Bakkies hoping to bring a piece of history

Bulls lock Bakkies Botha has allayed fears that the Bulls biggest adversary this week may not be the Hurricanes, but rather their own complacency.

The Springbok lock, who acts as the enforcer in the Bulls pack, knows just how dangerous a wounded Hurricanes can be.

Also, the All Blacks in the side will be more settled than they were last week and thus the team promise to be a shadow of the side that succumbed tamely to the Lions at Ellis Park.

"We're taking this game more seriously than most," said Botha.

"All talk of the flight home and next week is out of bounds for the players.

"We're just trying to focus on this weekend and it is all the team are talking about," Botha said.

"We know the Hurricanes are under pressure and they know they cannot afford to lose another game.

"We know they want to bounce back in front of their home crowd.

"We're not worried about who is in the team or where we are playing.

"We want a piece of history to leave with as the most successful touring team in the competition. We want that win."

Botha ascribes this year's record-breaking tour, where the Bulls have had three wins out of four in what seemed to be a tough itinerary, to the fact that the team are as close as ever.

"It's the fact that most of us have been together since 2000 and every year we just get closer.

"These guys are my family.

"We said we needed to get a win to get onto the flight, and we beat the Chiefs.

"We then said we needed a win over the Brumbies and the guys did it for each other. We have made mistakes but the guys have bandied together as a unit, and that has served us well."

Botha is another who describes this year's trip as the best tour he has ever been on.

"You know, you still miss the wife and kids but the team management have made this a very enjoyable tour.

"They promised us at the beginning to provide the most fun on a tour ever and they have done that.

"Having said that, at the airport you still tick the business box on the customs form and not holiday.

"We are here to do a job, but it's enjoyable."

Botha knows the Hurricanes will come out hard against them. But he also knows that his team enjoy the rough stuff.

While some may think the Hurricanes are there for the taking, the big Springbok lock is ready for whatever they will offer on Saturday.