The Bulls can open a handy lead at the top of the table

In what is the first of 4 games away from South Africa, I believe 2 bonus point wins and a close loss or 3 wins with no bonus points will be enough to return to South Africa and still be able to seal top position. Anything less leaves us in a precarious position in trying to ensure home ground advantage come play-off time.

In that regard this match against the Force is a must win match. That always makes me more nervous, because the opposition have nothing to lose.

However this Bulls side is a complete outfit, and even an unbeaten tour is a strong possibility. Let’s hope we start off on the right note and win, and win well.

UNBEATEN STREAK

The Bulls have a winning streak of 11 games on the trot. While it may come to an end on this tour, I can’t see it happening in Perth. The Bulls if they could emulate the Crusaders record of an unbeaten season could then set a new winning streak record…but let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet.

TEAM SELECTION

The return of Jaco Pretorius and the clearance of Fourie du Preez make this this strongest Bulls lineup of the season and I am sure they will be keen to get the tour off to a flying start with this game.

The first choice back row now has some time together again under their belt and if conditions are good, there is no reason why the Bulls can’t score 50 again, this time away from home.

MILESTONES

Victor Matfield continues to create records.
Matfield will equal Corne Krige’s record of captaining a Super rugby side for the whopping 52nd time!

Last week Matfield said “We don’t play for caps, we play to win trophies.” Without the distraction and applause of Loftus, I am sure the Bulls won’t be distracted from the task at hand, even though it is a wonderful record to achieve.

MY PREDICTION

The Force lack the depth and forward strength to match the Bulls. Perth is a happy hunting ground for South African sides, especially in recent times, so there are not the same mind games that occupy other sides and venues.

Some will note the 3 previous games between these sides have had a winning margin of only 3 or less, but we are talking about different quality of Force sides in the past. On paper we are at least 20 points better.

The Force have only scored 6 tries compared to the Bulls 25. That should be the difference. If the Bulls play to their strengths and use their forward pack they’ll be too strong for the Force. The Force may be able to compete around the breakdown, but may find it difficult to contain the Bulls loose forward runners.

Out wider, Jaco Pretorius is the key man for me, and he should have space to move and put this outside backs away. He needs to step up and really start to dominate with the platform he can work with. That may just ease the pressure on Wynand Olivier too.

The Force lack the options and danger in the backline to threaten consistently. Take out O’Connor and the Force backs should be fairly ineffective.

I’m predicting a win to the Bulls by at least 18.

Go Bulle Go!

Vodacom Bulls:

1. Gurtho Steenkamp
2. Gary Botha
3. Werner Kruger
4. Danie Rossouw
5. Victor Matfield (c)
6. Deon Stegmann
7. Dewald Potgieter
8. Pierre Spies
9. Fourie du Preez
10. Morne Steyn
11. Francois Hougaard
12. Wynand Olivier
13. Jaco Pretorius
14. Gerhard van den Heever
15. Zane Kirchner

16. Bandise Maku
17. Bees Roux
18. Flip van der Merwe
19. Derick Kuun
20. Jacques-Louis Potgieter
21. Jaco van der Westhuyzen
22. Pedrie Wannenburg

Force:

1. Nic Henderson
2. Ben Whittaker
3. Tim Fairbrother
4. Tom Hockings
5. Nathan Sharpe (c)
6. Ben McCalman
7. Matt Hodgson
8. Richard Stanford
9. Brett Sheehan
10. David Hill
11. Mitch Inman
12. James O’Connor
13. Ryan Cross
14. Scott Staniforth
15. Mark Bartholomeusz

16. Pek Cowan
17. Kieran Longbottom
18. Luke Jones
19. Ted Postal
20. Chris O’Young
21. Sam Harris
22. Haig Sare

Previous Super 14 results:

2006: Bulls 30, Force 21 (Perth)
2007: Bulls 27, Force 30 (Pretoria)
2008:Bulls 15, Force 14 (Perth)
2009: Bulls 32, Force 29 (Pretoria)