The Blue Bulls may go out to defend their title on Saturday, but according to new coach Nico Serfontein, the fact that other teams are looking for their blood suits them just fine.
Serfontein was drafted to defend the title the Bulls won against Boland last season and takes a young side sporting seven under-21 players into their first outing against Griqualand West at Loftus Versfeld this Saturday.
And even though there is more pressure on the side, and they have now become the target of every side in the competition, Sefontein can't wait to take up the challenge.
"There is the pressure of defending the title," Serfontein says confidently, "but that is the way it should be. The Blue Bulls have a great history and have been one of the top two sides in South African rugby over the history of the game.
"And now being the defending champions everybody will be out to hammer us in this competition. But we're keen and willing to protect our title and will play an open, entertaining game. We have a number of young talented players coming through who we want to develop into Springboks in Pretoria."
The Blue Bulls will be captained by former SWD Eagles flanker Denzil Frans and have included last year's SA Schools flyhalf Derek Hougaardt in their side.
Teams for Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria:
Griquas: David Manual, Hyron Thyse, Eugene Kinghorn, Riaan van Jaarsveld (captain), Jearus Nicholas, Quintin van Tonder, Charl Blom, Johann de Kock (v-capt), Bok Markram, Daan Liversage, Fergus Pringle, Attie Stander, Reinier van den Bergh, Louis Loubser, Hedley Wessels. Substitutes: Jakkals Smal, Ian Wessels, Johan Theron, Bertus Heunis, Solly Tyibilika, Matt Botha, Paul de Koker.
Blue Bulls: Leon van den Heever, Gavin September, JP Nel, Tiaan Joubert, Dewey Swartbooi, Derek Hougaardt, Fourie du Preez, Pedrie Wannenburg, Johan Wassermann, Denzil Frans (capt), Bakkies Botha, Piet Myburgh, Sias Wagner, Gary Botha, Rudi Durandt. Substitutes: Lamla Manelli, Kalafo Tlailane, Francois van Schouwenburg, Ruan Vermeulen, Robbie Janse van Rensburg, Jacques Schutte, Giscard Pieters.
Referee: Eugene Daniels (WP).
Kick-off: 15:00.
Teams for Bill Jardine Stadium, Johannesburg:
Lions: Jaco Booysen, Jannie van der Walt, Jaco Pretorius, Kaya Malotana, Oginga Siwundla, Nel Fourie, Bennie Nortjé (capt), Rian van der Merwe, Ettiene Barnard, Jaco Strachan, Neil Goosen, Barend Pieterse, Frank Redelinghuys, James van der Walt, Daniel Muller. Substitutes: Johan Kemp, André van Niekerk, Cobus Grobler, Sean Plaatjies, Nicholas Eyre, Rouan Nel, Bertus Swanepoel.
Boland Kavaliers: Lean van Dyk, Jan Ackermann, WP Strauss, Rudi Keil, Piet van Zyl, Daniel Philander, Cassie Carstens, Henley du Plessis, Chris Potgieter, Chris Thiart, Vion Wium (capt), Randile Julies, Andries Human, Dale Santon, Fabian Brandt. Substitutes: Pieter Terblanche, Gustav Rademeyer, Henk Eksteen, David Hendricks, Enrico Januarie, Ambrose Barendse, Antonius Verhoeven.
Referee: Louis Mzomba (WP).
Teams for Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park:
EP Elephants: Justin Peach, Vuyani Dlomo, Sam Gerber, Jerome Muller, Wonga Joka, Clinton van Rensburg, Albert Viljoen, Chean Roux (capt), Barry Pinnock, Heinrich Stride, Chrisjan van der Westhuysen, Tjaart Coetzee, Vorster Venter, Dekado Jantjies. Substitutes: Wayne Bennett, Kees Lensing, Rory Duncan, JJ Pienaar, Chris Jonck, Brett Hennessey, Fabian Juries.
Falcons: Juan Houtsamer, Jacques Booysen, Ettienne Botha, Wynand Lourens, Turtuis Douw, Joe Esterhuysen, Freddy Roberts, Naas Rossouw, Nico Luus, Jean Pieters, Braam Els (capt), Ralf Schroeder, Jaco Venter, Skipper Badenhorst, Gunder Williamson. Substitutes: Jan van der Schyff, Japie Barnard, Morne du Toit, Stephan Britz, Walter Minnaar, Joggie Viljoen, Eugene Marx.
Referee: Deon van Blommestein (WP).
Kick-off: 16:00.
Teams for Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein:
Cheetahs (from): Jaco van Schalkwyk, Isak Job, Ashwell Rafferty, Clarke Manuel, Philip Burger, Christophe du Toit, Barry McDonald, Rudolf Froneman, Conrad Barnard, Kennedy Tsimba, Jimmy Powell, Neil Powell, JB Heckroodt, Tokkie Kasselman, Gromingo Mzunga, Kobus Grobbelaar, Gerrie Britz, Wayne Boardman, Lodie Britz, Joe Beukes, CJ van der Linde, Arno Appelgryn, Gurthro Steenkamp, Dirkie Groenewald, Hanyani Shimange, Andries van der Linden.
Griffons: Not Available.
Referee: Jamiel Panday (Bol).
Teams for Olen Park, Potchefstroom:
Leopards: Riaan van der Bergh, Lawrence Nkosi, Lourens Venter, Kosie van Vuuren, Rayno Hendricks, Danie de Beer, Werner Swanepoel (capt), Johann Smith, Danzel Manuel, Hanu Nel, Werner Lessing, Jaco Barnard, Rocco Peddar, Michael Laubscher, Sampie Hendriks. Substitutes: Hannes Human, Willie Smith, Pierre du Toit, Isaac Treurnicht, Donovan Commerma, Pieter Jordaan, John Nelson.
SWD Eagles: Chelton April, Jeremy Plaatjies, Daryl Coeries, Kat de Jager, Keith Meyer, Dirkie Strydom, Greyling Weidemann, Jaco Gouws, Joseph Ntshongwana, Riaan Thomas, Danie van Rooyen, Francois du Toit, Neil du Toit, Rich Verster (capt), Flippie Spies. Substitutes: Connie Botha, Jaco Binneman, Jaco du Toit, Andre Swanepoel, John Cooper, Willie Nagel, Corne Korff.
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (Sarfu).
Teams for Absa Stadium, East London:
Western Province: Donavan van Vuuren (capt), Gus Theron, Jean de Villiers, Dave Cumming, Egon Seconds, Swys Swart, Ashieq Wise, Donovan Sinclair, Fiela van Zyl, Jonathan Mokuena, Drikus Hancke (v-capt), Immanuel McKenzie, Eddie Andrews, Martin van Schalkwyk, Rudolph Bosch. Substitutes: Pierre van Rensburg, Patrick Barnard, Anton van Zyl, Ernst Joubert, Greg Commins, Allan Hoffman, Patrick Petersen.
Bulldogs: Tiger Mangweni, Odwa Ndugane, Johan Calitz, Vusumzi Mbulali, Ian Fihlani, Werner Bester, Vido Nako, Graham Carlson (capt), Ryno van der Merwe, Clinton van der Westhuyzen, Rob Linde, Nikky Smit, Vaughn Graham, Johan van Wyk, Jane du Toit. Substitutes: Hugo Horn, Danie Thiart, Sam Mtotywa, Derek Hendry, Richard Bennett, Gareth Wright, Chumani Booi. Coach: Kobus van der Merwe.
Referee: Johan Meuwesen (EP). - Sapa