WP make sure ref won't be taking any bull

Western Province coach Kobus van der Merwe has had a word with referee Marius Jonker to make sure that there is no bull from the Blue Bulls in Saturday's Currie Cup semifinal at Loftus.

The Bulls are notorious for going overboard in their attempts to physically intimidate opponents and it was a topic of conversation this week when Van der Merwe and Jonker spoke on the phone.

"We are not worried about the physical component of the game, but about off-the-ball issues... The Bulls have received the most yellow cards in the competition, whereas our discipline has been very good," said Van der Merwe.

"Discipline will be very important for both teams.

"Marius is very good at handling that side of the game.

"Intimidation is part of the game... The Bulls try to intimidate you. All we request is that discipline is demanded from both sides," the coach said.

Province were annoyed this week when SA Rugby let Bulls centre JP Nel off the hook after the player received his third yellow card in this year's Currie Cup against the Cheetahs at the weekend.

The WP coach also raised other issues with Jonker.

"There were a few technical things I wanted to ask about. I will speak to him again before the game," said Van der Merwe.

Van der Merwe will announce a team line-up at noon on Thursday, but indicated on Wednesday that the door would be left open for changes until shortly before kick-off when both sides have to submit their run-on sides to SuperSport.