Zeena Isaacs
8 October 2008
Johannesburg — THE Cheetahs should brace themselves for a vicious Blue Bulls backlash in their Currie Cup semifinal on Saturday after Bulls coach Frans Ludeke yesterday named a formidable side for the game at Loftus Versfeld.
Ludeke named nine Springboks in his match 22 - seven of whom played in the Rugby World Cup last year - in an attempt to make up for their semifinal slump last season and become the force that earned them five consecutive final appearances from 2002.
Springbok locks Victor Matfield and Danie Rossouw, scrumhalf Fourie du Preez, wing Bryan Habana and No8 Pierre Spies all return after getting a break last week. Their presence, especially with a World Cup, Super 14 and a few Currie Cup titles to their names, should give the Bulls some peace of mind going into the game.
In contrast, the Cheetahs have only two Tri-Nations Springboks in their squad - flank Juan Smith and wing Jongi Nokwe - giving the Bulls a serious mental edge.
Ludeke's inclusion of Boks Gurthrö Steenkamp (prop) and Chiliboy Ralepelle (hooker), in particular, who have been rotated with other players throughout the season, shows he is placing a high price on experience.
Cool-headed flyhalf Morné Steyn also returns to the starting 15 and will play a key role with halfback partner Du Preez in a game that should produce the hard, grinding 10-man rugby the Bulls have mastered.
"The timing in terms of resting the guys who have played a lot of Super 14 and Test rugby this year was perfect," said Ludeke. "The guys are fresh and the spirit in the camp is good. It is also good to have so many wise men in a game where making the right decisions and saying the right things (to lift the team) will be vital."
With the highly rated lock pairing of Matfield and Rossouw a force in the line-outs, a strong scrummaging front row of Steenkamp, Derick Kuun and Rayno Gerber, and a classy loose trio featuring Spies and flanks Deon Stegmann and Van Heerden, the Cheetahs pack will have to be in top form to overpower this Bulls machine.
Blue Bulls team: Zane Kirchner; John Mametsa, Marius Delport, Wynand Olivier, Bryan Habana; Morné Steyn, Fourie du Preez; Pierre Spies, Wikus van Heerden, Deon Stegmann, Victor Matfield (captain), Danie Rossouw, Rayno Gerber, Derick Kuün , Gurthrö Steenkamp. Reserves: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Werner Kruger, Juandré Kruger, Dewald Potgieter, Heini Adams, Burton Francis, Tiger Mangweni.
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