th in the East after a slow start. With a shield already in the trophy cabinet, this is a franchise that should be striving to compete for not just domestic titles but continental ones as well.

Q: Coming into BC Place, what kind of road results have the Revs enjoyed this year, and how do you anticipate Bruce Arena will set up his team for this fixture?

A: The Revs were a mess no matter where they played in the early part of the year with injuries and squad rotation for the CCL hampering their consistency in the first month or so. More recently, the Revs snagged late wins at Cincinnati and Kansas City thanks to goals from Tommy McNamara in the 89th and Ema Boateng in the 87th respectively in those matches. A three game road trip in July to NYCFC, Philadelphia, and Columbus could be the defining stretch of the Revs season that could see them rechallenge at the top of the East or settle into the lower playoff seeds. With New England currently in an eight game unbeaten streak (4W-4D-0L), continuing that form into and through that rough road slate could position themselves very well for the playoffs.

This week, the Revs have a specific problem and that is the injury to Matt Polster who is still out with a concussion. The Revs started Tommy Mac and Wilfrid Kaptoum as the two holding mids in the Revs reworked preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. Lletget, Henry Kessler, and Brandon Bye also missed last weeks win against Minnesota and are still listed as questionable so I dont expect a lot of changes from last weeks lineup which was:

Petrovic; Jones, Bell, Farrell, DeLaGarza; McNamara, Kaptoum; Bou, Gil, Borrero; Altidore

Changes that wouldnt surprise me would be Bou up top and maybe homegrown Damien Rivera getting a start on the wing. Ryan Spaulding could spell at left back switching DeJuan Jones to right back. Maciel could also start at either of the two holding/center mid spots behind Carles Gil. The Revs did pretty well defensively last week limiting Minnesota to only one great chance via a penalty that the Loons converted. Hopefully the more Borrero gets comfortable and involved the more the Revs offense can begin to click even without Buksa up top.

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Match Preview: Vancouver Whitecaps host NE Revolution - Eighty Six Forever

England Women will receive the biggest indication of their Euro 2022 credentials on Friday evening when they host the Netherlands in a pre-tournament friendly at Elland Road in Leeds.

The match comes after Sarina Wiegman's England side registered a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Belgium last Thursday.

This week's test against the reigning European champions gives England a chance to examine how competition ready they are against Europe's best - with this the first meeting between the two sides since 2017's edition of the tournament - when England lost 3-0 to the Dutch.

Wiegman called for more ruthlessness following the Belgium display, which offered plenty of creativity through 25 shots, - 10 on target - but lacked a cutting edge, as two of England's three strikes on the night went down as own goals.

The Lionesses manager, facing her former employers for the first time, has placed greater importance on England's consistency in the final third, ahead of a contest against the side she guided to Euros success in 2017.

England come into the tie undefeated in their last 12 matches across all competitions, winning 10, during which time they have scored 75 goals and conceded only twice, albeit against lesser-ranked opposition.

What does Opta say?

In her pre-match press conference, Lionesses head coach Wiegman insisted the game will not play a psychological role ahead of the European Championships.

England and the Netherlands are considered two of the more likelier countries to win the competition come the end of July, but Wiegman admitted the competition this summer is too fierce for the Elland Road clash to be relevant.

"They are two very good teams, and of course we play the home tournament," said the England manager. "But the Netherlands has the trophy right now, the game has developed so much right now so there are many favourites.

"We have Spain, France, Germany, Sweden are always there, Norway has been very good. It's exciting to see what's going to happen. It's not easy to say who is going to come through, it's going to be very equal I think."

In what will be a major litmus test in terms of England's credentials this summer, Wiegman admits there have not been any special preparations ahead of this pre-tournament contest.

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"We did the same as we always do when preparing our opponents," said Wiegman. "Yes we want to know some things about them but we come back to how we want to approach the game and how we want to play and harm them to cover our strengths.

"It's also their first game they play in the preparations for the Euros. We expect their strongest team. It's time to see our style of play and see what it's like against a good opponent.

"We want to win every game but we want to see an improvement in our style of play, in possession, out of possession and transition. That's what we focus on and hopefully that brings us the win and when you do, it's gives an extra boost in confidence."

Sky Sports News' Anton Toloui:

Wiegman has downplayed the emotion behind the game against her former employers but actions speak louder than words.

Wiegman greeted, chatted and embraced every member of the Netherlands squad and backroom staff before training at Elland Road on Thursday, many of whom she shared years of experience with.

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The happiest of the set was at the Euros in 2017, when a fairly unfancied side won the tournament in front of a jubilant home crowd. So many of the Dutch players became bigger names, got big moves and earned bigger contracts off the back of the success masterminded by Wiegman. She helped put women's football on the agenda in the Netherlands.

Chatting to Mark Parsons off-camera, he's well aware of the pressure replacing a national hero comes with but isn't shying away from it. He's coached some of the biggest names in North America, with Becky Sauerbrunn, Crystal Dunn and Christine Sinclair part of his successful Portland Thorns side. A win against England and Wiegman will send a message his Netherlands team is a side to be reckoned with despite the fact other teams have shorter tournament odds.

But Wiegman is unbeaten as England head coach, a record she's determined to keep intact regardless of the personal attachment to the occasion.

Sky Sports' Sam Blitz:

It's been plain sailing for Wiegman so far as Lionesses coach. Zero defeats, just two goals conceded in a dozen games and a confident squad going into the Euros.

But the last few days have seen the first wobble in terms of preparation. Star striker Ellen White has been ruled out of this Friday's clash with the Netherlands and could miss the final warm-up match against Switzerland.

The loss of White is a real blow, given the Manchester City forward has 14 goals in her last 13 international matches. If the hour against Belgium last week proves to be her only on-pitch preparation time, then the Lionesses' all-time record goalscorer could come into the group stages a little undercooked.

Consequently, Wiegman will need to give other forward options, who have largely played second fiddle to White in recent years, a chance to demonstrate their credentials.

The most likely replacement for White is Chelsea's Beth England. The 28-year-old holds some impressive international form with eight goals in 16 caps, while her 11 goals helped Chelsea win the Women's Super League and FA Cup double last term.

England came off the bench for White after 60 minutes against Belgium and while she didn't get on the scoresheet, the Lionesses scored twice in the first five minutes she was on the pitch.

Manchester United's Ella Toone is also likely to get some minutes at Elland Road following a brilliant breakout season in the WSL. The 22-year-old has scored 10 goals in 13 England appearances over the past two years and has 19 league strikes for United in that same period.

But pressure to deliver in White's absence will also fall to the wide players, particularly Lauren Hemp. The Man City winger and PFA Young Player of the Year is, arguably, England's most in-form attacker. She was influential against Belgium despite not making an impression on the scoreline.

Beth Mead and Chloe Kelly both looked sharp at Molineux last week and will look to lay further claim to a possible starting berth for the opening group game against Austria. Fran Kirby, Nikita Parris and Alessia Russo will also be poised to pounce, should an opportunity arise.

The Netherlands clash will also be a major test for the Lionesses' backline - who, as previously mentioned, have rarely been tested since their Dutch coach took over.

Wiegman could be tempted to go with her first-choice back four against the likes of Vivianne Miedema and fellow forward Lieke Martens, who scored 23 goals in 32 games for Barcelona last term and will join Paris Saint-Germain after the summer Euros.

That means Millie Bright and Alex Greenwood, who impressed after coming off the bench against Belgium, are likely to get their biggest test in an England shirt for some time should those two Dutch attackers start.

Don't be surprised if Wiegman uses this Netherlands meeting as a dress rehearsal for a potential Lionesses knockout game.

Sky Sports' Laura Hunter:

England are continuing to evolve under Wiegman's leadership. It's the reason she was targeted - she's tactically astute and has a perceptive understanding of the women's game at international level. But implementation of certain ideas remains a work in progress.

The most significant tactical shift has occurred in midfield. Leah Williamson has taken a step forward, literally and figuratively. She's been awarded the captain's armband on a permanent basis but has also morphed into a midfield box-to-boxer - a less familiar role to the one she operates in at club level.

Against Belgium the 25-year-old played as part of a double pivot with Keira Walsh, to good effect. Unsurprisingly, both players were ranked inside the WSL's top 10 for successful passes across a 90-minute period in 2021/22. Walsh's 88 per cent success rate was second-best in the league.

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Their partnership is still developing, but it has promise. The deep-lying midfield role is one that Walsh has a wealth of experience in - Williamson less so. But therein lies its potential. Because the Man City midfielder is so adept at patrolling the middle third of the pitch, it allows for greater freedom further forward.

Against Belgium, Williamson was making purposeful runs from deep and either receiving the ball in a useful position or dragging a defender waywardly out of shape. It caught Belgium off-guard. It also aided service into Georgia Stanway's feet - like a three-way axis. At times Williamson was actually the most advanced midfielder, which speaks to the system's fluidity. The fact that personnel are interchangeable is part of its charm. Certainly, England's ball-carriers - Stanway, Beth Mead, Lucy Bronze and co - were benefiting from the space her selfless runs were creating.

Wiegman's possession-based style calls for a successful midfield combination and it's a department that needed fresh impetus. It won't work against all levels of opposition, but it is worth further exploration.

England will travel to Zurich to take on Switzerland next week, which will conclude their warm-up tour ahead of next month's European Championships.

They face Austria in their tournament opener at Old Trafford on July 6, before further group stage meetings with Norway (Amex Stadium) and Northern Ireland (St Mary's).

Keep up with all the latest from Euro 2022 across Sky Sports and Sky Sports News this summer.

Coverage will be anchored by Sky Sports WSL presenter Caroline Barker, alongside Jessica Creighton and Kyle Walker. Meanwhile, Karen Carney, Sue Smith, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk and Laura Bassett will give analysis throughout the tournament.

They will also be joined by experienced England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley and Manchester City defender Esme Morgan.

The pundits and presenters will work from the Sky Sports Women's Euro 2022 Mobile Presentation Bus, which will follow the Sky Sports News team around the country to the various stadiums where matches are being played.

In addition, Sky Sports' Essential Football Podcast will be rebranded for the tournament to Sky Sports Women's Euros Podcast rom 21 June. Hosted by Charlotte Marsh and Anton Toloui, it will feature exclusive news and player interviews in addition to a strong programme line up around the tournament.

Group A: England, Austria, Norway, Northern Ireland

Group B: Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland

Group C: Netherlands, Sweden, Portugal, Switzerland

Group D: France, Italy, Belgium, Iceland

Group stage

Wednesday July 6

Group A: England vs Austria - kick off 8pm, Old Trafford

Thursday July 7

Group A: Norway vs Northern Ireland - kick off 8pm, St Mary's

Friday July 8

Group B: Spain vs Finland - kick off 5pm, Stadium MK

Group B: Germany vs Denmark - kick off 8pm, London Community Stadium

Saturday July 9

Group C: Portugal vs Switzerland - kick off 5pm, Leigh Sports Village

Group C: Netherlands vs Sweden - kick off 8pm, Bramall Lane

Sunday July 10

Group D: Belgium vs Iceland - kick off 5pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium

Group D: France vs Italy - kick off 8pm, New York Stadium

Monday July 11

Group A: Austria vs Northern Ireland - kick off 5pm, St Mary's

Group A: England v Norway - kick off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium

Tuesday July 12

Group B: Denmark vs Finland - kick off 5pm, Stadium MK

Group B: Germany vs Spain - kick off 8pm, London Community Stadium

Wednesday July 13

Group C: Sweden vs Switzerland - kick off 5pm, Bramall Lane

Group C: Netherlands v Portugal - kick off 8pm, Leigh Sports Village

Thursday July 14

Group D: Italy vs Iceland - kick off 5pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium

Group D: France vs Belgium - kick off 8pm, New York Stadium

Friday July 15

Group A: Northern Ireland v England - kick off 8pm, St Mary's

Group A: Austria vs Norway - kick off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium

Saturday July 16

Group B: Finland vs Germany - kick off 8pm, Stadium MK

Group B: Denmark vs Spain - kick off 8pm, London Community Stadium

Sunday July 17

Group C: Switzerland vs Netherlands - kick off 5pm, Bramall Lane

Group C: Sweden vs Portugal - kick off 5pm, Leigh Sports Village

Monday July 18

Group D: Iceland vs France - kick off 8pm, New York Stadium

Group D: Italy vs Belgium - kick off 8pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium

Knockout phase

Quarter-finals

Wednesday July 20

Quarter-final 1: Winners Group A v Runners-up Group B - kick off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium

Thursday July 21

Quarter-final 2: Winners Group B v Runners-up Group A - kick off 8pm, London Community Stadium

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England Women vs Netherlands Women: Lionesses host Dutch in toughest pre-Euros test - Sky Sports

UEFA have fined Paris Saint-Germain 8,000 and banned former sporting director Leonardo for one match following incidents at the end of their Champions League knockout game against Real Madrid in March.

PSG lost the tie 3-2 on aggregate, despite leading 2-0 with less than 30 minutes remaining.

Leonardo left the club last week following a major review by club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi which will also see Mauricio Pochettino depart.

The punishments handed down by UEFAs Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body stem from events on March 9.

The Athletic understands Al-Khelaifi and Leonardo went to the referees room at the Santiago Bernabeu to complain about the award of Reals first goal, believing that goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had been fouled in the build-up.

PSG were initially fined 16,000 on June 2, but appealed the decision.

A UEFA statement read: The appeal lodged by Paris Saint-Germain is partially upheld. Consequently, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Bodys decision of March 2 is amended as follows.

To fine Paris Saint-Germain 8,000 for blocking of public passageways. The CEBD had decided, inter alia, to fine Paris Saint-Germain 16,000 for blocking of public passageways.

Leonardo has also been banned for one game. The former AC Milan midfielder was appointed as PSGs sporting director for the second time in July 2019. Al-Khelaifi has been cleared.

Leonardo, who also played for PSG in the 1996-97 season, had previously held the role between July 2011 and July 2013.

The Athletic understands the club is undergoing a thorough process and considering various candidates to replace Pochettino, of which Nices Christophe Galtier is one, while sources close to PSG denied links that emerged last Friday claiming that Zinedine Zidane was close to an agreement.

(Photo: Getty Images)

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UEFA fine PSG and ban former sporting director Leonardo for reaction to Real Madrid loss - The Athletic

Jovial Jake White before a match. (Photo by Gordon Arons/Gallo Images)

Bulls mentor Jake White has emphatically dismissed a stream of thought that his team peaked too early in their brilliant semi-final victory over Leinster last week ahead of Saturday's United Rugby Championship (URC) final.

Some commentators, notably former Springbok consultant and Lions coach Swys de Bruin, earlier this week pondered if the men from Loftus over-exerted themselves mentally and might perhaps fall a bit flat when they meet the Stormers at Cape Town Stadium.

But White believes if his charges' reaction after the win in Dublin is anything to go by, they will be more than up for the challenge.

"Last week when we beat Leinster, we didn't celebrate," said the franchise's director of rugby.

"It wasn't like we achieved anything. I can tell you that the guys were happy, but they weren't jumping around and celebrating like everything is done. That's a good sign for a coach."

His skipper, irrepressible flanker Marcell Coetzee, has continually reiterated over the past few weeks that the Bulls have been playing knockout rugby ever since they've had rescue themselves from a poor start to the campaign.

Furthermore, White's troops have won two of the three finals they've appeared over the past two years.

READ |Jake concerned over scrum fiasco on URC final pitch: 'Stormers could suffer most'

"We've had to jump up from 15th on the log. I remember people sharing screenshots of us being second last on the table. We've had to play knockout rugby for most of this campaign," he said.

"[World Cup-winning Springbok coach] Kitch Christie always used to say that you have to play your best rugby in a final and that's the reality.

"We got nothing from winning in Dublin. You maybe get 250 WhatsApp messages from your mates congratulating you, but it's not winning.

"Our final is on Saturday. I'm not concerned. The Stormers won their semi-final with a try and conversion with the last play against Ulster. Maybe their final was last week as well.

"A final is remembered by the team who wins it. It's like Neil Armstrong being the first man on the moon, the second guy was also there but nobody remembers him."

Meanwhile, White has had no qualms laying down the simple challenge to his players of pulling out all the stops this weekend because, as he's discovered, they've repelled everything that's been thrown at them over the past few years.

Teams:

Stormers

15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain)

Substitutes: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Ernst van Rhyn, 20 Junior Pokomela, 21 Nama Xaba, 22 Godlen Masimla, 23 Sacha Mngomezulu

Bulls

15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Cornal Hendricks, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp

Substitutes: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Robert Hunt, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Morne Steyn, 23 David Kriel

"Last week we beat Leinster with 19 internationals. We beat South Africa 'A' last year. And my message to them would be all those players started like we started. All of them were young at one point and they had to either sink or swim," he said.

"Thats the message - either we sink or swim. I have no doubt every time we have played in a knockout game, we have come through the other side as winners. Every time we have had to beat someone - we lost to the Sharks twice, and we beat them in the playoff, we lost to the Sharks in the Currie Cup and we beat them in the final.

We lost to the Stormers twice, now it's irrelevant. It's a playoff game and the lessons we learn by playing all those big teams, they all started like this. We dont have five World Cup winners. If they picked the Springbok team tomorrow, we wouldnt have one player in the 23.

"But saying that, it's a great way to be, because all the teams started like that. Leinster started like that, the Crusaders started like that. The Springboks started like that. When I started coaching the Springboks in 2004, we had 175 caps of which Breyton (Paulse) had 80 and Os (du Randt) had 50. That team went on to win Tri Nations, World Cup and the British & Irish Lions.

"My message is, 'listen boys, let's go out there and do it'. Every time Ive challenged you, youve won."

Kick-off is at 19:30.

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Jake rubbishes talk that Bulls peaked too early in Dublin: 'Lots of WhatsApps isn't winning' - News24