Double boost for Bulls

The Blue Bulls were given a double Bok boost on Tuesday with the news that both Bryan Habana and Danie Rossouw have been passed fit to face the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

The Blue Bulls were given a double Bok boost on Tuesday with the news that both Bryan Habana and Danie Rossouw have been passed fit to face the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

The news means that coach Frans Ludeke's quad is close to full strength with the exception of prop Gurthrö Steenkamp and lock Bakkies Botha.

Steenkamp underwent surgery on Monday after fracturing his left hand against the Cavaliers and Botha sustained a serious knee injury during the Tri-Nations series.

Blue Bulls fans have also been reassured by kicking coach Vlok Cilliers that there is no concern in the camp about the place-kicking form of fly-half Morné Steyn.

Steyn has had two disappointing games from the kicking-tee and while Cilliers conceded that Steyn's performances have been below par of late, he said this lapse was purely temporary.

“There is nothing wrong with Steyn's technique or self-confidence,” Cilliers told SuperSport.

“He has been kicking consistently well during training. Yes, he did struggle against the Sharks, but that is the one field on which most other place-kickers also find it difficult to take accurate aim. It is especially difficult to judge the wind correctly.

“Against the Kavaliers he hit the upright once, and that could just as easily have been over. What I don't doubt is that he will be a trump card for us again against the Cheetahs on Saturday.

“It's actually as if he always puts his very best foot forward against them. Just think back to earlier in the season when he succeeded with eight kicks from nine in the Super 14 match between the Cheetahs and ourselves. And that doesn't include the drop goal he slotted so tidily.”

The match in the 'City of Roses' is a crunch encounter, especially from the home side, who are forth on the Currie Cup table and in danger of falling out of the top four as the race for semi-final berths hots up.