An uphill battle awaits the injury-ridden Falcons when they try to qualify for the final of the Bankfin Cup on Sunday against a powerful Blue Bulls side. The visitors have lost eleven of their contract group of 28 through injuries and were forced to include three club players in their side for this semifinal.

The Bulls are in ominous form the last few weeks and it seems the off-field controversies haven't impacted too negatively on their performances. Coach Eugene van Wyk said his team hasn't performed too badly during the last few weeks.

"But the Falcons are always a tough side to beat, so we expect nothing but a torrid time. I know they have been depleted by injuries, but they have used a lot of players during the year and they have a good squad system. They are particularly strong up front."

Jacques Olivier (pictured) and McNeil Hendricks are in sublime form and Van Wyk stated his intentions of giving these two attacking weapons plenty of ball. He conceded it's still difficult to motivate his charges for these games, even though the competition has reached the semifinal stage.

"It's better, but there is so much happening off the field and it just doesn't stop, so the players' concentration is not what it should be for a game of this nature. But I'm sure they'll be up to the task on Sunday," he said. "It's a very difficult situation, but the guys want to pull this one off for themselves."'

His opposite number, Phil Pretorius, was a worried man on Thursday. "Listen, I'm not worried about the Bulls at the moment. Right now I'm more worried about my own team. We are severely disrupted by injuries and have only 19 of our contracted group of 28 left."

To add insult to injury, some of the guys in the team are also battling with niggling injuries. But Pretorius said now is the time for the guys who get their chance on Saturday to stand up and be counted. "They can now show they are capable of playing at this level. And it's also a last chance to show that they belong in the Super 12 squad."

The coach concedes, however, that they are the underdogs. "The Bulls have a very strong side and it's going to be a tough assignment. We are going to give our best, but it's just a pity about the injuries."

Teams for Loftus:

Falcons: Piet Matthys, Peet van Deventer, Ettiene Botha, Eugene Meyer (capt), Adrian Jacobs, Pieter Jordaan, Deon de Kock, Kurt Steinbach, Bertus Heunis, Jaco Booysen, Nico Wegner, Stefan Brits, Lawrence Sephaka, Danie van der Walt, Gunder Williamson. Substitutes: Turtius Douw, Heinrich Jordaan, Emile Rossouw, Naas Rossouw, Emile de Beer, Skipper Badenhorst, Wessel Roux.

Blue Bulls: Marius Goosen; McNeil Hendricks, Jacques Olivier, Danie van Schalkwyk, Brendell Brandt; Franco Smith, Joost van der Westhuizen (capt); Danie Rossouw, Anton Leonard, Ruben Kruger, Wuim Basson, Derrick Grobbelaar, Piet Boer, Naka Drotske, Os du Randt. Substitutes: Conrad Breytenbach, Corrie Scheepers, Norman Jordaan, Jannie Brooks, Draadkar de Lange, Frikkie Bosman, George van der Walt.

Referee: Andy Turner.

Kick-off: 15:00.