Déjà vu for Bulls and Sharks

Much like they did last season the Bulls and Sharks will clash in a match that could end their Super Rugby playoffs hopes.

The 2011 Super Rugby regular season matches ended with a thriller between the two sides with the winner guaranteed a place in the top six and the loser knocked out of the tournament. The Sharks won that encounter at Loftus Versfeld 26-23 and Bulls skipper Pierre Spies hasn't forgotten that day.

In the match on Saturday a victory for the Bulls will secure them a place in the knock-out phase of the competition, while a defeat will leave them fighting for their lives in the final match against the Lions.

"Every season is different, last year we were in a situation where we had to win every game to make the playoffs," Spies said.

"Our motivation to win is still the same and we would like to get a home quarter or semi, we want to get the best result we can."

While the Bulls are in a stronger position than at the same stage in last year's competition, they did not want to fall into the same trap against the Sharks.

"In the end you want to win your games and if you look at last year it was so close and yet so far losing that last game against the Sharks," Spies said.

"It is almost similar as there is a lot at stake this weekend with both teams gunning for that second place."

The weekend's results in the matches between the Cheetahs and the Stormers and the Sharks and Bulls could see the top position in the South African conference change.

The Cheetahs could do the Bulls a favour if they beat the Stormers on Saturday, provided the Pretoria-based side win their match.

The Sharks, who are in eighth place on the overall log, will be desperate to move back into the top six in the penultimate week of the Super Rugby knockout phase.

"We had a good roll against the Cheetahs last week and now it is another tough task waiting for us in Durban," Spies added.

SAPA