Tighthead prop WP Nel is expecting a mammoth battle up front on Saturday as the Cheetahs travel to Loftus Versfeld for their must-win matchup with the Blue Bulls? He spoke exclusively to iafrica.com's Peter Murison.

The Cheetahs enjoyed a great run of six straight Currie Cup victories up until last weekend's defeat to the Sharks but now, with just three rounds of Currie Cup action left, they face a near sudden-death clash with the Bulls in Pretoria this weekend.

Griquas, this season's surprise package, are currently in third place on the log with 38 points while the team from the Free State are stuck in fifth position on 29 - meaning quite simply that, were the Cheetahs to leave Loftus empty handed, Dawie Theron's men would need just two points from their final three matches to secure themselves a spot in the playoffs.

Knowing all of this, we spoke to the former Western Province strongman about this weekend's big challenge and the mood in the camp following the defeat at the 'Shark Tank'.

"We were disappointed [with the result against the Sharks] - we went there hoping to get at least a point or two out of the game," said Nel.

"So this weekend's game is even more important. We are just focusing on this weekend against the Bulls [and nothing else] - we just have to win.

"It's not going to be easy. Between Free State and the Bulls it is always tough so we're getting ready for a physical game on Saturday."

Still just 23 years old, Nel made the move up country from the Cape at the beginning of the season and having featured in every one of the Cheetahs' Currie Cup matches so far during the campaign, he has quickly established himself as one of the rising stars of South African rugby.

Looking back now on the past 11 games, Nel insists it was a simple change of 'mindset' which turned the Cheetahs' season around after four straight defeats.

"During the first four games we lost a lot of players and so every week we had to rebuild and try get our form back.

"We just began to believe that we could put things right and compete for the Currie Cup. We developed the mindset that said we could win and we just made the decision to go out and do it."

The powerful former Drostdy pupil has been the cornerstone of a powerful Cheetahs pack this season but says he is well aware that this week's clash with the Bulls could present one of the toughest battles of his young career.

It is though, quite clearly, a challenge this young Cheetah is looking forward to tackling head on. Every physical exchange, according to Nel, is going to be an important factor in the match and, in his opinion, the side who shades it up front on Saturday will ultimately go on to win the massive Round 12 encounter.

"I think their scrum has been strengthened [with the return of Victor Matfield and Danie Rossouw.] We'll have to work harder again this week, the battle up front is going to be a big factor so it is going to be a big challenge for our forwards.

"The one-on-one's and all the physical contact situations are going to be important. We're going to have to be switched on and I think whoever wins the forward battle will definitely end up winning the game."