A chance to rest our top guys and test our depth!
By wrapping up the top spot on the log, the Bulls have nothing more to gain from this fixture, and this allows he side a chance to test the depth of the players at the Bulls union. Whilst some sides and officials have been very critical of this practice, that is the spoils a victorious side like the Bulls can enjoy.
Other coaches and officials have warned that the Bulls could lose momentum, but I don’t think that will worry the Bulls. What it does allow is for the top guys to start preparing for the semi-finals already, whilst the remaining sides still in contention have to think of a tough final league game. From a mental and physical perspective, the Bulls will be thoroughly prepared for their semi-final!
MILESTONES
The Bulls are looking to extend their winning streak over the Stormers to 6 games having won on their last 5 encounters!
Making their first starts for the Bulls are Tiger Mangweni at fullback (played super rugby for the Stormers and Cheetahs previously), De Wet Barry at inside centre (played super rugby for the Stormers previously), Deon Helberg on the wing (a Springbok sevens representative), Gerrit-Jan van velze at flank (captained Bulls Vodacom cup side to the title last week and former nominee for world junior player of the year)
On the bench Okkie Kruger, Ruan Snyman, Francois Brummer and Stefan Watermeyer will all make their Bulls’ debuts if they take the field.
Backing up from their victorious Vodacom Cup final are Tiger Mangweni, Deon Helberg, Gerrit-Jan van Velze, Jaco Engels, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Deon Greyling, Fudge Mabeta, Okkie Kruger, Ruan Snyman, Francois Brummer and Stefan Watermeyer
BELIEF
Frans Ludeke the Bulls coach says that his side’s belief has increased even further after the victory over the Crusaders. If the most emphatic victory in a Super 14 final didn’t do it, than the character to win games this year when they’ve been trailing and in difficult circumstances can only make the Bulls even harder to beat, and that’s a characteristic of championship sides.
“It wasn’t the prettiest game and we certainly had our share of good fortune, but sometimes you get games like that and you just have to guts it out. The best sides all share that trait and I was pleased that we were able to come through the toughest test of the season the way we did” Ludeke told keo.co.za.
“It humbled me to see the boys show that type of character. The fact that they were able to put errors behind them and just concentrate on the task at hand says everything about the calibre of this squad, particularly the senior players who always gave off positive energy. The youngsters fed off that energy and they never gave up because the leaders in the squad refused to” continued Ludeke.
“Afterwards you could see in their eyes that they had gone to another level of belief. That happens when you pass tests as difficult as that one was. The Crusaders had some of the world’s best players in their line up and never ever give up. We’re keeping our feet on the ground, but I’d be lying if I told you there isn’t massive self belief within the squad. We believe we can beat anyone when we play to potential” said Ludeke.
Ludeke continued “We got some luck with the last try in the sense that Richie McCaw’s charge down of Morne Steyn’s drop goal could have rolled anywhere, but it broke back to us. The composure we showed in launching that last counter-attack tells me we’re growing into the team we see ourselves being, and Francois’s finish was of the highest quality.”
TEAM SELECTION
This has been a bone of contention with the Kiwis and Australians crying about the Bulls decision to rest many of their stars. They can go fish! This is no Bulls ‘B’ side, it is an alternate side, and they deserve their chance.
I’m sure they’ll do the Bulls proud and be better for the experience in a game that has lost most of it’s meaning for the Bulls. All that really matters is the semi and final.
PREDICTION
Well anything could happen. I think it’ll be tight initially as the sides feel each other out, but in the end the Stormers should be able to beat a side lacking experience at the top level. The pace of the game may take it’s toll on the inexperienced Bulls players. I’d love for the Bulls to win but won’t be unhappy to see the Stormers gain a home semi-final and play the Bulls again in a final at Orlando stadium, Soweto. Stormers to win by 15.
Go Bulle Go!
Vodacom Bulls:
1. Jaco Engels
2. Bandise Maku
3. Bees Roux
4. Flip van der Merwe
5. Bakkies Botha (c)
6. Derick Kuun
7. Gerrit-Jan van Velze
8. Pedrie Wannenburg
9. Heini Adams
10. Jacques-Louis Potgieter
11. Deon Helberg
12. De Wet Barry
13. Stephan Dippenaar
14. Jaco van der Westhuyzen
15. Tiger Mangweni
16. Chiliboy Ralepelle
17. Dean Greyling
18. Fudge Mabeta
19. Okkie Kruger
20. Ruan Snyman
21. Francois Brummer
22. Stefan Watermeyer
Stormers:
1. Wicus Blaauw
2. Tiaan Liebenberg
3. Brok Harris
4. Adriaan Fondse
5. Andries Bekker
6. Schalk Burger (c)
7. Francois Louw
8. Duane Vermeulen
9. Dewaldt Duvenhage
10. Peter Grant
11. Bryan Habana
12. Juan de Jongh
13. Jaque Fourie
14. Gio Aplon
15. Joe Pietersen
16. Deon Fourie
17. Eusebio Guinazu
18. Anton van Zyl
19. Pieter Louw
20. Ricky Januarie
21. Willem de Waal
22. Tim Whitehead
Previous Super 14 results:
2006: Bulls 43, Stormers 10 (Cape Town)
2007: Bulls 49, Stormers 12 (Pretoria)
2008: Bulls 16, Stormers 9 (Cape Town)
2009: Bulls 14, Stormers 10 (Pretoria)
