The Vodacom Blue Bulls are going to face the Free State Cheetahs on Saturday at 17:00 at Loftus Versfeld and semifinals are all about managing the immense pressure of the occasion.

The Bulls believe you need five things to win a semifinal: Firstly you need to handle and embrace the pressure that surrounds a play-off match but you also need to apply a lot of pressure on the opponents.

Secondly the Bulls are adamant to dominate the territory battle by means of the boot of Fourie du Preez, Morné Steyn and Zane Kirchner.

Thirdly they know that defence wins games like these and in the fourth place they would like to convert every single opportunity into points. Finally they believe that their goal kicking needs to be above 80 percent in order to play in the final in two week's time.

The Blue Bulls' captain Victor Matfield said at the weekly press conference that they live for matches like these because they train all year round in order to contest in semifinals and finals.

"This is the best part of the season because all the hard work is done and nothing beats winning a trophy."

The vice-captain Fourie du Preez added that because of the difficult Super 14 he is extremely motivated to see the Bulls succeeding in the Currie Cup.

"We last won the Currie Cup outright in 2004 and there is a huge hunger within the team to bring the Cup back to Loftus. We will never underestimate the Cheetahs and we all know that the score is 0-0 when we run out onto the field. We will just focus on our own game and concentrate on what we need to do."

For coach Frans Ludeke it is all about the quality of execution on the field and he was very glad that he had his full squad available for training after they rested a number of players against the Valke.

"Our timing of resting the players was perfect because they came back fresh and enthusiastic from their break. The players know how to handle a semifinal week and all our focus will be on upholding standards of excellence on the field."

THE CHEETAHS AND SEMIFINALS

It is worth mentioning that the Free State Cheetahs do have the temperament to perform in the semifinals as their record over the last three years clearly shows. Last year they denied the Bulls a place in the final thanks to their 11-6 victory and in 2006 and 2005 they outplayed the Sharks and WP respectively to advance through to the final of the Currie Cup.

2007: Free State Cheetahs beat Blue Bulls 11-6 (Bloemfontein)
2006: Free State Cheetahs beat the Sharks 30-14 (Bloemfontein)
2005: Free State Cheetahs beat WP 16-11 (Cape Town)

RECENT RESULTS

The Blue Bulls have already beaten the Cheetahs twice this year and in the Super 14 the Bulls walloped Naka Drotske's team 60-20.

However, the Cheetahs managed to record three significant victories in 2007 but between 2004 and 2006 the Bulls won six of their eight matches.

2008

Blue Bulls won 31-23 (Pretoria)
Blue Bulls won 23-5 (Bloemfontein)

2007

Cheetahs won 44-18 (Bloemfontein)
Cheetahs won 29-17 (Pretoria)
Currie Cup semi-final: Cheetahs won 11-6 (Bloemfontein)

2006

Blue Bulls won 24-12 (Bloemfontein)
Blue Bulls won 41-31 (Pretoria)
Currie Cup final: Blue Bulls 28 Cheetahs 28 (Bloemfontein)

2005

Blue Bulls won 26-22 (Bloemfontein)
Blue Bulls won 26-16 (Pretoria)
Currie Cup final: Blue Bulls 25 Cheetahs 29 (Pretoria)

2004

Blue Bulls won 51-24 (Bloemfontein)
Blue Bulls won 36-19 (Pretoria)

WHAT THE MEDIA SAID

"It is showtime. And time for Bryan Habana to play lead guitar, Fourie du Preez to determine the beat of the game and our fat lady (Rayno Gerber?) to sing. Conducted by Victor Matfield. Those are the four key players in this game for me, as the Blue Bulls look to clinch a finals spot again.

"Habana will need to show some glimpses of his best form and only one moment of magic will be enough. Du Preez will have his A-game on the weekend, but will need good chasing by his team when he probes the Cheetahs defence with those clever kicks and Gerber need to stay away from penalties and providing the right shoulder when needed. Matfield will have to make the right calls at the right time and get Deon Stegman to play the ball and not old school pal Heinrich Brussöw!

"I believe they will all contribute to a comfortable win. Bulls to win by around 13-15 points." – JJ Harmse (Rapport)

"In play-off games pressure is the name of the game. There is no room for mistakes. The team that handles pressure best will be able to create opportunities to score. On the other hand, it is also about putting your opponents under enough pressure to force them to make mistakes.

"Defence was one of the Blue Bulls' best weapons this year. If they can defend like they did in Bloemfontein last month and if the tactical kicking of Fourie du Preez, Morné Steyn and Zane Kirchner is on par, the Blue Bulls should be back in the Currie Cup final in two weeks time. Du Preez and Steyn will have to keep the ball in front of their forwards and make sure the game is played in their opponents half.

"The most dangerous aspect of the game the Cheetahs play is the ability of their loose forwards to get quick turnover ball in the loose. Quick ball from broken play will enable them to spread the ball wide on the counter attack and this will bring their speedy backs in play. They are one of the most dangerous teams when they are running from broken play. Wikus van Heerden and Deon Stegmann will therefore have a big responsibility to tame their direct opponents." – Koos Venter (Rekord)

"It all points to a game of dominance by the Blue Bulls - they have the experience, skill and pace. However, how they utilise that advantage is what will determine the outcome. We feel the Bulls are just too mature for the Cheetahs. The Bulls by 10 points." – Jan de Koning on rugby365.co.za

"The Blue Bulls hunger and ability to beat the Free State Cheetahs in the semi-final tomorrow and go on and win the competition has been questioned from all quarters this week. And in response, captain Victor Matfield and coach Frans Ludeke have been at pain trying to convince their faithful supporters and the rugby public of their determination to become Currie Cup champions for a record 19th time.

"Clouding and bringing question to the Bulls quest for glory is the fact that within their ranks they have a few men who have sipped from the trophy donated by Sir Donald Curry over a century ago namely Matfield, Gurthro Steenkamp, Danie Rossouw, Fourie du Preez, Morne Steyn, John Mametsa, Heini Adams and Wynand Olivier.

"Add to that the fact that within the Bulls ranks are a handful of men that have tasted glory at the highest level winning the Super 14 and World Cup in the same year including Bryan Habana who was named World Player of the Year and the case of the seeds of doubt about the hunger of the Bulls are strengthened." – Vata Ngobeni (Pretoria News)

ANALYZING THE OPPONENTS

We are now going to take a quick look at the individuals who are going to play against the Blue Bulls. The Bulls tend to focus on their own game but for us as supporters it makes the match so much more interesting when you know what to expect from the enemy.

15 Bevin Fortuin: He is safe under the high ball and is able to kick the ball quite far, but he is not renowned for his counter attacking abilities. He joined the Cheetahs in 2005 after he played for the SWD Eagles from 2000-2005.

14 JW Jonker: Jonker is good with the ball in hand and is currently in his third season with the Cheetahs. He is a product of Grey Kollege and played for the SA Students team in 2007. He is a solid player, but doesn't have the pace of a Habana or Nokwe.

13 Robert Ebersohn: Ebersohn is a Springbok in the making and has everything to excel at senior level if he is managed correctly. But whether he should be playing Currie Cup rugby is another question. We tend to push talented youngsters too soon and that just leads to injury.

12 Meyer Bosman: Bosman is one of the most underrated midfielders in the country. His ball carrying abilities is excellent and he always gets over the advantage line. He has played in two tests for South Africa and runs great lines. He has represented South Africa in three tests and played for the Cheetahs since 2005. Bosman scored the try in 2005's final to clinch the victory for the Cheetahs.

11 Jongi Nokwe: Speed, speed and more speed. Nokwe made his provincial debut for Boland in 2003 and was first selected for the Springboks in 2004 (although he did not play in any matches back then). He has played Super Rugby for the Stormers as well as the Cheetahs and is also a 7's Bok.

10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter: Potgieter's game is going to have a massive influence on the outcome of tomorrow's semifinal. There is a possibility that he is going to try too much on his own but the semifinal will be a good test of his big match temperament. He is a good (although not excellent) tactical kicker and a solid defender with good effective distribution skills.

9 Tewis de Bruyn: He is quite an experienced scrumhalf who has played for the Leopards (2002-2003) and SWD Eagles (2004-2006) before he joined the Cheetahs in 2007. He is not a major threat around the rucks and he is not renowned for his tactical kicking and that is going to put extra pressure on Potgieter.

8 Duane Vermeulen: He has everything to be a Springbok. He is a superb carrier of the ball and his anticipation is very good. He is only 22 but has already played in more than 60 first class matches. His ball carrying abilities is in the same class as a Pierre Spies or Ryan Kankowski.

7 Juan Smith (captain): Smith has a World Cup medal and has already played in more than 50 tests for South Africa, He is regarded by Victor Matfield as the Cheetahs' best player and will carry the ball on numerous occasions. He doesn't do a lot of cleaning at the rucks but is primarily used as the "second runner" from scrums.

6 Heinrich Brussöw: He is brilliant on the ground and is going to try to slow down the Bulls' possession at the rucks. He is a real menace at the loose and one of the most influential players in this year's Currie Cup.

5 Barend Pieterse: Barend is brilliant in the lineouts – both on attack and defence. The pressure he puts from kicks is worth mentioning and his defence around the rucks is outstanding. He is an outstanding Currie Cup player.

4 David de Villiers: He has certainly grown in statue during the last couple of months and is one of the Free State's main ball carriers. He normally wins his ball at number two in the lineout.

3 Kobus Calldo: He played for the Blue Bulls in 2003 and is a very competent tighthead. He gets his shoulders in the set scrums and Gurthrö Steenkamp is going to have his work cut out against Callldo.

2 Adriaan Strauss: The former Blue Bulls hooker matriculated at Grey Kollege in 2003 before he joined the Bulls in 2004. He is a special rugby player with great basics – his scrumming is superb and his throw-ins at the lineouts are spot on. His defence is very good and he is going to be one of the real danger men on Saturday.

1 Wian du Preez: Du Preez is unlucky that he hasn't played a lot of tests for South Africa yet. His power in the scrums has the respect of all the tightheads in the competition and he is also a very effective ball carrier. The Bulls have a very high regard for Du Preez.

THE TEAMS

Vodacom Blue Bulls: Zane Kirchner; John Mametsa, Marius Delport, Wynand Olivier, Bryan Habana; Morné Steyn, Fourie du Preez; Pierre Spies, Wikus van Heerden, Deon Stegmann, Victor Matfield (captain), Danie Rossouw, Rayno Gerber, Derick Kuün, Gurthrö Steenkamp. Reserves: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Werner Kruger, Juandré Kruger, Dewald Potgieter, Heini Adams, Burton Francis, Tiger Mangweni.

Vodacom Free State Cheetahs: Bevin Fortuin; JW Jonker, Robert Ebersohn, Meyer Bosman, Jongi Nokwe; Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Tewis de Bruyn; Duane Vermeulen, Juan Smith (captain), Heinrich Brüssow, Barend Pieterse, David de Villiers, Kobus Calldo, Adriaan Strauss, Wian du Preez. Reserves: Richardt Strauss, Coenie Oosthuizen, Nico Breedt, Hendro Scholtz, Jandré Blom, Hennie Daniller, Kabamba Floors.

Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Kick-off: 17.00 (Saturday 11 October 2008)

Referee: Craig Joubert

Touch judges: Deon van Blommestein, Joey Salmans

TMO: Shaun Veldsman