Western Province: Joe Pietersen, Gio Aplon, Juan de Jongh, Paul Bosch, Frikkie Welsh, Peter Grant, Dewaldt Duvenage, Luke Watson (captain), Duane Vermeulen, Francois Louw, Andries Bekker, Anton van Zyl, Brok Harris, Tiaan Liebenberg, Wicus Blaauw
Reserves: Deon Fourie, JC Kritzinger, De Kock Steenkamp, Schalk Burger, Ricky Januarie, Matt To’omua, Sireli Naqelevuki

Blue Bulls: Zane Kirchner, Francois Hougaard, Jaco Pretorius, Wynand Olivier, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Dewald Potgieter, Deon Stegmann, Victor Matfield (captain), Bakkies Botha, Werner Kruger, Derick Kuun, Gurthro Steenkamp
Reserves: Bandise Maku, Rossouw de Klerk, Danie Rossouw, Pedrie Wannenburg, Heini Adams, Burton Francis, Gerhard van den Heever

Plenty of tension in this semi-final to see who will face the Cheetahs next week. At the toss Victor Matfield almost forgot to shake Luke Watson’s hand. Or was it on purpose?

1st Min – Bakkies Botha is sent to the sin-bin for an elbow to the face at a ruck. It was more at the shoulder. Not sure it warranted a yellow card!

2nd Min – Bulls penalised for the second time.

5th Min – Bulls get a penalty for a high shot from Andries Bekker. When you’re that tall it’s hard to tackle any lower!

Morne Steyn has a kick of 38m and kicks it straight down the middle! Blue Bulls ahead 3-0!

7th Min – Great run by Wynand Olivier. The Province midfield is being targeted. Morne Steyn actually misses with the drop goal! But he has a penalty from in front.

No problem for Steyn. Blue Bulls ahead 6-0 with only 14 men.

10th Min – Penalty to Province for obstructing the kicker. A bit harsh. Province with a chance now.

12th Min- Bakkies Botha re-enters the game. Expect 40 strong minutes from the enforcer!

13th Min – Wicus Blaauw penalised at the scrum for Province. Could be very important in setting the tone of the scrums for the match.

14th Min – Morne Steyn misses  with another drop goal as he knew they had a penalty advantage. Steyn will have a penalty chance however.

Steyn makes no mistake and the Blue Bulls are ahead 9-0. Newlands is often a tough ground to kick at with the difficult wind to cope with and many visiting players have struggled here. It just shows how good Morne Steyn is. He hasn’t looked like missing.

18th Min – Another penalty for the Blue Bulls straight in front. This time for offside at the ruck. That was the result of good Bulls tackling and pressure at the ruck. Steyn makes it 12-0 to the Bulls.

20th Min – Great running by Province. They need to open the game up in my view. A bit loose with their passing, but they need to use their talented runners.

29th Min – Penalty to Western Province. Good pressure at the lineout and the Blue Bulls got it wrong. Stegmann penalised at the breakdown. Pietersen nails the kicks. Blue Bulls 12 Western Province 3.

33rd Min – Bakkies Botha just short, but the Bulls get a 5m scrum. Some great rugby by the Bulls and Dewald Potgieter tackled 2m from the line on the other side of the field. So close. Joe Pietersen and Gio Aplon, 2 small guys have made some vital and courageous tackles.

39th Min – Sustained Province pressure, but resolute defence from the Bulls. Province get the penalty and will have a chance from straight in front. Pietersen narrows the gap and it’s now 12-6.

Halftime Western Province 6 Blue Bulls 12

It’s been a fantastic atmosphere and intensity so far and only desperate defence from both sides and ensured no tries have been scored.

The Bulls have the class and firepower but will need to ensure they make their chances count. Western Province meanwhile will have to chance their arm and rely on someone to produce something special.

47th Min – Bulls applying all the pressure but they can’t crack the Province defence.

Schalk Burger on for Anton van Zyl, and Vermeulen will move into the second row. Interesting move.

50th Min – Habana penalised for a deliberate knock-down. Pietersen kicks it to make it Bulls ahead by 12-9. Geez this is getting close.

55th Min – Bulls starting to play to their strengths. Using the maul, and edging forward. Morne Steyn has a penalty attempt from in front. His kick makes it Blue Bulls 15 Western Province 9

58th Min – Gio Aplon. Where did he come from? He shows great gas to follow up the kick and that is a try! He got past Wynand Olivier expertly to score a try when 3 Bulls looked to have the kick covered.

Pietersen kicks the conversion to put Western Province in the lead 16-15.

C’mon Bulls!

64th Min – Penalty! Yes. Western Province penalised at the scrum and up steps Morne Steyn again.Straight over.

Bulls ahead 18-16.

66th Min – Unbelievable tackle by Schalk Burger on Fourie du Preez, just when the Bulls had momentum. Damn.

The Blue Bulls penalised at the scrum and now Western Province have great field position.

Gerard van den Heever on for Bryan Habana.

68th Min – Now the Blue Bulls are penalised for being offiside. Western Province kick the penalty and move into a 19-18 point lead. This is way too close for my liking!

Danie Rousouw on for Bakkies Botha.

Morne Steyn misses a drop goal. C’mon we just need one to go over!

77th Min – High tackle from Sireli Naqelevuki. Up steps Morne Steyn. Yes! Morne Steyn nails it. What a tough kick.

Blue Bulls 21-19 ahead. 2 to go.

Field position now! And no penalties!

Full time Blue Bulls 21 Western Province 19

That was close! What a great atmosphere and finish to the game. In the end experience and the boot of Morne Steyn won the game for the Blue Bulls.

7 penalties, difficult kicks, under pressure. The man is ice cool and just keeps producing miraculous performances. What a champion.

We now have a final at Loftus between the Blue Bulls and the Free State Cheetahs.