Reds a banana skin for Bulls

The Bulls and Reds go head-to-head at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, with the Pretoria-based franchise having a bye the week thereafter.

Then they cross the Indian Ocean to play the Western Force (in Perth on April 29), Brumbies (in Canberra a week later) and finish off the road trip with an encounter against the Waratahs (in Sydney on May 14).

Marais said he will name the team for the tour on Monday.

However, it is important that the Bulls get a "positive result" this week to set the tone for the tour.

"It is always better to go away with a win and the guys being positive," Marais said, adding: "The team is in a good frame of mind and we know what to do to win at Loftus.

"We said from the outset that if you want to compete [for places in the play-offs] you have to win your home games.

"This is one we have to win," he said of this week's encounter with the Reds.

He cautioned against reading too much into the Reds' lowly position on the standings – the team from Brisbane currently in 13th position, having scored their first win of the season with victory over the Highlanders last week.

"They were unlucky in a few games," Marais said.

"They lost by two points to the Waratahs and drew with the Blues.

"They are a very good side and their plan is coming together."

The Bulls mentor spoke of the dangers of giving the Reds too many opportunities in broken field play.

"We must deny them quick ball and possession in open play," he said, adding: "They are in the top three in the line-out stats and their scrums are also in the top four.

"If we can match them in the set pieces it will be an interesting game."

The Reds believe that it they can match the Bulls' physicality the battle will be half won.

"When you come to South Africa and go to Loftus [Versfeld] it is very easy to be intimidated," Reds co-interim coach Nick Stiles said for the team's training base in Johannesburg.

"The important thing for us on Saturday is that we understand intimidation is only real if you are not mentally in the right head space," Stiles said.

"Our preparation has to be spot on.

"The last day or two of preparation, leading into the match against the Bulls, will be important for us."

Lock Ben Matwijow sang from the same hymn book, saying that he is looking forward to an encounter that often borders on being brutal.

"Playing against the Bulls, it doesn't get much tougher," Matwijow said.

"A lot of it is mental, it is about mentally preparing yourself for the physical battle. It is about switching on and getting that part of your game right, ensure we go in there with a right attitude.

"We have looked at a few things where we think we can target them this week, at the set piece and if we execute well the sky is the limit."

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