Pieter Willem Gabriel Rossouw had a celebrated career as a player, which included 40-odd Springbok caps, a Tri-Nations crown and a record-equalling 17 consecutive Test victories.

However, this product of Cape Town, affectionately knows as Slaptjips, had to move to Pretoria before he could make his first appearance in a Super Rugby Final.

Rossouw, now the backline coach of the Bulls, does not regret one moment of his 10 years of Super Rugby with the Stormers - which included two semifinal appearances.

But now even his 'blood' is a lighter shade of blue.

When the Bulls host the Chiefs in the 2009 Super 14 Final, Rossouw will be a key cog in the Blue Machine that steamrolled their way to the top of the standings and into the Final - by outplaying the seven-time champion Crusaders (36-23) last week.

He readily admits that not reaching a Super Final as a player is something that has been in the back of his mind.

"In that period [at the Stormers] we had some really great teams," Rossouw told iafrica.com, as he took a break from preparations with the Bulls for their second appearance in a Final.

"There are so many things that can go wrong in a season," Rossouw said, adding: "That's why, for me as a coach, it is a great pleasure and satisfaction to reach the Final.

"It is just great to be part of a team that has reached a Final," he said, in reference to the Stormers' appearance in two semifinals - 1999 and 2004, having lost to the Highlanders at Newlands in '99 after the now infamous player strike on the eve of the game and in 2004 lost to the Crusaders.

But those games are now a distant memory for the coach credited with having taken a talented bunch of Bulls backs and turned them into a very effective attacking unit.

Rossouw, turning his attention to the Final, said their focus were always to get a home Final.

"When playing at home in a Final your chances are just so much better than when you have to travel to Australasia," the Bulls backs coach told this website, adding: "So now that we have home ground advantage, hopefully we use this opportunity."

Rossouw said that "ball control and possession" are always very important aspects of the game in a Final.

"Also, turnover ball is vital, you simply can't afford to give them any ball to counter with," he said of a Chiefs team that has proved to be one of the most devastating attacking forces in this year's competition.

"Then, in a Final, you only get one or two opportunities to score and you have to use them, you simply have to finish off those chances.

"You have to be mentally switched on for those opportunities, because it is always a tight game in the Final, more so than any other game and any opportunity has to be used."