Last year, the Bulls defeated the Sharks in the quarterfinal on their route to the United Rugby Championship final.
Can the Durban team win again at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday at 3 o’clock in the afternoon?
Here are five crucial player-versus-player encounters that might determine the result.
Aphelele Fassi vs Johan Goosen
Both players will be colleagues for SA A on the November trip despite not making the Bok Test squad.
Goosen is out of place at fullback, but Bulls coach Jake White thinks that the former Cheetahs star has the “similar skill-set in some respects” as Kurt-Lee Arendse. White will be hoping that the player can create some magical moments on offense and utilize his huge boot to gain territory.
Fassi must show off his exceptional ball-in-hand touch to give the Sharks backline true bite now that he has dropped down the Bok pecking order.
Francois Venter v. Cornal Hendricks
Hendricks, who spent many years outside the national setup owing to his heart ailment, will be over the moon with his call-up to the SA A team this week.
Whether playing at No. 12, No. 13, or No. 14, he has consistently produced for the Bulls. But when he faces Venter, who will be eager to make a strong impression upon his return to South Africa after his English club Worcester collapsed, he will have his hands full.
Venter is a capable defender who can take advantage of a few deft offloads to send his teammates away, so Hendricks will try to outfoot him with his footwork.
Vincent Tshituka vs Marco van Staden
Rassie Erasmus clarified that Tshituka is not yet qualified for Springbok selection, and that Van Staden, a member of the Test squad, may have profited from this.
But what better place for the No. 7 to demonstrate once again that, assuming his paperwork is in order, he ought to be called up right away to the national team than at Loftus Versfeld.
Since originally breaking out with the Bulls in earlier years mostly as a fetcher flank, Van Staden has significantly improved his game.
He is now a dangerous tackler as well as a powerful carryer.
Tshituka is an all-around ball carrier who was a Lions mainstay and wants to build a similar reputation for the Durbanites.
Hyron Andrews vs. Ruan Nortje
Nortje will be frustrated that, despite being selected for the SA A group, he was not included in the Bok Test squad.
He excelled for the Bulls in the URC last year, winning the Ironman award for the most minutes played while displaying exceptional ball carrying skills in addition to his lineout abilities.
But he will also have to deal with Andrews, a lineout specialist who is quick on his feet and leaps high into the air.
Nortje will attempt to steal a couple Sharks throw-ins in the same manner, however.
Thomas du Toit vs. Gerhard Steenekamp
Du Toit is vying hard for Frans Malherbe’s No. 3 shirt for the Bok, and one of his strongest suits is his ability to scavenge.
Because he enjoys bringing the ball into contact and disputing the breakdowns, the former Cape schoolboy has always been outstanding in the tight-loose.
Steenekamp, though, has persevered in a Bulls scrum that is continually becoming better, but he will now deal with Du Toit’s direct criticism.
The Bulls will have a good chance of winning if Steenekamp can just maintain his composure and avoid giving up any penalties.