Preview: Blue Bulls v Wesern Province

The Bulls, who finished second on the log, will host their first Currie Cup Semifinal since 2008.

The clash in Pretoria will mark the third time that the two great north-south rivals meet this season, with a home victory to each team thus far.

Province triumphed over their old rivals in last season's semifinal in Cape town, and the men from Pretoria will be hoping to return the favour this time around.

Province eventually went on to lift the coveted Currie Cup trophy in front of their home crowd, after former coach Allister Coetzee’s charges edged the Golden Lions 19-16 in the 2014 Final.

Province coach John Dobson will be looking at certain areas of the game where they fell short at Loftus Versfeld earlier in the season, especially  focusing on the restarts.

"It [restarts] cost us 18 or 19 points at Loftus and I think about 21 points at Ellis Park," said Dobson.

"We are having more restarts in some games – considerably more than scrums – we have tweeked our plans a bit this week, in terms of who is receiving and how we are returning it.

The coach also feels that his side didn't do enough to deserve a home semifinal, however he does feel that they have enough ability to achieve the away victory.

"The Bulls deserve to be hosting the semifinal," Dobson added.

"It's tricky because when you get to the pressure side of the playoffs, your natural instinct is to worry about where you are on the field, and that's the debate they are probably having in Pretoria.

"I can't tell you which way they are going to go but it's not quite as cavalier as it was earlier in the season.

"We want to get the ball through the phases and we have to be clever about when and how we kick – if we are going to kick an unstructured kick and hope away, we are going to be under pressure from their back three.

"Our plan will be to try and kick in a structured fashion so that we are able to work really hard on our chasing lines to make sure we are claiming the territory game."

Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais has named Jacques du Plessis at lock.

Du Plessis was a late withdrawal to the team that edged the Pumas 25-24 in Nelspruit last weekend, but he is ready to reclaim his regular No.4 spot in the team.

Rudolph Snyman, who replaced Du Plessis for the Pumas match, moves back to the bench as an impact player, but his replacement in Nelspruit, Jason Jenkins, retains his spot on the bench.

Jenkins will take over from Ruan Steenkamp as the fourth loose forward as Marais opted for more bulk on the bench.

Province were boosted by the return of several fit-again regulars.

Fullback Cheslin Kolbe, wing Seabelo Senatla, centre Johnny Kotze, flank Rynhardt Elstadt, lock Ruan Botha and hooker Bongi Mbonambi all return to the starting XV this week.

The return of the physical Elstadt especially is a major boost for Province as he missed the last four matches with a thigh problem.

Captain Juan de Jongh will lead the defending champions into battle and will pair up with Johnny Kotze in midfield, with Senatla, Dillyn Leyds and Kolbe forming a dangerous back three.

Nic Groom and Robert du Preez will start at scrumhalf and flyhalf respectively, with scrumhalf Jano Vermaak back on the bench after missing their last two matches with a groin strain.

Prop Oliver Kebble has shaken off an ankle injury and will start on the bench, where he is joined by lock Chris van Zyl.

Players to watch:

For Blue Bulls: Dries Swanepoel has been a revelation this season. He will certainly test the centre combination of Johnny Kotze and Juan de Jongh. Jamba Ulengo has arguably been the best finisher in the competition this season. If the Bulls forwards are able to dominate then Province are going to struggle to keep the wing at bay.

For Western Province: If the Blue Bulls adopt an expansive style of play then it will bring Cheslin Kolbe into the game. He has the ability to make the Bulls pay for any mistakes with his devastatinig runs from deep in his own half. Dillyn Leyds has done very well while covering for Kolbe and the ability of those two players to catch the Bulls on the break will be somewhat of a concern for Bulls coach Nollis Marais.

Head to head: Flyhalf Tian Schoeman was sensational for the Bulls in the first half of the season. However he has failed to maintain that momentum and he will be facing another inexperienced youngster in the form of Robert du Preez. The match may very well be decided by which of the two flyhalves are able to show the most composure.

Recent results:

2015: Western Province won 29-14, Cape Town

2015: Blue Bulls won 47-29, Pretoria

2014: Western Province won 31-23, Cape Town (Currie Cup semifinal)

2014: Western Province won 23-18, Pretoria

2014: Western Province won 41-17, Cape Town

Prediction: Western Province are a dangerous side and are capable of beating anyone on their day, but the Blue Bulls have been collossal at Loftus Versfeld this season. This match will be very tight, especially in the first half but if the Bulls can regain the form that they displayed for most of the season they might just have enough to edge out the men from Cape Town.

Teams:

Blue Bulls: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Dries Swanepoel, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Pieter Labuschagne (captain), 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jacques du Plessis, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Pierre Schoeman.

Replacements:  16 Corniel Els, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 RG Snyman, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Ivan van Zyl, 21 Louis Fouché, 22 William Small-Smith.

Western Province: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Juan de Jongh (captain), 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 6 Rynhardt Elstadt, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Replacements: 16 Michael Willemse, 17 Oliver Kebble, 18 Chris van Zyl, 19 Jurie van Vuuren, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Kurt Coleman, 22 Huw Jones.

Date: Friday, October 16

Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)

Expected Weather: Partly cloudy with a slight chance of rain, high of 16, wind 15 kph

Referee: Lesego Legoete

Assistant referees: Stuart Berry, Quinton Immelman

TMO: Christie du Preez

Source: Rugby365.com and @SaRugby