The Blue Bulls are confident they will continue their amazing run in Currie Cup play-offs, even though they will not have the luxury of playing at their beloved Loftus Versfeld this year.

With the top two positions on the standings already secured by the defending champion Sharks and Western Province, the Bulls - who will finish third or fourth - will have to travel to either Cape Town or Durban for the semifinals.

However, those are venues where they have had success in the play-offs in the past and the men from Pretoria are not concerned that a road trip will be that much tougher.

It is confidence based on their ability to win when it matters.

The Bulls have appeared in 30 of the 48 Currie Cup finals since they were introduced in 1938, having won 22 of those - a successful conversion rate of 73 percent. Even more amazing is the fact that the Bulls have only lost twice in semifinals since they were introduced in 1954.

Compare this to the other teams in the play-off race - Western Province have won 11 times in 22 appearances in finals (50 percent success rate), the Sharks with five wins in 11 finals (45 percent) and the Cheetahs with four wins in 12 finals (33 percent). The Golden Lions, who are out of the play-off running, have won eight of the 18 finals they appeared in and Griquas have won the only final they appeared in.

Not surprising the men from Pretoria back themselves when it comes to play-off time.

"The Bulls have always done well in the play-offs, nomatter where we play," replacement hooker Bandise Maku told iafrica.com in an interview, as the Bulls prepared to face the lowly Leopards in their final league match in Phokeng on Friday.

"We know what it takes [to win play-offs]," the Emerging Springbok said, adding: "It is about making as few mistakes as possible and get into the right positions to score.

"Obviously playing at home gives you an advantage, but if we have to travel so be it, that is the game of rugby."

Maku, one of the Bulls' star performers in their 61-27 demolition of Griquas last Saturday, said nomatter where the game takes place, it is what happens between those white lines on the day that matters.

"Everyone just have to bring their A-Game and the team will succeed," the 23-year-old hooker said.

Asked what exactly is it that sets the Bulls apart from other teams when it comes to performing on the big stage, he spoke of the structures and the belief the players have in those.

"The juniors that come through are being assisted and guided [by senior players] and then there is the great work ethic amongst the players.

"That is the key, the work ethic - the players always push each other and raise the bar for each other, making sure the standards are always high."

Despite their impressive win over Griquas, who could finish in the top four if they can collect two points against the Sharks in Kimberley this coming Saturday, Maku felt the Bulls can still make considerable improvements to their game.

"It was a big performance from the guys, but there are still a couple of things that we must work on," the hooker told this website.

"We just need to be more clinical in our finishing," he said, adding that there are some "small mistakes" to iron out - like handling errors and losing the ball in contact.

"It is all the basic stuff that we need to go back to and fine-tune them."

Maku, who came on as a replacement against Griquas, is relishing the opportunity to again show his wares in the absence of injured Springbok Chiliboy Ralepelle.

However, he was quick to pay tribute to his teammates and deflect praise away from his own performance.

"It does help when the team starts so well [as the Bulls did against Griquas]. It allows the coach to bring on some replacements after the break and get some fresh legs out there.

"The performance by the guys who started certainly helped, it was just an opportunity for us to finish the game for the team."

He said he is looking to use these opportunities that come his way to press for a more regular spot, but also knows there are some aspects of his game that can never be neglected.

"You want to have solid basics, good line-outs and good scrums. You must perform like a fourth loose forward on the field, with a good workrate.

"The key word for me, personally, is the workrate," he said.

He said the Bulls won't be underestimating the lowly Leopards, when they meet at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace on Friday, but they will also look to fine tune their own game ahead of the play-offs.

"The key word here is execution," Maku said, adding: "We must do our basics right and control what we can control.

"We obviously will also be looking for a good win to give us confidence going into the play-offs."

Bio:

Full name: Bandise Grey
Surname: Maku
Height: 183cm
Weight: 104kg
Birth date: 24 July 1986
Birth city: King Williams Town
Favourite film: King Arthur
Favourite music: R&B, House
Favourite food: Pasta & T-Bone Steak
Primary school: Dale Junior
Secondary school: Dale College
Tertiary education: TUT


Squads: Emerging Springboks (British & Irish Lions - 2009), Emerging SA (IRB Nations Cup - 2007), South Africa Under-21 (IRB U21 World Championship - 2006), Bulls (Super 14 - 2008 to 2009), Blue Bulls (Currie Cup - 2007 to 2009), Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup - 2006 to 2009)

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