The north-south derby for the right to play in the Currie Cup final will be on Friday, SA Rugby confirmed yesterday.
Loftus Versfeld will host coach Jake White’s Bulls, who finished top of the log, against fourth-placed Western Province in the first semifinal at 7pm, with the winner facing either one of the Sharks or Griquas who lock horns at 5pm on Saturday.
The short turnaround will not be good news for WP coach John Dobson, who has admitted in the past week that he is pushing his team to the max.
With WP having honoured all their matches in the competition, the Bulls had three ties cancelled for various reasons.
And because his team hasn’t enjoyed the same amount of “rest”, Dobson admits it will be tough in Pretoria.
After beating the Sharks 35-24 in Durban to book a place in the semis, Dobson said of what is awaiting them: “It’s going to be tough, there is some of me which wouldn’t have minded a little bit of a rest and a break.
“Obviously it’s a proud team and to go up there with the Bulls as strong as they are at the moment, it’s going to be a very tough ask – especially having put so much in this week [against the Sharks].
“We’ve seen there is pride in this team and hopefully that can pull us through [against the Bulls].”
WP, meanwhile, are sweating on the fitness of looseforwards Deon Fourie (swollen thumb) and Hacjivah Dayimani (knee), who both suffered knocks against the Sharks.