Another season of disappointment?

Unfortunately for WP, their dreams of Currie Cup glory this year might fall just short.

Had five points been taken against the Lions, a semifinal win against the maverick Cheetahs would certainly have been expected. Last year?s losing finalists - the Bulls - would then have faced the defending champion the Sharks in a rematch of the 2008 final. A potentially tired Sharks or Bulls side would have met WP in a Newlands final: a somewhat more positive season for WP regardless of the outcome.

Not finishing top of the log, after having their own fate in their grasp, has left WP in a precarious position. Their relatively young team will face a full-strength Bulls side - one vastly different from the side beaten at Newlands during the pool stage. Anything but a win against the Bulls - a side renowned for winning knock-out games - will be seen as another failed season for WP.

Springbok stalwarts Victor Matfield, Fourie du Preez, Bakkies Botha, Pierre Spies and Bryan Habana will form the core of the Bulls team, while kicking ace Morne Steyn will keep the scoreboard ticking over. The experience and skill these established Springboks bring to the Bulls are immeasurable.

The Newlands factor will hardly faze the experienced Bulls either, with many members having already tasted numerous successes the world over in the ?Green and Gold?.

On the other hand, without the services of Jean De Villiers and with Jack already departed, WP?s big-stage experience will be limited.

Schalk Burger, Watson, Andries Bekker, Peter Grant and Ricky Januarie are the experienced players Province will look to for inspiration, but even their expertise is limited compared to the Bulls? brainstrust.

Coming off a loss at Coca-Cola Park, and arguably having already reached their peak this year, WP might just see a bad moon rise over Cape Town come Saturday evening.

The Bulls will probably revert to their successful 10-man formula, but can easily turn on the heat out wide when the cracks appear.

Deon Stegmann and Dewald Potgieter have shown their worth this season, but Watson and Burger will hold their own in the loose.

The scrums will be a close contest as well, as WP have shown that they are well capable of stoking the fire.

The line-outs will see master face apprentice: Matfield vs. Bekker. Expect WP to lose balls on their own throw as the Bulls load the pressure at the front, middle and back of the line-out.

Peter Grant will measure the Newlands pitch with huge punts down the touchlines he knows so well, but Steyn and Du Preez will keep the Bulls pack moving forward, be it through line kicks or pinpoint up-and-unders.

WP will have to think outside of the box if they are to sneak this one and Coetzee will need a few tricks up his sleeve. Expect WP to play percentage rugby and to give the ball air when the time is right.

Big hearts and fearlessness might save the day, but against Pretoria?s blue machine, even that might not be enough.

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