Only the Crusaders could come off a comprehensive win but still make three changes for their semifinal while the Bulls welcome back man-mountain Bakkies Botha for the Jade Stadium showdown.
Last weekend's 33-3 demolition of the Brumbies wasn't enough for coach Robbie Deans as he recalled two rested players, hooker Corey Flynn and winger Rico Gear, while also turning to rising halfback star Andy Ellis.
After a season of rotation, Deans appears to have finally settled on his first-choice XV.
Flynn replaces Tone Kopelani and Gear comes on to the right wing, pushing Scott Hamilton over to the left flank and Caleb Ralph to the reserve bench.
Ellis replaces Kevin Senio as the starting No 9, a reward for his outstanding display in the 37-15 defeat of the Bulls in Pretoria two weeks ago.
"It was a big effort from him physically and mentally in that cauldron," Deans said.
"We're blessed with two good options there. Andy's freshened up and he's been thinking about this game for two weeks. We're looking for big things from him."
Deans has also persisted with the double openside flank strategy that has served his team well over the last two weeks, with Richie McCaw and Johnny Leo'o packing down on the side of the scrum and usual blindside Reuben Thorne at lock.
Leo'o and Tanerau Latimer were flankers at Pretoria and were a key part of a game plan based around continuity and pressure defence which starved the Bulls of possession and chances.
All Blacks captain McCaw was rested for that game but is more than capable of providing the same control that Deans is seeking.
"It [twin flank selection] is continuity, I guess. It worked for us in that instance," Deans said. "But some of the elements we brought to that game won't be a surprise to the Bulls this time so they'll bring some strategies to counter what we hope to achieve.
"They're pretty mobile themselves. They've shown they can play the game from touch to touch. While they've got presence, they've also got athleticism.
"It's going to be who's quickest of thought and action at the weekend. It's going to be a genuine ding-dong."
Botha will notch his 50th for the Bulls.
His inclusion ahead of Francois van Schouwenburg is the only change to the starting team who romped to a 43-10 win over the Stormers last weekend, in the process booking the surprise flight to Christchurch.
Botha believed the remarkable result at Cape Town was not a one-off.
"We did it because we finally played to our full potential," Botha said.
"Nothing less will be needed if we want to beat the Crusaders. It was great to beat the Stormers for the second consecutive year, but it's been water under the bridge since Sunday.
"We're not even referring among ourselves to that victory any more."
Botha sent a scare through the Bulls camp when he limped out midway through training with a sore Achilles heel but returned to complete his team's lineout work.
- NZPA
Deans unveils the master (rotation) plan
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