THE Blue Bulls have pretty much looked unstoppable in this year's Super 14.
THE Blue Bulls have pretty much looked unstoppable in this year's Super 14.
Five wins on the trot and things are looking good for them. The problem, though, is that they have played all these matches at home in Pretoria.
Just how good they are will be seen when they start their overseas campaign against the Western Force in Perth tomorrow. The Bulls have made one change to the side that pipped the Hurricanes 19-18 in an engrossing match last Friday, with coach Frans Ludeke recalling centre Jaco Pretorius after he was out injured for four weeks.
Missing out is 22-year-old Stephan Dippenaar, who reverts to the bench.
"I'm happy with Stephen, as he took his chances well when given the opportunity. It is good to know we have that kind of depth in the squad," Ludeke said on the Bulls website.
In the engine room Victor Matfield, Danie Rossouw, Gurthro Steenkamp and Pierre Spies will be expected to produce the goods to get their tour off to a positive start. The Force, on the other hand, have had a horrid time of late. Yet to pick up a win this season, the side will also be rocked by the news on Wednesday that coach John Mitchell has opted not to renew his contract next year.
It will be up to captain Nathan Sharpe to rally the troops on their own ground.
Elsewhere tonight, the Cheetahs and the Queensland Reds meet in a mid-table clash in Bloemfontein and home side's coach Naka Drotske has brought back Riaan Viljoen, Danwel Demas and Ashley Johnson in an attempt to pick up their third win of the year.
tour will test bulls
THE Blue Bulls have pretty much looked unstoppable in this year's Super 14.
THE Blue Bulls have pretty much looked unstoppable in this year's Super 14.
Five wins on the trot and things are looking good for them. The problem, though, is that they have played all these matches at home in Pretoria.
Just how good they are will be seen when they start their overseas campaign against the Western Force in Perth tomorrow. The Bulls have made one change to the side that pipped the Hurricanes 19-18 in an engrossing match last Friday, with coach Frans Ludeke recalling centre Jaco Pretorius after he was out injured for four weeks.
Missing out is 22-year-old Stephan Dippenaar, who reverts to the bench.
"I'm happy with Stephen, as he took his chances well when given the opportunity. It is good to know we have that kind of depth in the squad," Ludeke said on the Bulls website.
In the engine room Victor Matfield, Danie Rossouw, Gurthro Steenkamp and Pierre Spies will be expected to produce the goods to get their tour off to a positive start. The Force, on the other hand, have had a horrid time of late. Yet to pick up a win this season, the side will also be rocked by the news on Wednesday that coach John Mitchell has opted not to renew his contract next year.
It will be up to captain Nathan Sharpe to rally the troops on their own ground.
Elsewhere tonight, the Cheetahs and the Queensland Reds meet in a mid-table clash in Bloemfontein and home side's coach Naka Drotske has brought back Riaan Viljoen, Danwel Demas and Ashley Johnson in an attempt to pick up their third win of the year.