Leading Vodacom Bulls try scorer, Gerhard van den Heever, is back in the side that will take on the Stormers in the final of the Super 14 competition in Soweto on Saturday.
Van den Heever served a two week suspension due to a dangerous tackle and missed the semi-final clash against the Crusaders at the same venue last week and is the only change in the team from that game.
He replaces Jaco van der Westhuyzen, who drops to the bench in place of Stephan Dippenaar, still leaving the Bulls with 13 players in the starting line-up who have won the Super 14 title before.
Van den Heever and fellow winger, Francois Hougaard, are yet to lift the coveted trophy, with Gary Botha part of the 2007 winning side.
Victor Matfield, who will lead the Bulls for a record 60th time, believes the experience should be an advantage. “It is good to know that the guys have been there before, but we still need to convert that into pressure and make sure that we create and use opportunities,” Matfield said.
Coach Frans Ludeke also expressed his satisfaction at being able to pick his strongest line-up, but for the suspended Bakkies Botha, for this clash.
“The guys have worked very hard to get this far. We have created the opportunity to be part of something special, now we need to embrace it.”
The team for the final (with caps) is:
Zane Kirchner (39*), Gerhard van den Heever (16), Jaco Pretorius (26*), Wynand Olivier (70**), Francois Hougaard (15), Morné Steyn (72**), Fourie du Preez (98**), Pierre Spies (55), Dewald Potgieter (30*), Deon Stegmann (38*), Victor Matfield (108**), Danie Rossouw (101**), Werner Kruger (41*), Gary Botha (72*), Gurthrö Steenkamp (65**). Replacements: Bandise Maku (20), Bees Roux (30), Flip van der Merwe (18), Derick Kuün (55**), Jacques-Louis Potgieter (31), Jaco van der Westhuyzen (53*), Pedrie Wannenburg (112**).
*Super 14 title
Morné Steyn is the current Super 14 points records holder with 243 points in a season. He also holds the South African Super 14 points record (737).
Notes:
Victor Matfield is the leading South African captain in Super 14 rugby. He will captain the Bulls for the 60th time. Pedrie Wannenburg will play in his 112 Super Rugby match, a Bulls record.
Gaffel Janne
S14 CHAMPIONS 2010 !!!!! 🙂
@ Blouste:
Are you familiar with the term ‘Counting your chickens before they are hatched’? 🙂
I like your confidence though…What is your Superbru margin going to be?
This weekend my bloed is blou,go Bulle..
Great experience.
Champion side!!!!!
Good luck Bulls.
@ Blue Bird:
Yes I am…
But I’m positive…
Bulls by 12 !!!
Hi Puma…
Enjoying the holiday ?
@ Blue Bird:
Last week my prediction was Bulls by 15 !!!
@ Blouste:
Blouste is is just fantastic here. Waiting for my better half then we off to dinner. So came in here quick to catch up on some of the rugby.
You must be excited for the game on Saturday? You going?
is = it
@ Blouste: I have Bulls by 5. A win is a win even by one point.
@ Puma:
Eish Puma, would love to but cant make it this weekend…
Will watch it on the telly though…
You must enjoy, before you know it will be over 🙁
@ Blouste:
I am having a blast here. Weather awesome food and wine brilliant 😀
Pity you can not make the rugby. This is a magnificent moment for the Bulls. Really hope they will. Was going to be neuatral but decided far too many Bulls supporters here were right behind my Sharks this year even when we played lousy they were giving us Sharkies support here. So for this game will be a Bull. Then only for this game then I am a Sharkie again 😆
Good Luck to your Bulls Blouste. They should do it. Going to be a monster battle though. DEFENCE will be key for Bulls. They have the altitude and must use it well.
Okay Blouste my better half is here ready for dinner.
Catch up maybe again sometime. Cheers mate.
@ Puma:
typo there. Neutral
Okay out of here now. Cheers all.
Cheers Puma
@ Blouste:
Chatting to a Stormers supporter last night who thinks Bulls are stronger, I thought Bulls 10 – 15. I notice on the voldy poll most have the Stormers to win by 7 plus.
You can see it is a Stormers stronghold still!!
@ Puma:
Puma really sorry to have missed you, you break sounds amazing, glad you are having such a good time over there.
We are missing your comments here…..come back soon, tanned and probably about 4kgs heavier!! 🙂
This is comfortably the very best team the Bulls can field. If the Stormers defeeat this team at altitude, then they deserve the S14 title!
Bulls by at least 7.
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