The Bulls are South Africa's last remaining hope for a Vodacom Super 12 semi-final spot in this year's competition, but anything less than a five-point haul against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday will scupper those dreams with one round remaining.

In fact, if the Bulls fail to add to their four match winning streak, they could slide all the way to the bottom third of the Super 12 table.

But if results go their way - and the Bulls secure 10 points from their last two round robin encounters - they could even be hosting a semi- final on May 21.

Lose both and they could plummet to fourth from bottom. The season is still that wide open. Eight teams are in with a shout of making the play-offs, with the Waratahs of Australia and Crusaders of New Zealand virtually guaranteed of qualifying.

That means, realistically, six teams are fighting for two spots, with the Bulls seemingly, although in sixth place, looking good to secure one of those spots. Form and respective personnel point to an inevitable Bulls victory over their coastal rivals on Saturday, leaving a mouth- watering challenge in the last round at Loftus - against the under-performing, but hugely talented Stormers outfit.

First though Heyneke Meyer's charges must deal with Dick Muir's Sharks, who showed in defeating the Brumbies - their only win of the season - they are capable of big upsets.

The Bulls have turned their season around in front of their fervent fans with a no nonsense game plan, based on the dominance of their big pack. This has aided in the speedsters - Akhona Ndungane and Bryan Habana in particular - playing with a welcome freedom.

Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer has tweaked his pack for the match with lock Danie Rossouw and hooker Danie Coetzee coming back into the side, giving the Gary and Bakkies Botha a well-deserved break ahead of what is looming as a crunch encounter against the Stormers in the final round.

The Sharks, meanwhile, got a beleaguered boost to their morale when flyhalf Butch James and wing Henno Mentz, now recovered from injury, were brought into the starting line-up with Brent Russell moving back to fullback in the absence of Adrian Jacobs who is now on the injured list.

Muir has opted for the side that in spite of the heavy 77-34 loss against the Crusaders last week managed to play some enthralling rugby at times.

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