News

Blue Bulls bulk up with Boks

Wednesday 08th October 2008

Danie Rossouw: Returns from injury

The Free State Cheetahs should brace themselves for a vicious Blue Bulls backlash in their Currie Cup semi-final on Saturday after coach Frans Ludeke named a formidable side for the clash at Loftus Versfeld.

Ludeke named nine Springboks in his matchday 22 - seven of whom played in the Rugby World Cup last year - in an attempt to make up for their semi-final slump last season and become the force that earned them five consecutive final appearances from 2002.

Springbok locks Victor Matfield and Danie Rossouw, scrum-half Fourie du Preez, wing Bryan Habana and number eight Pierre Spies all return after getting a break last week.

Their presence, especially with a World Cup, Super 14 and a few Currie Cup titles to their names, should give the Bulls some peace of mind going into the game.

In contrast, the Cheetahs have only two Tri-Nations Springboks in their squad -
flanker Juan Smith and wing Jongi Nokwe - giving the Bulls a serious mental edge.

Ludeke's inclusion of Boks Gurthr� Steenkamp (prop) and Chiliboy Ralepelle (hooker), in particular, who have been rotated with other players throughout the season, shows he is placing a high price on experience.

Cool-headed fly-half Morn� Steyn also returns to the starting XV and will play a key role with half-back partner Du Preez in a game that should produce the hard, grinding ten-man rugby the Bulls have mastered.

"The timing in terms of resting the guys who have played a lot of Super 14 and Test rugby this year was perfect," said Bulls coach Ludeke.

"The guys are fresh and the spirit in the camp is good. It is also good to have so many wise men in a game where making the right decisions and saying the right things (to lift the team) will be vital."

With the highly rated lock pairing of Matfield and Rossouw a force in the line-outs, a strong scrummaging front row of Steenkamp, Derick Kuun and Rayno Gerber, and a classy loose trio featuring Spies and flanks Deon Stegmann and Van Heerden, the Cheetahs pack will have to be in top form to overpower this Bulls machine.