They have already lost five games this season - the same number they lost last year; before sneaking into the play-offs, beating Western Province (away) in the semifinal and going on to win the tournament.

The men from Pretoria are well aware that they can't afford another slip, as the road to the play-offs are paved with peril.

Bulls coach Frans Ludeke said this week his players realise the importance of this match. "A win could move us back into the top three," Ludeke told a media gathering in Pretoria. "It will be very though, as the Lions certainly have their tails up after five consecutive wins."

He was supported in this view by his captain, Derick Kuün, who admitted that his team was at a 'crossroads' and that they are well aware of what needs to be done.

The determination factor comes from the resurgent Lions, who are one place (in fourth spot) and one point ahead of the Bulls on the Currie Cup standings.

Lions forward coach Johan Ackermann said not just this Saturday, but the next three weeks, will be a huge test for the men from Johannesburg - if they hope to extend their victory run, currently standing at five matches.

"Yes, the next three weeks will be an exceptionally big test for the guys, as all the teams we are facing have Super Rugby experience," Ackermann told rugby365.com.

The Lions' road to the play-offs do to seem to be attended by tougher obstacles - the Blue Bulls, in Pretoria; the Sharks, in Johannesburg; the Cheetahs, in Bloemfontein and finally the Pumas, in Witbank.

The Bulls face the Lions (in Pretoria), the Leopards (in Potchefstroom), Western Province (in Pretoria) and Griquas (in Kimberley).

However, the Lions are determined not to let their revival - after a winless Super 14 season - fall flat at Loftus Versfeld.

"There is a lot of hard work that await and the guys are well aware of the toughness of the task at hand," Ackermann said.

Ackermann said that while the confidence in the Lions camp is high, they will not let their guard down against arguably South Africa's most successful team of the modern era.

"The players have a good structure and a good framework to play within," Ackermann told rugby365.com, adding: "We tweak it [the game plan] as we feel it needs to be from week to week, but I must give the players credit for the hard work they put in within that structure.

"This [winning on Saturday] is not something that will happen if individuals do well, it must be a team effort."

The Lions forwards coach admitted that the derby factor will ensure the game has an added physical edge.

"Right across the country, even at schools level, when you have these local games they are really tough and Saturday will be no different," said Ackermann, who in his playing days featured in both the Blue Bulls and Lions teams.

Ludeke also spoke of the physical nature of these derbies.

"I am happy that we focused on the right areas during our preparation this week," the Bulls mentor said, adding: "We will be looking to dominate the collisions on the weekend."

Recent results:
2007: Blue Bulls won 25-11, Pretoria
2007: Lions won 27-22, Johannesburg
2008: Blue Bulls won 21-7, Johannesburg
2008: Lions won 30-27, Pretoria
2009: Blue Bulls won 19-13, Pretoria
2009: Lions won 20-13, Johannesburg
2010: Blue Bulls won 32-18, Johannesburg

rugby365.com Prediction: The Blue Bulls have not looked like a championship side this year, with a lack of consistency probably their biggest downfall. The Lions, however, have bounced back magnificently from a poor start (four defeats in their first five matches) to move into the top four on the standings.

The Bulls will look to replicate the form they showed in beating the Sharks at Loftus recently. While the Lions need no reminding that their best performances came in victories over the Free State Cheetahs and Western Province. To say it will be brutal is stating the obvious. It will be worth every cent of the entry fee, as two giants of the South African game slug it out. To call a winner is tough, but we feel the Lions' youthful exuberance may get the better of them and the Bulls will win a gruelling arm wrestle - by less than 10 points.

Teams:

Vodacom Blue Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Stefan Watermeyer, 11 Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Gerrit-Jan van Velze, 7 CJ Stander, 6 Derick Kuün (captain), 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Dean Greyling. Replacements: 16 Gary Botha, 17 Rossouw de Klerk, 18 Jaco Engels, 19 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 20 Okkie Kruger, 21 Dustin Jinka, 22 Stephan Dippenaar.

Lions: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Jannie Boshoff, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Josh Strauss, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Franco van der Merwe (captain), 4 George Earle, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Martin Bezuidenhout, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg. Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Wayne Swart, 18 Johan Snyman, 19 Wikus van Heerden, 20 JP Joubert, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Marius Delport.

Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert
Assistant referees: François Groenewald, Attie Buitendag
TMO: Shaun Veldsman