Pedrie wants to be a Bok

J.J. Harmse

Pretoria – The Bulls are not getting carried away with their good position on the Super14 table and are simply concentrating on the next game against the Chiefs.

That was the assurance on Tuesday from coach Frans Ludeke ahead of Saturday’s match at Loftus Versfeld.

“We have succeeded this year in concentrating only on the next game and focusing on the aspects we can improve, rather than keep our eye on the log. Last year we were under pressure when we returned from overseas. That got the better of us, even when we started playing at Loftus again,” said Ludeke.

“Everybody knows what the log looks like and what can still happen. We can still drop and therefore won’t be looking further than the Chiefs.

“We see a team at the top of the log, that is dangerous from broken play and maintaining good form. That is what we will concentrate on.”

Pedrie Wannenburg, who will be playing his 93rd consecutive game for the Bulls on Saturday, believes big things lie ahead.

“We are in a position to make this season a remarkable one. I’d like to throw my hat in the ring to play against the British and Irish Lions, but from a team perspective we’d like to win the Super14,” said Wannenburg.

Captain Victor Matfield will be playing his 90th game in Super rugby, Danie Rossouw in his 84th, Fourie du Preez in his 81st and JP Nel in his 75th.

That kind of experience makes things easier, but there still has to be a faith that the team is on the right track.

“If you saw how disappointed the guys were after the losses to the Brumbies and Crusaders, it would have told you a lot,” said Wannenburg.

“We lost, but the fact that we could just as well have won, has created a positive energy.”