Decisive match at Loftus
2006-04-28 21:34
Pretoria - Rugby supporters at Loftus Versfeld are in for a lively and innovative Super 14 match on Saturday instead of dour, traditional South African rugby when the Sharks and the Bulls play in a decisive match to remain in the running for a Super 14 semi-finals berth.
Derby games like these usually results in tussles, ending with low scores and little enterprising running, with a win uppermost in the mind.
The Bulls and the Sharks have no choice in this decisive game to go full out and run with the ball to score four or more tries for a bonus point.
A full house is all that is required by either of the two South African teams to remain within grasp of the fourth position on the Super 14 log.
Much was said this week about the fact that the scrumming match could be the deciding factor in the clash and the visitors have reason to believe that they could have a slight advantage.
However, the Bulls sweated at their scrumming this week and, according to Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer they are ready and able.
The Sharks and their coach, Dick Muir, are a wily crowd and wise enough not to be led astray with a red herring of pinning their hopes on scrumming ability only.
The two packs will also try to sort it out in the line-outs and winning the loose ball.
Sharks remain favourites
There is no doubt that the performance at the base of the scrums could be as deciding as the clash up front.
Ruan Pienaar, at scrumhalf, has been exhibiting exhilarating play this year that should still lead to Springbok colours, while Tony Brown - former All Blacks flyhalf - has brought about a metamorphosis in the Sharks backline performance.
The Bulls, on the other hand, will depend heavily on the genius of their Springbok scrumhalf, Fourie du Preez, a strong-running and unpredictable halfback.
And if Morné Steyn could go up another gear, he could play with a lot of self-confidence.
The Bulls could also rely on other flamboyant backline runners such as Jaco van der Westhuyzen at fullback and Springbok wing Bryan Habana.
The Sharks, however, are regarded as favourites as they have been in better tick lately because of their combination as a team
The teams are:
Sharks: Percy Montgomery, Cedric Mkhize, Adrian Jacobs, Andries Strauss, Odwa Ndungane, Tony Brown, Ruan Pienaar, AJ Venter, Jacques Botes, Warren Britz, Johann Muller, Johan Ackermann, BJ Botha, John Smit (c), Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: Bismarck du Plessis, Deon Carstens, Albert van den Berg, Keegan Daniel, Scott Mathie, Brad Barritt, Brent Russell.
Bulls:Jaco van der Westhuysen, Frikkie Welsh, JP Nel, Wynand Olivier, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Pedrie Wanneburg, Tim Dlulane, Jacques Cronje, Victor Matfield (c), Bakkies Botha, Danie Thiart, Gary Botha, Wessel Roux.
Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Jaco Engels, Danie Rossouw, Francois van Schouwenburg, Pierre Spies, Heini Adams, Akona Ndungane.
Referee: JC Fortuin.