The ACT Brumbies will find out this morning whether they'll face a Pretoria Bulls outfit missing two of the world's best locks.
Bulls captain Victor Matfield has returned to South Africa for the birth of his second child, while his second-row partner Bakkies Botha will discover today whether he'll miss the Friday night clash at Canberra Stadium.
Botha appeared before a SANZAR judicial hearing yesterday and could face suspension after being charged with striking NSW Waratahs skipper Phil Waugh during the Bulls' 20-6 win last weekend.
Judicial officer Dennis Wheelahan QC held over his decision for further consideration and is expected to announce it at 9am today.
Matfield and Botha are the starting lock pair for the Springboks and their absence would severely weaken the Bulls' forward pack.
Brumbies forward coach Owen Finegan said the absence of Matfield and Botha would have a ''huge impact'' on the Bulls' attack.
''They are two of their most experienced forwards and have been involved with South African rugby for a long time,'' Finegan said.
''Something the Bulls pride themselves on is the set piece, and to be where they are on the Super14 ladder means you need a competent set piece.
''It would be like if any team lost both its first choice second-rowers, but the big advantage for [the] Bulls is the size of and the quality of the guys that can step in.
''They still have players like Wilhelm Steenkamp, Danie Rossouw and Pedrie Wannenburg available.''
Finegan described Botha and Matfield as one of the finest lock combinations in world rugby, and said the Bulls' set pieces had been one of the best in Super14 for a number of years.
''Not too many other teams can boast having a national combination,'' he said. ''Australia seems to share the second-rowers around, it's been a strength for the Bulls now for a while.''
Brumbies lock Ben Hand admitted to being disappointed not to be able to test himself, but said the Bulls' replacements were no pushovers.
''Matfield and Botha are world class locks and although we'd have liked to have tested ourselves it's going to make the defensive lineout battle a little better for us,'' Hand said.
''They put a lot of heat on the Waratahs last week and with those two not being there [if Botha gets suspended] then it's going to help us.
''In saying that, they have a pretty handy replacement in Rossouw who has plenty of experience at Test level so they don't lose a hell of a lot.''
Brumbies coach Andy Friend said Matfield's decision not to play would help the Brumbies.
''Victor Matfield is one of the world's best locks, if he chooses not to play then that wouldn't be a bad thing for us, but the Bulls have a lot of depth in that position who also go well.''
Friend said he was thrilled with the forward pack that played the Cape Town Stormers last Saturday.
The performance has Friend tempted to give injured captain Stephen Hoiles an extra week to recover from a knee injury. A decision will be made this afternoon, with Friend saying Hoiles was 50-50 to take his place in the Brumbies' side.
FRIDAY
Super 14 round ten: ACT Brumbies v Pretoria Bulls at Canberra Stadium, 7.40pm. TV Time: Live on Fox Sports3. Tickets available through Ticketek.
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