Missing as much as 13 players to the Tri-Nations the playing fields have been slightly levelled but such is the depth of the Blue Bulls outfit that you can’t see them losing this one.
The Pumas however will be looking for the upset win and vindication that they deserve to be in the Currie Cup Premier Division and coach Jimmy Stonehouse has gone a long way to prepare his team for this massive encounter. Well drilled and able to stick to a game plan has been the recipe for the Pumas success and they will be looking to defend as well as they can.
However the Bulls are packed with experience, ably led by captain of the day Gary Botha it is a team brimming to power and a culture of success. Stegmann, Kunn, Flip vd Merwe and the flyer Gerhard van den Heever will provide the Blue Bulls with plenty of options and we predict a fiery start by the Griquas which will quickly disintegrate as soon as the Blue Bulls start to score. Blue Bulls by 20 or more.
The teams:
Bulls: 15 Jaco van der Westhuyzen; 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Stephan Dippenaar, 12 Stefan Watermeyer, 11 John Mametsa; 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 Ruan Snyman; 8 Gerrit-Jan van Velze, 7 Derick Kuün, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Fudge Mabeta, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha (c), 1 Dean Greyling.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Bees Roux, 18 Juandre Kruger, 19 CJ Stander, 20 Danie Faasen, 21 Francois Brummer, 22 Hayden Groepes.
Pumas: 15 Carl Bezuidenhout; 14 Du-Wayne Smart, 13 Ashwin Scott, 12 Jevon Botha, 11 Shaun Venter; 10 Ricardo Croy, 9 Tian Meyer; 8 Junior Bester, 7 Eduan van der Walt, 6 Corné Steenkamp, 5 Marius Coetzer, 4 Luhan Velthuizen, 3 Ashley Buys, 2 Hannes Franklin (c), 1 Dawie Steyn.
Replacements: 16 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 17 Ronnie Uys, 18 Willem Serfontein, 19 Doppies le Roux, 20 Jacques Coetzee, 21 Elgar Watts, 22 Allistair Ketteldas.
