Preview: Sharks v Blue Bulls
The Blue Bulls never shy away from a challenge and it will be no different in their Currie Cup semi-final against the Sharks.
The Blue Bulls have never been a team to shy away from a challenge and it will be no different when they travel to Durban to face the Sharks in Saturday's Currie Cup semi-final.
The Pretoria-based side finished fourth in the standings and the Sharks, who finished top, will fancy themselves against a Bulls team who could be vulnerable away from their beloved Loftus fortress.
However, the Blue Bulls returning array of Springbok stars showed what impact they can have against Griquas last weekend and they will be desperate to win some silverware domestically to make up for a poor Tri-Nations campaign.
Bulls coach Frans Ludeke stressed the importance of his senior players leading by example and said solid set pieces and converting their chances into points would be vital.
“We are fortunate to have several experienced guys and it is important that they perform because there will be no mercy,” said Ludeke.
“We have to master the basics, create chances and use them. Being competitive at the gain line will also be vital.”
Sharks boss John Plumtree will be hoping the same from his side and avoiding a repeat of last year when they coastal team cruised to the semi-finals only to be ousted by the Cheetahs.
“We know what we're up against, they're a champion side, but that adds to our opportunity,” said Plumtree.
“The Bulls will be under a bit of pressure to perform, they'll want to kick-on because they're a fancy team that everyone is talking about and my guys are really looking forward to the chance at having a crack at them.”
The Blue Bulls will probably go into Saturday's semi-final against as favourites, not because they might be seen as the better team, but because of their record in play-offs.
Frans Ludeke's side have enjoyed total dominance over their coastal counterparts, winning all three meetings between the two sides in the semi-final stages of South Africa's long-serving domestic tournament.
But the Sharks will take heart from the fact that they have not lost to the defending champions in their last five outings at the 'Shark Tank', including their 14-9 victory in the 2008 Currie Cup final.
Ones to watch:
For the Sharks: If there was any time for wing Lwazi Mvovo to get the Bok selectors' attention, it's now. The Sharks speedster has not missed a beat this season, playing in every game – scoring 12 tries in his first 13 matches. In full flight, Mvovo is extremely hard to bring down and when presented with half a gap is stocked with sufficient gas to get away from defenders.
For Blue Bulls: With first-choice hooker Gary Botha ruled out with injury, Chiliboy Ralepelle gets a rare start in the blue jersey. He has his fair share of critics, however a solid performance in a Currie Cup semi-final will go a long way in proving his credentials – not only in a Blue Bulls jersey, but a green and gold one too.
Head to head: Steven Sykes and Alistair Hargreaves v Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha. The pressure will be on the Sharks locks to combat the world-class Springbok duo (boasting 169 Test caps between them). Sykes and Hargreaves, however, have an opportunity of proving their mettle against the best in the business but anything less than a 100 per cent effort will be punished.
Prediction: While history favours the Blue Bulls, the Sharks will back themselves based on their form throughout the season and the luxury of home-ground advantage. Sharks to win by three points.
The teams:
Sharks: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Stefan Terblanche (c), 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Alistair Hargreaves, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Eugene van Staden, 18 Anton Bresler, 19 Jacques Botes, 20 Rory Kockott, 21 Andre Pretorius, 22 Odwa Ndungane.
Blue Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Danie Rossouw, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Derick Kuun, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Dean Greyling.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Rossouw de Klerk, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Pierre Spies, 20 Ruan Snyman, 21 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 22 Deon Stegmann.
Date: Saturday, October 16
Venue: Absa Stadium, Durban
Kick-off: 14:30 (13:30 BST)
Referee: Marius Jonker
Assistant referees: Jonathan Kaplan, Phillip Bosch
Television match official: Johann Meuwesen