The Bulls would have to be the bookies favourites going into the 2010 Super 14. After winning the 2009 competition, as well as South Africa’s domestic competition, the Absa Currie Cup, the Bulls look to be riding the crest of their success into this year.

They have within their ranks, possibly, the greatest player depth out of any of the other union contending for the title. Not only that, but they also have, at their disposal, thousands of rugby crazy fans, whose blood runs blue, to pack out their fortress of altitude, Loftus, week in and week out.

The Bulls may have lost the services of Bryan Habana to the Stormers, but rising star, Gerhard van den Heever is no slouch on the park. He is just one of numerous “young guns” within the Bulls ranks, that coupled with the mentoring of experienced players like Fourie du Preez and captain, Victor Matfield , is a recipe for success

Players to watch:

• Fourie du Preez should have won the IRB player of the year award. He is quite simply, the best rugby player on the planet.
• Victor Matfield is the undisputed king of the lineouts, his partnership with Bakkies Botha is the best second row combination around.
• Expect Morne Steyn to rack up quite a number of point in the 1st few rounds, whilst the players are getting used to the new interpretation of the tackle laws.
• Dewald Potgieter is a rising superstar, as are the Bulls two young wings, Gerhard van den Heever and (scrumhalf) Francois Hougaard.
• Wynand Olivier is an outstanding Super 14 player. He will once again be wanting to put his hand up for the available Springbok #12 jumper.
• Pierre Spies is simply a monster.

This is what they are capable of: [official777]

Possible concerns:

• Victor Matfield plays a lot better when he doesn’t have the burden of captaincy on his shoulders.
• Should the new tackle laws reduce the number of penalties and allow for more running rugby, Morne Steyn might have to run.. and tackle.

BSR’s prediction for the Bulls’ best possible finish: definite playoff contenders