The Bulls are home at Loftus Versfeld, against the Chiefs, in a battle of the 2 heavyweights of this year’s competition. Just how will this titanic match unfold…

Neither team will want to deviate too far from what has got them to the final. For the Bulls it is centred around an excellent kicking game, which has allowed them to dominate territory against almost all opponents this year. For the Chiefs it will mean moving the ball wide at every opportunity to use Callum Bruce, Masaga, and Muliaina as they try and outflnk the Bulls.

The Bulls were shown last week what can happen when they are starved of territory, possession and the ability to influence the game with their key kickers Steyn and Du Preez. That they were able to adapt their game plan speaks volumes of the character of the side, and one could see once they got the lead they adjusted back to what they do best. They’ve been behind in their last 3 games, but they will not want to have to repeat their heroics again. Rather they’ll want to start well and strangle the Chiefs into errors. The return of Wynand Olivier should give the midfield more solidity and greater thrust in attack. I feel that the brilliance of Habana could once again bring the trophy back home to Pretoria.

The Chiefs on the other hand have to produce one last mamoth forward effort. If they can get parity they’ll be happy. They should achieve this for the first 50 minutes whereafter the altitude and Loftus factor may affect them. They’ll need to score early, and go wide at every opportunity, otherwise Lauaki and Messam will need to punch holes through the middle. whilst they’re always dangerous, this Bulls team has a mission to achieve and no Kiwi team is going to stop them.

The Bulls will be helped by having a South African ref in Jonathon Kaplan, although he is often tough against the Bulls. Still it’s better than a Kiwi or Aussie. It’s going to be an awesome atmosphere at Loftus, but at the end of the day the Bulls have been ultra consistent, have the reliability factor, massive game breakers and the experience of Super 14 and World Cup winners to continue the lagacy of the BULLS!