Western Province must be considered favourites for Saturday’s Currie Cup match against the Blue Bulls at Newlands.
They are playing at home, are unbeaten and playing very good rugby. Those are the facts no-one can ignore, says Blue Bulls coach Frans Ludeke.
“They made a very good transition from the Super 14 to the Currie Cup, probably better than any other team,” Ludeke said on Tuesday as the Bulls started preparations for the big game.
“I think the fact that they have been able to virtually keep their tight five intact has contributed to that. The Bulls had to cope without four locks and possibly did not adapt as quickly.”
Ludeke makes it clear that no Blue Bulls team has ever gone to Newlands without the belief that it can win and warns WP that his troops will be pitching with the same attitude.
“We are focusing on our own game and have set goals for the game. The guys realise it will be tough, but challenges have always brought the best out of the Blue Bulls,” said Ludeke.
This kind of game is usually won up front and forwards coach Johan van Graan said that chances are slim that last year’s scrum fiasco, when WP scored a pushover try in the corresponding fixture, will be repeated.
“I think the scrumming laws are being applied well by referees across the board. Loosehead props, for example, are not being allowed to place their left hands on the ground and that goes a long way in ensuring a fair scrum contest,” said Van Graan.
This is a reference to WP loosehead prop Wicus Blaauw, who got away with this tactic last year and placed the Bulls scrum under a lot of pressure.
“We have Marius Jonker as referee on Saturday and that is good news. He is one of the world’s best and has handled many previous matches between ourselves and WP. He won’t be intimidated by the atmosphere,” said Van Graan.
Ludeke was still uncertain about which players he will be getting back from the Bok squad, but it’s almost certain that Zane Kirchner and Dewald Potgieter will be in the Bulls side that will play against WP.
Kirchner will be picked at fullback, with Jaco van der Westhuyzen set to be considered as a substitute.
Potgieter played against the Leopards, so is expected to make up the loose-trio with Derick Kuün and Gerrit-Jan van Velze.
Dean Greyling may play at loosehead prop. He played against the Pumas and Sharks before a sore neck forced him out of the team. He could replace Jaco Engels.
With Van der Westhuyzen capable of playing every backline position except scrumhalf, Ludeke can consider a bench split of five forwards and two backs.
Courtesy of sport24
Wp are playing good rugby.
Their defense have been formiddable.
The Bulls will realy have to be at the top of their game to stand any chance…
WP by 10-20 points. We saw last year and this year that the bulls struggle a bit without their boks. This is a sign of the times to come once the senior bull bok players retire.
@ Snoek:
I tend to agree with you there.
The Bulls really went to sleep against the Leopards in the 2nd half. If they do that against the Streeptruie they’ll get hammered methinks.
@ Scrumdown:
Looks like they are hibernating in PTA over the winter months.
I can see the Bulls dropping to 5th place this weekend
Wishful thinking you guys…
The Bulls are slowly busy building their new generation empire, giving youngsters valueble experience …
F.Hougaard, G.v.d.Heever, v.Veltze, CJ.Stander, F.v.d.Merwe, J.Kruger, S.Dippenaar, Watermeyer etc. are all names that springs to mind.
Add to that names of youngsters that have been around like D.Potgieter, Stegmann and the future picture does not at all look as bleak as you would like…
@ Snoek:
We have formidable team when all players are available. We can see new boys knocking hard on the door, the big secret will be to get some continuity going. I watched the u/21 game Friday and a few great plays was made, a great no 9, 15 and flanks, also no 10 was good.
Watermeyer in the senior side got great reviews, although GBS wont agree.
What went wrong in the Bulls vs Leopard game one can only speculate. They stopped playing in the last 30 minutes. Maybe they rested for this weekends game. 😆
Province looks invincible right now. I wont pick my team this week on Superbru, not down there in the Cape. But if we put up a good fight and a few of the new boys show they are men i will be happy.
@ Blouste:
So n bek moet jam kry!
Ja, I must agree with Blouste and Super here. WP have got to be favourites at Newlands with the Bulls playing their B-team and all… ::)
How many 1st choice players from the S14 will both teams be missing due to Springbik duty?
Hmmmm…
Die Bulle gaan die naweek solank die sielkundige oorlog vir die semi’s begin voer deur vir die weepee manne vals hoop te gee… LOL
Blouste,
#10 Nee, jy kan my oopbek soen as ek weet! Hoekom, is dit belangrik?
@ fender:
Sjoe !!! Hoe bly is ek NOU jy weet nie 😉
Net gewonder, sal seker maar sien as die spanne aangekondig word.
Bulls –
Zane Kirchner, Gerhard van den Heever, Jaco Pretorius, Stefan Watermeyer, John Mametsa, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Ruan Snyman, Gerrit-Jan van Velze, Dewald Potgieter, Derick Kuün, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Juandré Kruger, Werner Kruger, Gary Botha (c) Dean Greyling.
Subs:
Bandise Maku, Bees Roux, Mthunzi Mabeta, CJ Stander, Dustin Jinka, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Jaco Engels.
kirchner vs Jantjies! their styles are so similar, they could swop jerseys and nobody would know the difference!
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