The table-topping Bulls are confident that they will be able to sidestep any complacency pitfalls as they head to the student city of Palmerston North for their Super 14 encounter with the Highlanders on Saturday.

On a five-match unbeaten run (it is nine matches if the last four games of 2008 are taken into consideration), the Bulls will be aiming for their first-ever back-to-back wins on New Zealand soil — having started their Australasian road trip with an impressive triumph over the Hurricanes last week.

Having started the season as rank outsiders — they were on offer at 40-1 by bookmakers before Round One - the Bulls have been elevated to second favourites (behind compatriots the Sharks) at the much shorter odds of 4-1.

The Highlanders, in contrast, have slipped to 12th spot on the bookies' list and are on offer at an outrageous 250-1.

Despite the odds favouring them, the Bulls are approaching the game in the same manner that has helped them overcome more esteemed opposition — such as the Hurricanes, Blues and Stormers.

The Bulls' Springbok number eight Pierre Spies, speaking to iafrica.com from the team's base in New Zealand, admitted that there is always a danger of a team "easing up" — especially after starting a tour as they did, with a win over one of the fancied Kiwi sides.

"Yes, there is always a possibility [of complacency]," Spies said, adding: "But we work hard and focus every week to avoid those pitfalls.

"We know what awaits us [in Palmerston North] and we know we have to focus on the job at hand, because we are determined to be successful again this weekend."

Spies said, despite the Highlanders not having beaten the Bulls since 2005, they expect them to be competitive and physical.

"Like any New Zealand team, they are very good at their set-piece play," the Bulls number eight said.

"Their scrums and line-outs are outstanding and it will be a tough, physical battle."

The 23-year-old Spies, who made his Super Rugby debut against the Highlanders in 2005, gave credit to his teammates for his improved form this year.

After a disappointing 2008, following the health problems that ruled him out of the 2007 World Cup, Spies this year is showing the form that has elevated him back into the ranks as one of South Africa's premier loose forwards.

And while he is "satisfied" with his game, he attributes it to the improved form of the Bulls - who also had a poor 2008.

"It does make things a lot easier when the team is playing well," Spies told this website.

"It is certainly a plus when you play in a team that performs and compared to last year it is going swimmingly [with the Bulls].

"I am still young and with time comes experience, which will help me to improve even more. But at the moment I'm grateful for the opportunities I get and want to build on the platform that has been laid this year," he added.

Spies, who has 30-odd Super Rugby caps to go with his 19 Tests, felt that there are always something to work on in his game.

"For me it is to focus on being more effective when carrying the ball up and also my work behind the scrum, but those are mostly small things that I need to work on," he said.

365