have the experience and abrasivness of the big lock. Just how much the Bulls will miss having a Bakkies to drive the mauls and dominate lineouts remains to be seen, but you can be sure the Crusaders are happy they will not be cleaned out by the unstoppable bulldozer. Admittedly the Bulls will not be surrounded by the creature comforts of Loftus Versfeld and despite what some say playing the match away from home is a great disadvantage that they will have to overcome quickly. The team that settles down and can implement their game plans the quickest will be able to dominate and ultimately run out winners.
Bakkies Botha had been suspended for four weeks for carelessly charging into a ruck last weekend. His nonappearance will enhance The Crusaders, who finished fourth in the standings but threatened to upstage the defending champions in their last match at Loftus on May 7. The home side scored a try after the final whistle to record a 40-35 win.
"Bakkies is a great player and it's always tough losing a player like that, but we haven't had him a lot this year and the team has gelled without him, with guys like Danie Rossouw and Flip van der Merwe doing really well," said Bulls captain Victor Matfield.
Matfield said his team would not have a problem playing in the Orlando stadium in the black township of Soweto.
"We see it as a home game, there will be 40,000 Bulls supporters and we're still at altitude, and it's also the chance to be part of history, bringing the Bulls to Soweto. It's not the buildings that make you a better player, it's the people, the vibe, you feel everyone behind you and that gives you energy," he said.
Courageous words from a great captain who will look to lead his team to yet another Super 14 title this time however without his trusty lock partner Bakkies Botha. I believe this will be a tighter match than expected but should the Bulls settle down quickly and the tactical kicking on a soccer field be good then there should be no ways the Bulls will lose.
