The Blue Bulls' Springbok trio of Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield and Fourie du Preez will celebrate their 50th Currie Cup appearance for the Bulls when they play the Free State Cheetahs in the Final in Pretoria on Saturday.

Du Preez has actually played his 50th Currie Cup match for the team in the 21-19 semifinal win against Western Province at Newlands, but the Blue Bulls' custom is to celebrate your half-century at Loftus Versfeld.

The trio of superstars, who have played an enormous role in the Bulls' success over the last couple of years, will lead the team onto the field Saturday.

Botha started his provincial career with the Falcons in 1999 and two years later, in 2001, he started playing for the Blue Bulls.

He made his Super Rugby as well as Springbok debut in 2002 and has since played in 63 Tests for South Africa.

He also holds the world record with his good friend Victor Matfield for most Tests as a lock combination in the starting line-up - 53.

Matfield first played for the Blue Bulls as a 20-year-old in 1998 and after representing the Griquas in 1999 and 2000 he was again contracted by the Bulls in 2001.

Matfield is a veteran of 89 Tests and he has already captained the Boks in 10 internationals.

Du Preez, who is a couple of years younger than Matfield and Botha, made his provincial debut for the Blue Bulls in 2001 and after first tasting Super Rugby in 2003 he played his first Test for South Africa in 2004. He has since starred in 52 Tests for his country.

The Blue Bulls said in a statement they would like "congratulate Bakkies, Victor and Fourie with their achievement and we would like to thank them for their colossal contribution".

"Thanks for what you have done over the years and all the best for Saturday! You are world class heroes and an inspiration to thousands of supporters."