Fleck: No room for complacency
Western Province will be full of confidence ahead of their semifinal clash, after having beaten the Blue Bulls on two occasions this year, but assistant coach Robbie Fleck has insisted the squad is far from being complacent.
The Blue Bulls made a slow start to the campaign but have made a dramatic turn-around despite being under immense pressure to secure a spot in the playoffs.
"They are not the same side we played against [this season]. They have improved significantly and are a strong outfit in set-pieces and up front. Their game is coming along nicely and we are well aware of the progress they have made.
"There's always pressure on both sides [WP and Bulls] to perform well in the Currie Cup. They are in a different mental state and have a lot more confidence as a team.
"Results of the earlier games mean nothing. It's a semifinal and we playing against our traditional rivals. We upped the tempo in training because we are facing a quality side and if we want to progress we need to respect them, like we have always done in the past," he said.
Fleck stated they had been watching the Bulls' progress throughout the tournament and feels they are "back to their best" with the likes of experienced campaigners and exciting young players who have gelled nicely and have a sense of belief in each other.
"They are very dangerous side at the moment who have come back nicely, after a slow start, to get themselves back in the mix over the last couple of weeks. As the season progressed they have been improving and look like a Bulls side who are back at their best.
"It's going to be a massive challenge, especially in a semifinal, as they are playing with a lot of confidence and have survived testing times. We understand we are facing our old, traditional rivals and it's always a massive match against them," he added.
A key aspect of the contest will be the battle between two hugely impressive flyhalves: Handre Pollard, the incumbent Springbok and Demetri Catrakilis, who has been influential to the success of WP's season.
"He [Pollard] is quality player who has come through the Bulls' ranks and has proving himself on the international stage. It's clear to see his quality and he has a lot of self-belief which rubs off on the rest of the team. He's had an exceptional season.
"Demetri has played well over the last couple of weeks and playing against the incumbent Springbok flyhalf is going to be a big challenge. Pollard is a bit more of an attacking threat, who likes to take the ball to the line and has an all-round game. Dimmy [Catrakilis] and Kurt [Coleman] need to be aware of that.
"In saying that, Dimmy is playing with a lot more confidence. Pollard is deadly in the first channel which we all need to be sharp for. It's not one persons responsibility but the defensive system as a whole that needs to be awake in that area. He [Pollard] brings something different to their game," he added.
Another intriguing battle could be between young Kobus van Wyk and the more experienced Bjorn Basson, who Fleck sees as "probably the best exponent in the air".
"Bjorn [Basson] is probably the best exponent in the air and the Bulls used that to good effect against Griquas. Besides that threat, when he had a bit of space, he operated really effectively so it's good to see him back on form – in terms of SA.
"I guess you can say that he's the veteran and Kobus is the young kid on the block. It's going to be a great match-up between two quality players," he stated.
By Tauriq Ebrahim
@Tagels03
