The Currie Cup competition is at its most competitive in years, a situation that is likely to benefit South African rugby on both the domestic and international stage.

This is the view of the Blue Bulls' Springbok utility forward Danie Rossouw, one of a host of the all-conquering Boks who have returned to the domestic scene in the last fortnight.

Speaking to iafrica.com during a break in preparations for the Bulls' crucial encounter with the competition's surprise package, Griquas, in Pretoria on Saturday, Rossouw said he is relishing the opportunity to play in a tournament that is heading down to the wire.

In the last few years two or three teams dominated the local scene and clear-cut favourites had emerged well ahead of the play-offs.

This year, with just two weeks of league action remaining, six teams are still in the running for play-off places. And, according to Rossouw, four or five of those have a realistic chance of winning the Currie Cup this year.

"Yes, the Sharks and WP [the two top teams on the standings] are looking good," he said of the only two teams that have already booked their places in the play-offs.

"But it is great for South African rugby that so many teams are doing well this year - it is great that one or two teams are not dominating, that there are six teams in the running and so many teams doing so well.

"Any of those teams can still win the competition and that is enjoyable [to play in the competition] and great for South African rugby. It will benefit us down the line.

"It also adds to the excitement of it all when you play in such a tough competition," Rossouw told this website.

The Bulls, who haven't won the country's premier domestic trophy outright in five years (they shared it with the Free State Cheetahs in 2006), were hovering outside the top four before their Boks returned last week.

A win over the Cheetahs saw them move into fourth place and a win over Griquas at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday will further cement a top four place.

However, the Bulls - who have done the come-from-behind dance a number of time in the past few years - know that the 'one-game-at-time' theme is more than just a cliched saying.

It is indeed how they get through the tough times.

"We have done it before, but it remains a challenge," Rossouw said about the Bulls having to come from behind and most likely to travel away in the semifinals.

"However, at the moment our only focus is on Griquas this weekend. This is the game we want to win."

He said their ability to focus on the next game and ignore the sideshows is something that comes from a quality coaching set-up.

"From the start of the week they make sure you don't think about other games or any permutations.

"Our focus is on getting five points against Griquas and nothing else," Rossouw added.

While the Bulls, with most of their Boks back, would be fancied against Griquas in Pretoria, Rossouw has cautioned against underestimating Griquas.

The men from Kimberley are on their best run in the Currie in more than a decade, certainly their best showing since they featured in the semifinals in 1998.

"As I said, there are several very good teams in the Currie Cup this year and Griquas is truly a great team.

"The big difference for them this year is that they have won away games - they have broken that mental barrier [of winning away] and that has been a big breakthrough.

"It is going to be a very tough game and we are looking forward to tackling them."

Rossouw said the transitions for the Bulls' Boks from the Tri-Nations to Currie Cup rugby has been relatively smooth because so many of them have been in the Bulls' systems for years.

"I haven't played a full game in a long time and last week was my first full game for some time, but players like Victor [Matfield] have played a lot of rugby," Rossouw told this wesbite.

"I have that extra desire, not that they are not keen, but I just haven't had that much game time and I am desperately keen to play some rugby.

"I was a touch rusty last weekend, but every weekend it gets better and it is just great to come back to your province.

"We know all the systems and patterns, so from that point the return is easier.

"There are many players [at the Bulls] who have been here for years and that certainly helps to smooth over the return from the international stage," he added.

Rossouw confirmed that he, like a number of other leading Springboks, are planning to be around till at least the next World Cup - in New Zealand in 2011.

"I am 31, but the body is holding up fine," he said.

"I have sat a lot on the bench throughout my career, so that has certainly helped to extend my career.

"I have a contract till 2011 at the Bulls. Hopefully I can play in the next World Cup and then we'll take it from there, look at what options are available."

Bio:
Full name: Daniel Jacobus
Surname: Rossouw
Height: 198cm
Weight: 119kg
Birth date: 5 June 1978
Birth city: Sabie
Primary school: White River Primary
Secondary school: Rob Ferreira High
Positions: Flank, No.8 and lock
Club: University of Pretoria RFC
Province: Blue Bulls (since 2003)
Springbok number: 755
Test debut: 11 October 2003 v Uruguay in Perth, aged 25
Last Test: 12 September 2009 v New Zealand in Hamilton, aged 31
Total Tests: 43
Tour matches: Two
Total Springbok matches: 45
Tours: RWC in Australia, 2003; British Isles, Ireland & Argentina, 2004; Argentina, Wales & France, 2005; Ireland & England, 2006; Ireland & Scotland, 2007; RWC in France, Wales & Scotland, 2007; British Isles, 2008.

Squads: South Africa (2003 to 2009), South Africa (British & Irish Lions Tour - 2009), Bulls (Super Rugby 2002 to 2009), Blue Bulls (Currie Cup - 2000 to 2009), Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup - 2000 to 2003), Blue Bulls Under-21 (1999).