By Andrew Hollely

"This one is for Ettienne." Those are the words of Blue Bulls fullback Johan Roets just days before his team defend their Currie Cup crown against the Cheetahs at a sold-out Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Roets was speaking about the memory of close friend and Bulls centre Ettienne Botha who was tragically killed in a car accident on September 7 this year.

The Bulls are aiming for a record fourth title in as many years, and if they can achieve the feat the latest triumph will - in the hearts and minds of every Bulls player - be devoted to the record-breaking centre.

'Shortly after the accident we did say we wanted to win it for him'

"Shortly after the accident we did say we wanted to win it for him," Roets revealed on Tuesday. "It will place more emotion on the match, which is not always a good thing so obviously we will try and channel that. In our hearts when we run out on Saturday it will be for Ettienne - he meant so much to me and the whole team that I'm sure we will dedicate the day to him."

Roets who, like many of his team-mates, was very close to the amiable Botha said that although it was difficult to lose one of the team's stars in the middle of the campaign they had regrouped quickly - an indication of the team's resolve. The Bulls have won six matches in-a-row since Botha passed away and currently stand on a nine match unbeaten streak in the Currie Cup.

The mission though is far from finished.

"Yes we have won nine out of nine, but we have achieved nothing yet. The Currie Cup is not yet won. We need 10 out of 10 (victories) otherwise all the hard work the squad has put in will come to nought," added Roets.

Some believe the dependable No 15 may be on the plane with the rest of Jake White's Springboks for the end-of-year tour, but that is not something the 27-year-old is worried about.

'The Currie Cup is not yet won'

"Yes, I think I've been blessed to have a good season, but my focus is entirely on winning a fourth Currie Cup for the Bulls. Obviously if I get chosen to play for the Boks then that is every rugby players' dream."

Some Bulls players, meanwhile, were apparently the victims of a brazen daylight robbery as several players, among them Roets and lock Victor Matfield, had cellphones and wallets stolen from the Loftus changeroom during practice on Monday afternoon.

The items have not yet been recovered and despite double security on the day - for the considerable amount of money paid for tickets at the stadium - the thieves managed to get away unseen. - Sapa