Super 14 Final: Head to head

Saturday's all-SA Super 14 Final promises to deliver a cracking spectacle between two of the form sides throughout the competition – but how do they fare head to head?

Saturday's all-South African Super 14 Final promises to deliver a cracking spectacle between two of the form sides throughout the competition – but how do they fare head to head?

There will be some wonderful duels: the two centre combinations of Jaque Fourie and Juan de Jongh, both brilliant on attack against two great defenders like Jaco Pretorius and Wynand Olivier; young upstart Gerhard van den Heever against Bryan Habana; Andries Bekker and Victor Matfield in the line-outs; the two sets of loose forwards with their different balance in strengths; and of course the tactical kicking of Morne Steyn and Peter Grant.

Planet Rugby takes a look at the key battles facing the Bulls and Stormers from full-back to loosehead prop…

Full-back: Zane Kirchner v Joe Pietersen. The execution of the Bulls' tried and tested game plan is crucial to the success of their side and the outcome of this match. They will simply have to get those up-and-unders to come down just outside the Stormers 22 – and have the chasers there for first-time tackling. Expect Kirchner to do the chasing and the tackling, while Stormers fans will be hoping Pietersen does plenty of catching.

Wings: Gerhard van den Heever v Bryan Habana. This is a unique battle if there ever was one: the former Bulls' messiah versus the new golden boy of Loftus… or in this case, Orlando Stadium. Fresh from a two-week suspension, the Bulls' young gun returns to mark the man who single-handedly won the hosts' their first title in 2007. Van den Heever has nine tries to his name so far this season – Habana has six – and perhaps could've been more had he not watched the last two games from the stands. Rumour has it that Van den Heever is quicker than Habana but has never played in a final before, while the Bok speedster has won two of them. You do the math.

Outside centre: Jaco Pretorius v Jaque Fourie. The Bulls' former Sevens maestro faces a tough task against arguably the best outside centre in world rugby at the moment. Since his move from the Lions, Fourie has roared the Stormers' back-line to life and doesn't look like being muffled anytime soon. He has pace, quick feet, good hands and an appreciation of running lines. Pretorius has had to deal with injuries this year, but has proven to be the better option in the number thirteen jersey over Stephan Dippenaar. Whether it will be lucky 13 remains to be seen…

Inside centre: Wynand Olivier v Juan de Jongh. Another mouth-watering contest between two defence-driven centres. If it moves, chances are Olivier and De Jongh will stop it. Olivier has been the most consistent player for the Bulls this year, in attack and defence. He was a tackling machine last week against the Crusaders, but – like De Jongh – offers plenty with ball in hand too. Olivier is the master of the perfect angle, hitting the line like clockwork and often at the opposition's weakest point. De Jongh will have his hands full, but if he puts in a repeat performance shown at Newlands a week ago, it's Olivier that should be kept on his toes.

Wing: Francois Hougaard v Gio Aplon. Two up-and-coming star players who have experienced breakthrough seasons (again), go head to head along the touchline. Hougaard – one of the most promising scrum-halves in South Africa last year – has made more of a name for himself on the wing. Deceptively strong on his feet and with pace to burn, the one-time Bok has proven to be a worthy match-winner for the Bulls this season. Aplon too has made a positional shift – from full-back to right wing – but has proven to offer 110 per cent no matter where he plays. He may not have the size, but everything he does appears effortless.

Fly-half: Morne Steyn v Peter Grant. Many have pinned the outcome of the Final on these two quality fly-halves. While Grant will be tasked with outkicking Steyn to ensure the visitors obtain the territorial ascendancy, he'll also need to display the same attacking synergy that unleashed a potent Stormers back-line all season. Grant was key to the Stormers resurgence this year – he is a constant threat to defences, his distribution is pinpoint and has a sound defensive game. Steyn's golden boot has proven the difference between winning and losing many a times this season, and will do so again come kick-off on Saturday. Expect drop-goals, lots of them!

Scrum-half: Fourie du Preez v Dewaldt Duwenage. We all know what Du Preez is capable of, he reminded us last week against the Crusaders in case you missed it. His opposite number on the other hand is relatively new to the scene but has established himself as one of the premier half-backs in the competition. His quick and crisp service at the breakdown has been largely responsible for the Cape franchise's attacking continuity, while his willingness to attack from the base ala Du Preez means the Bulls will need to watch him closely.

Number Eight: Pierre Spies v Duane Vermeulen. Both players have played a key role in their respective side's run into the Final and are the ideal number eights, possessing size, strength and speed. Spies brings explosiveness and relentless energy to the mix for the Bulls, while Vermeulen does the ugly, gritty stuff that seldom gets noticed but deserves just as much praise. Where Vermeulen edges Spies, however, is in defence – which could prove very advantageous to the Stormers indeed.

Loose forwards: Dewald Potgieter and Deon Stegmann v Francois Louw and Schalk Burger. The battle for ascendancy at the collisions and breakdown will be a supremely entertaining contest starring the outstanding loose forwards of the Super 14. Potgieter and Louw may be set for their first Test starts next weekend against Wales, but there will be no love lost when these two destructive flankers lock horns in Soweto. Potgieter's experience of playing in a Super Rugby final will be of some benefit, but Louw has the ability to stifle the Bulls' momentum by fronting physically in the collisions just as he has done all season. Stegmann is a classic fetcher who is thriving under the new laws and his anticipation together with his toughness will again be a huge asset to the Bulls. His discipline, however, has proven to be quite a liabilty for the Bulls. This needs to be eradicated quickly or the hosts will face the wrath of Grant's boot. As for Burger, he will continue to be a menace at the breakdown and a primary ball-carrier for the Stormers. He has led superbly from the front this season and through his actions, he is a motivator for the side.

Locks: Victor Matfield and Danie Rossouw v Andries Bekker and Adriaan Fondse. A battle royale is expected in the line-outs where Matfield – the undisputed king of the setpiece – will come face to face with possibly the biggest challenge of his career against the tallest man in the Super 14. Stormers kingpin Andries Bekker will need a little