The coach of the Vodacom Blue Bulls, Frans Ludeke, has
named an unchanged team for Saturday's ABSA Currie Cup final between the Bulls
and the Sharks.
Ludeke said at the press conference that was held at Loftus
Versfeld on Tuesday that naming the same team brings calmness to the camp and
it is vital for him that the combinations stays the same for such a tense match
as a Currie Cup final.
"When players play a few games next to one another
they start to anticipate what their teammates are going to do and then you can
start to function as a team. We are in a situation where the guys play for each
other and they do not just worry about their own game."
Ludeke is not worried that the Sharks are the heavy
favourites for the final and says that the Blue Bulls will focus on their own
game.
"We have confidence in ourselves and in our
structures, but this is a totally new game and we will work for the right
result. There is a sense of urgency in the team and the players are focused and
we all know there is going to be a test atmosphere in Durban, but we will only concentrate on what
we need to do to win."
The captain Victor Matfield added that the team is used to
routine and therefore they will approach this game more or less the same as any
other final.
"A couple of us have played in a number of finals and
we will just do what worked for us in the past.
"Playing in a final is a huge honour and you do get
nervous from time to time, but with the nerves comes adrenaline and that gives
you the necessary extra energy. We know it is not going to be easy but we are
going to fight for the full 80 minutes to ensure that the Currie Cup comes back
to Pretoria."
Vodacom Blue Bulls: Zane Kirchner; John Mametsa, Marius Delport, Wynand
Olivier, Bryan Habana; Morné Steyn, Fourie du Preez; Pierre Spies, Wikus van
Heerden, Deon Stegmann, Victor Matfield (captain), Danie Rossouw, Rayno Gerber,
Derick Kuün, Gurthrö Steenkamp. Reserves: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Werner Kruger,
Juandré Kruger, Dewald Potgieter, Heini Adams, Burton Francis, Tiger Mangweni.
www.bluebulls.co.za