Bulls out to gore Lions’ pride in Jukskei derby

THE Blue Bulls face their biggest challenge this season when they take on the Golden Lions in a Currie Cup match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday night.

In fact, Bulls coach Nollis Marais believes his charges will go into the clash as underdogs against a pride of Lions who have been roaring loudly since the start of the campaign.

Both sides remain unbeaten so far, having won all five of their matches in the competition.

“The players know themselves that the Lions are very good. I think the Lions are the top side at the moment and we are the underdogs this weekend,” Marais said yesterday.

“I think this is going to be a real test to see where we really are. They will ask different questions in the set pieces and if we give them broken field then we will be in big trouble.

“They believe in themselves. It’s going to be a huge challenge for us this week.”

The Lions top the Currie Cup log table with the Bulls in second place, a single point separating the two.

But Marais expects nothing less than a win from his side.

“We play to win. If you think you’ll lose, then you will lose. If you think you will knock the ball on, then you will,” Marais said.

“If you are going to fear the Lions, then you may as well braai and give them the five points.”

Marais is set to have a new starting midfield pairing this weekend as the Grey College combination of Jan Serfontein and Dries Swanepoel is rekindled. Burger Odendaal will be on the bench for the Jukskei derby.

Going forward the Bulls coach, who has a wealth of talent at centre, is expecting to rotate his gifted midfielders.

There is also uncertainty over the fitness of flyhalf Tian Schoeman, who suffered a calf injury in the match against the Cheetahs at the weekend. Should the pivot be unavailable, Louis Fouche will get the No10 jersey. A final decision will be made tomorrow.

Loose-forward Roelof Smit will retain his spot in the starting XV despite the return of experienced Bok Deon Stegmann from injury.