Blue machine rolls into Durban

Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has stuck with the identical 22 that outclassed the Cheetahs last weekend for the clash with the Sharks in Durban on Friday.

Ludeke explained that the team selection this week was straight forward off the back of a big win and with no injury concerns.

"Everyone is fit and ready to go. They showed against the Cheetahs that they are up to the task and are on form," he said.

"Momentum is a very important factor at this stage of the competition and it is something we have now."

Ludeke is preparing his chargers from a massive onslaught from the Sharks who, like the Bulls, are involved in the tight battle for a place in the playoffs.

"We will have to be able to answer some tough questions out there on Friday," Ludeke said.

"I would like to believe that our team thrive on challenges and the bigger they are, the better we respond. This is why the guys put in the hours and hours of hard work after all. They want to be out there when the challenge is at its biggest and toughest.

"We prepared well and everyone is very keen to do well. We still have our destiny in our own hands and want to keep it like that."

Bulls captain Pierre Spies has called on his team to produce 80 minutes of top quality rugby after letting the Cheetahs score four tries inside the final 20 minutes last weekend.

"There are numerous game breakers in their (the Sharks) side and they do play in front of passionate supporters," Spies said.

"We have been able to achieve important results there in the past though and the feeling in the camp is that we can do it again.

"We cannot repeat what happened in the last 20 minutes against the Cheetahs. To beat the Sharks in Durban you not only need 80 minutes of effort, but a special 80 minutes to that."

The match will also mark 50th Super Rugby appearances for hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle and lock Wilhelm Steenkamp.

Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Mornè Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies (captain), 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 Dewald Potgieter, 5 Juandrè Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Dean Greyling.

Replacements: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 CJ Stander, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Louis Fouchè, 22 Francois Venter.

Date: Friday, July 6

Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)

Venue: Kings Park, Durban

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Marius Jonker (South Africa), Tiaan Jonker (South Africa)

TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)