Blue Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer sounded an ominous warning to his Cheetahs counterpart, Peet Kleynhans, on Wednesday, ahead of the Absa Currie Cup final at the weekend.
”We haven’t yet peaked this season and I think we can reach our full potential in the final,” Meyer said, after naming an unchanged XV from the one that beat the Lions 40-33 in the semifinal last weekend.
Considering that the Bulls have lost just once (36-33 to the Lions at Ellis Park) and drawn twice (against the Cheetahs and Western Province) in 14 games, if they fire on all cylinders on Saturday, the Free Staters could be in for a torrid 80 minutes.
The Bulls’ tendency to start well, hit a slump somewhere around half-time and then finish matches strongly is a slight worry, said Meyer.
”We need a [good] performance for 80 minutes. We won’t do anything new; just focus and keep doing what has worked for us so far.”
A huge battle is expected to be waged up front, and to that end Meyer was able to call on his first-choice pack.
”If you look at their tight five, it is going to be difficult for us at scrum time. We have worked hard on the scrum machine so far this week, but it doesn’t scrum back so we’ll have to see.”
Bok second-row pairing Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha will lock the scrum for the Bulls and both men present towering obstacles for the Cheetahs at the line-outs.
But in Boela du Plooy and Barend Pieterse, the Cheetahs have two men who will be confident after their mighty showing against Province at Newlands where they secured their own ball and snaffled a few from the home team.
It promises to be an intriguing battle that could ultimately decide who sips from the cup come Saturday night.
”What happened in previous weeks doesn’t matter,” argued Meyer, clearly trying to play down the threat of the Cheetahs pack. ”Free State play a very structured system. But we would rather play to our own strengths than focus on them.”
The flyhalves on each team — Derick Hougaard and Willem de Waal — will surely play pivotal roles in the outcome. Hougaard scored 25 points, including a superb solo try, to guide the Bulls into the final while De Waal was outstanding in his team’s victory.
But Meyer refused to single individuals out.
”Defence and discipline will win the game. Whoever remains the calmer out there will emerge on top. I also want the guys to enjoy themselves.”
Bulls captain Anton Leonard was grateful for the support his team has received in recent weeks for their home games.
”The support has been great and it has helped. I’m sure the fans will be a factor on Saturday. I just hope we can come through for them,” he said.
The Bulls will be aiming for their third title in a row. The last time that was achieved was back in the early 1980s when Western Province won from 1982 to 1984. They went on to add the 1985 and 1986 trophies to their cabinet for an unprecedented five consecutive triumphs.
Are the Bulls good enough to emulate that? Only time will tell, but first they need to take care of the not-insignificant obstacle of the Cheetahs. — Sapa
Blue Bulls team: Johan Roets, Keegan Fredericks, Frikkie Welsh, Ettienne Botha, Gavin Passens, Derick Hougaard, Fourie du Preez, Anton Leonard (captain), Warren Brosnihan, Jacques Cronje, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Richard Bands, Gary Botha, Kees Lensing.
Replacements: Danie Coetzee, Wessel Roux, Danie Rossouw, Pedrie Wannenburg, Norman Jordaan, Morne Steyn, JP Nel.