Bulls expect a fierce battle against Griquas
TRAFFIC is heavily congested at the top of the Currie Cup log but the Blue Bulls have a chance to separate themselves from the Sharks, who are tied with them on 20 points, if they beat Griquas at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night.
The Bulls named their team on Tuesday to take on Griquas, one of the toughest sides to put away in the domestic rugby competition. The men from Kimberley have made life difficult for the top guns this season, transferring their form from the Currie Cup qualifiers — where they finished second behind Western Province — into the Premier Division.
The Bulls have been scintillating at times — such as in the win against the Golden Lions — and other times they have been flat. But two wins on the bounce have given them impetus to push for a home semifinal.
Bulls assistant coach, Pine Pienaar, however, said it would be arrogant to think they would waltz past Griquas just because they hold home court and sit a place and a point above their opponents.
“We are definitely not looking past Griquas. They’ve won each of their last four games, so they bring a nice intensity to the way they play,” he said.
“It would be arrogant of us to look at the log and prejudge who should beat whom. It’s going to be a massive battle because they are always a difficult side, especially if you underestimate them. I think the fact that they are in the running for a place in the semifinals also makes them dangerous.
“They built some nice momentum during the Currie Cup qualifiers and they didn’t have any players playing for the Cheetahs in Super Rugby. They are one of the better sides in the competition and probably one of the best Griquas sides of the past few years. They bring a nice mixture to the way they play.”
The Bulls have welcomed promising young forwards Jason Jenkins and Jannes Kirsten back from injury but the pair will start from the bench on Friday. Poacher Roelof Smit will start at openside flank in place of the injured Ruan Steenkamp. Last week’s man-of-thematch against the Pumas, loosehead Lizo Gqoboka, makes way for Pierre Schoeman.
“The guys have played well in the last two games against the Lions and the Pumas,” said Pienaar. “It’s nice having Jason and Jannes back, so hopefully they can bring some impact from the bench and up the intensity in the last part of the game.
“We made a few errors against the Pumas that we want to fix. We did our homework on Griquas and come Friday night we want to make sure that we are spot-on. Griquas can put you under pressure because they are riding high on confidence.”