Injured centre Wynand Olivier will not be confirmed in the Bulls team until Friday, the day before the Super 14 rugby final against the Waikato Chiefs at Loftus Versfeld.
Olivier was named in the Bulls squad and ran with them in practice on Tuesday, but the Springbok was still favouring the hip he injured in the last regular season match. Olivier missed last weekend’s semifinal win over the Canterbury Crusaders at Loftus.
If Olivier plays, he will be at inside centre with Jaco Pretorius wearing number 13. If not, the Bulls will be unchanged from the weekend’s 36-23 win.
Bulls captain Victor Matfield said they were desperate to capitalise on their first home final.
The Bulls became South Africa’s first and only Super 14 champions two years ago, but won it in Durban over the Sharks.
”It’s such a tough competition and you never know when you’re going to have a chance to win it again, but it’s going to take a huge effort from us,” Matfield said.
”It will be nice to have an experienced squad that can handle the pressure.”
Meanwhile, Warren Gatland, a former Waikato player and coach now assisting the British and Irish Lions, said the Bulls were favourites because they were at home.
But, he said, ”I’ll be cheering hard for the Chiefs.” — Sapa-AP