Blue Bulls face tough assignment

Defending Currie Cup champions the Blue Bulls face a tough assignment first up in their north-south derby against Western at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

It is the pick of the first round clashes of the Cup Premier Division under the restructured strength v strength system

With flyhalf Derick Hougaard cleared to play after a bout of bronchitis, the Bulls looks as formidable as they were last season, but the experienced

Province outfit are well capable of springing a few surprises.

But the honour of launching the 2003 season goes to the Natal Sharks who will host the Eagles at Durban's Absa Stadium on Friday.

The Eagles are one of the two teams which have earned a place in the Premier Division and should be well prepared after seven weeks of qualifying action.

Even so, they could hardly have drawn a tougher opponent for their debut than the star-studded Sharks.

Last year's beaten finalists, the Lions, will host the Pumas at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The Pumas inevitably provide stern opposition and the hosts will expect the men from Witbank to come out firing.

The Lions, however, have a number of experienced campaigners in their backline and boast a pack of real menace.

At Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein, the Cheetahs will host the second qualifying outfit, the Griquas, on Saturday.

The Griquas's preparations were disrupted by the resignation this week of coach Swys de Bruyn, but his replacement Kobus van der Merwe is sure to be able to maintain momentum of recent weeks.