A rematch of the Currie Cup final starts the Super 14 season in South Africa.
Whilst games between these sides are always tough and often close affairs, the Cheetahs have yet to beat the Bulls in Super 14 rugby.
The Bulls are the more experienced, battle hardened side. Gary Botha has the distinction of playing his 50th Super rugby game for the Bulls and experience such as that should see the Bulls get home.
There is no doubt the Cheetahs have a tough pack, and pace out on the wings. However it’s the lack of a general at flyhalf that may stop them getting the momentum they need. Riaan Viljoen should be able to use his long boot to drive the Bulls back into their own half, but this Bulls side has got all the ammunition it needs to play whatever style it needs to.
The Bulls may be slightly rusty after little match practice, and the Cheetahs best bet may be to start strong and try to mount the pressure on the defending champs.
In the end the match may come down to goal kicking, and in Morne Steyn the Bulls have a match winner, whilst Naas Olivier can have his off days.
John Mametsa is a late replacement for Francois Hougaard who couldn’t complete the captains run, but Mametsa can do the job and has a high work-rate.
I’m fairly confident of a Bulls victory, but in Bloemfontein, anything can happen!
Vodacom Bulls:
1. Gurtho Steenkamp
2. Gary Botha
3. Werner Kruger
4. Danie Rousouw
5. Victor Matfield (c)
6. Deon Stegmaan
7. Pedrie Wannenburg
8. Pierre Spies
9. Fourie du Preez
10. Morne Steyn
11. John Mametsa
12. Wynand Olivier
13. Jaco Pretorius
14. Gerhard van den Heever
15. Zane Kirchner
16. Bandise Maku
17. Bees Roux
18. Flip vd Merwe
19. Derick Kuün
20. Heini Adams
21. Jacques-Louis Potgieter
22. Stephan Dippenaar
Vodacom Cheetahs:
1. Wian du Preez
2. Adriaan Strauss
3. WP Nel
4. Nico Breedt
5. David de Villiers
6. Heinrich Brussow
7. Juan Smith (c)
8. Ashley Johnson
9. Tewis de Bruyn
10. Naas Olivier
11. Jongi Nokwe
12. Meyer Bosman
13. Corne Uys
14. Lionel Mapoe
15. Riaan Viljoen
16. Ryno Barnes
17. Coenie Oosthuizen
18. Waltie Vermeulen
19. Frans Viljoen
20. Sarel Pretorius
21. Sias Ebersohn
22. Danwel Demas
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan
Previous Super 14 results:
2006: Bulls 30, Cheetahs 18 (Bloemfontein)
2007: Bulls 24, Cheetahs 20 (Pretoria)
2008:Bulls 60, Cheetahs 20 (Bloemfontein)
2009: Bulls 29, Cheetahs 20 (Pretoria)
