Last-hurrah for Bulls stars?

While they have not mentioned it, and you would struggle to find any of their top players talking about it, the fact remains that when the Sharks travel to Loftus Versfeld to take on the Bulls, the home side could have their last glimpse of a number of stars who have served the cause so well over the past decade.

It could become an emotional farewell for several top Springboks as they desperately fight to secure a spot in the playoff rounds, and keep their chances alive of defending their Super Rugby title.

Several of the team's top names are either retiring or moving on after the World Cup and even if the Bulls have a good run in the playoffs to secure their title, the chances are they will have to achieve this feat away from home, as it is unlikely they will be able to secure home ground advantage for the rest of the competition.

Add to that the fact the Springboks do not play at Loftus Versfeld this year and many players will be leaving after the World Cup and this Saturday could be the last opportunity to see these Springboks on the Loftus turf. The Boks will also have no part in the Currie Cup this year because of the World Cup commitments.

This means this weekend could well be the final swansong for many of them in Pretoria, as they will have to carry the flag on foreign fields in order to win a fourth Super Rugby title in five years.

Captain Victor Matfield is retiring at the end of the season while Bakkies Botha, who is likely to run on for his 100th cap this weekend, will make a very lucrative move to the French club of Toulon.

Springboks Fourie du Preez and Danie Rossouw will be moving to Japan, while SA Rugby Player of the year Gurthro Steenkamp, who is currently injured, has signed for Toulouse in France and is likely to be joined by hooker Gary Botha.

You only have to consider the number of appearances for both the Bulls and Boks to realise how much a part of the Loftus Versfeld tapestry these players have played over the past decade. From the dynasty built under Heyneke Meyer, to the continued success of Frans Ludeke they have won every trophy on offer and played a major part in the Springboks' victory in France in 2007.

Matfield and Rossouw have both broken the Bulls career appearance records this season, and will run on for their 116th cap on Saturday. Considering Matfield also has 105 Tests under his belt and Rossouw 54, it shows the deep roots these two have in South African rugby.

Ditto for Du Preez, with 111 Super Rugby appearances and 55 Test caps is the general for both the Bulls and Bok teams in marshalling their attack.

Both has 86 Super Rugby caps and 12 Springbok caps while his namesake Bakkies has 73 Test appearances to go with his Super Rugby centenary. Steenkamp has 31 Tests behind his name and 70 Super Rugby appearances.

There is an outside chance that if certain games go their way the Bulls may have the odd playoff game at home, but at this stage it is unlikely.

There may even be an outside chance to see these stars at Loftus in their Springbok jerseys if the proposed end of season matches against the Maori team comes off - the game being touted as a farewell to the "blood brothers" Matfield and Botha, but with no official confirmation of the game yet, those who miss out this weekend at Loftus may miss their last chance to see these legends play at home.