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Cape Town - Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse says the Blue Bulls' physicality will be too much for Western Province to handle in their Currie Cup semi-final at Newlands on Saturday.
VIDEO: Enticing north v south derby awaits
WP finished on top of the Currie Cup log and beat the Bulls on both occasions in the regular season.
But the men from Pretoria have gained momentum after a slow start and seem to be peaking at just the right time of the season.
Stonehouse, whose Pumas side finished in a credible sixth position on the log, says the log-leaders may find the going tough despite playing at home.
In an interview with SA Rugbymag, Stonehouse acknowledges that WP are the most dangerous team in the competition from broken play. He singles out Cheslin Kolbe, Seabelo Senatla and Juan de Jongh as players who can decide the outcome of a match with a single moment of individual brilliance.
However, Stonehouse says the Bulls "live for" these playoff matches and feels their physicality will also be too much to handle for WP.
Stonehouse says he cannot see WP containing the likes of Dean Greyling (prop), Grant Hattingh (lock), Paul Willemse (lock) and Handré Pollard (flyhalf/centre) and predicts a four-point victory for the Bulls.
Earlier in the season, WP beat the Bulls 41-17 at Newlands and also won the return leg at Loftus Versfeld 23-18, before the Bulls season gained momentum.
Kick-off for Saturday's clash at Newlands is scheduled for 17:00.
VIDEO: Enticing north v south derby awaits
WP finished on top of the Currie Cup log and beat the Bulls on both occasions in the regular season.
But the men from Pretoria have gained momentum after a slow start and seem to be peaking at just the right time of the season.
Stonehouse, whose Pumas side finished in a credible sixth position on the log, says the log-leaders may find the going tough despite playing at home.
In an interview with SA Rugbymag, Stonehouse acknowledges that WP are the most dangerous team in the competition from broken play. He singles out Cheslin Kolbe, Seabelo Senatla and Juan de Jongh as players who can decide the outcome of a match with a single moment of individual brilliance.
However, Stonehouse says the Bulls "live for" these playoff matches and feels their physicality will also be too much to handle for WP.
Stonehouse says he cannot see WP containing the likes of Dean Greyling (prop), Grant Hattingh (lock), Paul Willemse (lock) and Handré Pollard (flyhalf/centre) and predicts a four-point victory for the Bulls.
Earlier in the season, WP beat the Bulls 41-17 at Newlands and also won the return leg at Loftus Versfeld 23-18, before the Bulls season gained momentum.
Kick-off for Saturday's clash at Newlands is scheduled for 17:00.
