A historic occasion at Orlando Stadium, Soweto!

The Bulls host the Crusaders for their 3rd semi-final clash, this time at the unfamiliar venue of Orlando Stadium in Soweto which has never been used for a super rugby fixture!

THE SOWETO STADIUM

The Bulls are excited to be playing in a new stadium, in a new environment and facing a new challenge. Rather than being bitter at having to leave the fortress of Loftus (as many pundits expected), collectively the Bulls are buzzing at embracing the situation they find themselves in.

“It’s a great stadium, and it may be a first time for us, but if you see the players walking around, they are taking pictures and really enjoying the experience” said Bulls captain Victor Matfield.

“The pitch is soft and fast, and this is our home game. We will do whatever we need to, to win the game on Saturday. This game is great for our country, and it is great that rugby comes to Soweto, especially if we want to grow the game in all areas of the country. To see the game sold out is amazing, and we’re expecting a mini-Loftus on Saturday” continued Matfield.

“I hear the stadium is sold out, which is great. People said that our supporters would stay away because of the perceptions they were supposed to have about Orlando, but the Bulls fans have shown their loyalty in packing in. They’ll be important in lifting us and making it as intimidating for the Crusaders as possible.”

GOOD LUCK FROM PROF FRTIZ ELOFF

As reported on the Bulls website, Prof Fritz Eloff, former president of the Blue Bulls and South African Rugby Football Unions turned 90 on Tuesday.

He wished the Bulls luck for the semi-final against the Crusaders, requesting a win to celebrate his 90th birthday.

“It is great to see them doing so well and I am sure they will go all the way again. Tell them I support them wholeheartedly for the weekend. The fact that the match will be played in Soweto is also a massive occasion for all and I am sure it will be a huge success” said Prof Eloff.

MILESTONES

Bulls captain, Victor Matfield plays his 100th Super rugby game for the Bulls (it will be his 108th super rugby game after playing 8 for the Cats early in his career).

“I’m proud to have played 100 Super Rugby games for the Bulls, but the 100th will be sweeter if we can win” said Victor Matfield.

TEAM SELECTION

The Bulls have made 15 changes to the side that lost to the Stormers, restoring their preferred, most experienced lineup. The starting line-up features 14 players who have won the Super 14 previously.

Jaco Pretorius returns from injury to shore up the midfield defence. His presence could ensure the Crusaders don’t find the midfield holes they discovered 2 weeks ago.

The side is well balanced and in Danie Rossouw and Flip van der Merwe there are 2 form locks who can help negate the suspension of Bakkies Botha.

A 5-2 bench gives the Bulls cover later in the game when I expect the altitude to take effect and the Bulls can put the Crusaders away like they did 2 weeks ago, and like they have done in the 2 semi-finals they’ve contested in Pretoria in 2007 and 2009.

DO THE CRUSADERS HAVE THE BLUEPRINT?

After their close loss at Loftus 2 weeks ago, the Crusaders have publicly stated they believe they have the formula to beat the Bulls. On that occasion they moved the ball wide at every opportunity, utilising the wrap-around and playing at a high-tempo to gain momentum and get over the advantage line. Going forward they were able to dominate the breakdown and utilise quick ball to send the Bulls backpedalling at a rate of knots.

Bulls captain Victor Matfield wasn’t so sure the Crusaders would be able to, or even attempt to replicate that attempt. Semi-finals are often tighter, like test matches and as the league match showed, when the pace slows down, the Crusaders struggled to get in behind the Bulls and Deon Stegmann was the one bossing the breakdown.

Speaking to Keo.co.za, Victor Matfield said “The last time we played they were chasing a bonus point to stay in the semi-final mix, so their approach was understandable. This is a semi-final were bonus points are of no consequence, so we’re not paying too much attention to what they are saying in the media.”

“Semi-finals have usually resembled Test matches quite closely, in that teams are reluctant to take risks in their own territory and prefer to play for field position then pressure the opposition into errors. We’re covering all our bases, and our philosophy has always been to focus on what we do well. If we prepare thoroughly and play to our potential we believe we can beat anyone. We have to muscle up in contact, especially on defence. We let them get across the gain line too often at Loftus, and when you allow a side as good as the Crusaders to build up momentum you’re always going to struggle” said Matfield.

Look for the Bulls to impose their game on the Crusaders, make the Crusaders make plenty of tackles and hopefully reverse the tables.

EXPERIENCE, LEADERSHIP AND ADAPTABILITY THE KEY

Bulls coach Frans Ludeke expects the Crusaders to try and add another string to their bow when they meet the Bulls, as top sides have the ability to read the game and alter their tactics.

“They are too experienced to play in one way for the entire game, particularly if we manage to get on top of them defensively. They’ll certainly have a primary game plan, but the best sides, and the Crusaders are one of the best, are able to switch between a couple of different strategies during the course of a game” Bulls coach Frans Ludeke told Keo.co.za.

Ludeke values his brains trust of Victor Matfield and Fourie du Preez to read the situation and control the tactics which will render his side successful.

“That’s where the value of our experienced players and leadership core like Victor Matfield and Fourie du Preez is found. They are so sharp to spot a change of tactics and instruct the team to make the necessary changes. They are also central to our ability to spot a dead end in terms of our tactics and make the subtle changes that help us strike somewhere else. It won’t be the only decisive factor in winning or losing, but it certainly will be one of the most important.”

Ludeke is also happy with his sides mental status and believes his side can will not be distracted by last weeks loss as they are focused on the job they have to do.

“In 2009, I was struck by how focused the squad was in the week leading up to the match, but from what I’ve seen so far, they’ve taken it up a level” said Ludeke.

MY VIEW

The Crusaders have had a tough schedule in the last few weeks. After travelling to Perth, they moved to Cape Town, to Pretoria, to Christchurch and now only arrived in Johannesburg on Tuesday. No Matter how good you are, it’s got to have an effect.

The key for the Bulls is: start well.
Score early, put the Crusaders under pressure and it’ll be a road to far to travel in the second half at altitude and in a hostile environment.

I am sure the Crusaders will come hard at the Bulls initially.
They’ll want to put the Bulls under pressure, and make the Bulls anxious playing in a new stadium. I’m sure the Crusaders will look to use a lot of width, and the guy who I believe has been instrumental for them is Colin Slade at fullback who hits the line intelligently and distributes the ball to his wingers well.

The Bulls however need to dominate the breakdowns and slow the ball to the Crusaders back, although I’m sure the Bulls defence will operate more effectively with Jaco Pretorius back, and the line can come up as a unit and shut down the Crusaders midfield.

Look also for the big time players to step up. du Preez, Matfield, Steyn, Spies etc. If they can get ball, get the Crusaders
making tackles, they can put pressure on the Crusaders defence and with a few points of their own, the Crusaders may have to chase the game early.

No matter who dominates the opening stanza, the Bulls will be well rested and should be able to stamp their authority in the second half to secure a victory. They deserve it for being league leaders, the most consistent side and setting the pace. The other factor many have failed to mention is the quality of the bench. I;m sure it’ll play a part, and it may just help swing the game late in the second half.

I’m picking the Bulls by 16.


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. Jaco van der Westhuyzen
15. Zane Kirchner

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

Crusaders:

1. Ben Franks
2. Ti’i Paulo
3. Owen Franks
4. Brad Thorn
5. Sam Whitelock
6. George Whitelock
7. Richie McCaw (c)
8. Kieran Read
9. Andy Ellis
10. Daniel Carter
11. Zac Guildford
12. Dan Bowden
13. Robbie Fruean
14. Sean Maitland
15. Colin Slade

16. Daniel Perrin
17. Wyatt Crockett
18. Chris Jack
19. Thomas Waldrom
20. Kahn Fotuali’i
21. Tim Bateman
22. Jared Payne


Referee: Stu Dickinson

Previous Super 14 results:

2006: Bulls 17, Crusaders 35 (Pretoria)
2006: Bulls 15, Crusaders 35 (SF Christchurch)
2007: Bulls 10, Crusaders 32 (Christchurch)
2007: Bulls 27, Crusaders 12 (SF Pretoria)
2008: Bulls 19, Crusaders 54 (Pretoria)
2009: Bulls 13, Crusaders 16 (Christchurch)
2009: Bulls 36, Crusaders 23 (SF Pretoria)
2010: Bulls 40, Crusaders 35 (Pretoria)