Bulls keep their winning recipe

Blue Bulls coach Pine Pienaar made no changes to the side that beat the Golden Lions last week, for their Currie Cup semifinal clash against the Sharks in Durban.

It is the first time this season that Pienaar could name the same 22 on consecutive weekends and the coach feels that this could help them carry some momentum into Saturday's showdown.

"Nothing that happened during the normal part of the competition will matter on Saturday," Pienaar said.

"This will be about 80 minutes and who executes best. It is nice to know that we have some momentum with us, following the return of our Springboks and the way they came into the team," Pienaar added.

"We finished well last weekend and will be looking to continue with that. We will have to start well, as the Sharks have proved many times that they know how to close out games when leading on the scoreboard."

Bulls captain Dewald Potgieter pointed to the fact that at least half of the squad has won the Currie Cup in their careers.

"We know what a special effort will be needed to go all the way," Potgieter said.

"We have been with our back against the walls for long spells this season, but responded every time, which is typical of the characters you find in this squad.

"They won't quit and that will be the mind-set again this weekend against a team that is well respected, but not unbeatable."

Blue Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 Dewald Potgieter (captain), 5 Juandrè Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Morné Mellett.

Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 CJ Stander, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Louis Fouché, 22 Dean Greyling.

Date: Saturday, October 20

Venue: Kings Park, Durban

Kick-off: 16.30 (14.30 GMT)

Referee: Mark Lawrence

Assistant referees: Jason Jaftha, Christie du Preez

TMO: Shaun Veldsman