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Stephen Nell
Cape Town - The Blue Bulls' love for shopping in Western Province's back yard may produce a very interesting centre showdown in Saturday's Currie Cup match at Newlands.
It's then that Johann Sadie and Stephan Dippenaar will square off against one another in midfield. Both centres came through WP's structures before signing for the Bulls.
Dippenaar made the move at the end of 2007 along with Francois Hougaard.
Sadie and WP colleague JJ Engelbrecht will report for duty at Loftus Versfeld on 1 November this year.
Province coach Allister Coetzee confirmed on Monday that both Sadie and Engelbrecht would be considered for selection against their future employer. Both played well for WP in Friday night's match against the Leopards.
"We want to select the strongest possible side," said Coetzee.
"My agreement with the players is for them to do their job to the best of their ability. I won't tolerate the focus being elsewhere. I treat them like any other player - if they don't perform, they will be dropped.
"I have to say that they are playing well. It will be a big test for both because I don't expect the Bulls players to be friendly and just invite line breaks on account of them being future team-mates."
The duel between Sadie and Dippenaar will effectively be Bulls trials.
Dippenaar had a good game in the weekend's 33-30 win over Free State at Loftus Versfeld, but will probably not sleep easily about his union's decision to pay big money to contract Sadie.
"There is going to be an edge in the game," said Coetzee.
"It's North against South and very big. The players must prepare themselves for a physical and aerial onslaught. They have to be mentally and physically ready for the challenge."
Coetzee is satisfied that his team is on the right track after Friday's win.
"We have to make fewer errors. We conceded 26 turnovers against Griquas and brought the figure down to 15 against the Leopards.
The improvement is positive, but there were still opportunities we didn't take. The five tries also point to an improvement."
Province should nevertheless expect the Bulls to ask tougher questions of their abilities than the Leopards. Even with their Springbok stars on national duty, the Bulls managed to claw their way back from 3-17 down to beat the Cheetahs.
Cape Town - The Blue Bulls' love for shopping in Western Province's back yard may produce a very interesting centre showdown in Saturday's Currie Cup match at Newlands.
It's then that Johann Sadie and Stephan Dippenaar will square off against one another in midfield. Both centres came through WP's structures before signing for the Bulls.
Dippenaar made the move at the end of 2007 along with Francois Hougaard.
Sadie and WP colleague JJ Engelbrecht will report for duty at Loftus Versfeld on 1 November this year.
Province coach Allister Coetzee confirmed on Monday that both Sadie and Engelbrecht would be considered for selection against their future employer. Both played well for WP in Friday night's match against the Leopards.
"We want to select the strongest possible side," said Coetzee.
"My agreement with the players is for them to do their job to the best of their ability. I won't tolerate the focus being elsewhere. I treat them like any other player - if they don't perform, they will be dropped.
"I have to say that they are playing well. It will be a big test for both because I don't expect the Bulls players to be friendly and just invite line breaks on account of them being future team-mates."
The duel between Sadie and Dippenaar will effectively be Bulls trials.
Dippenaar had a good game in the weekend's 33-30 win over Free State at Loftus Versfeld, but will probably not sleep easily about his union's decision to pay big money to contract Sadie.
"There is going to be an edge in the game," said Coetzee.
"It's North against South and very big. The players must prepare themselves for a physical and aerial onslaught. They have to be mentally and physically ready for the challenge."
Coetzee is satisfied that his team is on the right track after Friday's win.
"We have to make fewer errors. We conceded 26 turnovers against Griquas and brought the figure down to 15 against the Leopards.
The improvement is positive, but there were still opportunities we didn't take. The five tries also point to an improvement."
Province should nevertheless expect the Bulls to ask tougher questions of their abilities than the Leopards. Even with their Springbok stars on national duty, the Bulls managed to claw their way back from 3-17 down to beat the Cheetahs.
