Richard Kahui looks set to take his place in the Chiefs' starting line-up against the Bulls © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

News: Kahui confirmed in Chiefs' midfield

Players/Officials: Richard Kahui

Tournaments/Tours: Super 14

Teams: Bulls | Chiefs | New Zealand | South Africa

All Black centre Richard Kahui looks set to provide the Chiefs with a huge fitness boost as they prepare for their first Super 14 final against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Kahui missed out on the Chiefs' semi-final win over the Hurricanes with a calf strain, but took a full part in training ahead of the team announcement. Utility back Dwayne Sweeney had looked set to reprise his role in the centre for the game, but fan-favourite Kahui looks set to pip him to a place in the final XV.

"I had been quite nervous because it was my first real full training. I got through it really good," Kahui said. "So things are going pretty well at the moment, and fingers crossed I am named in the side."

The Chiefs will be heading into a hostile atmosphere at a sold-out Loftus Versfeld, with the rugby-mad South African fans gearing up to roar their side to a second Super 14 title in three seasons. Kahui suggested nothing the crowd will do or say will surprise the Chiefs.

"We'll be playing in front of a hostile crowd of about 55,000 people," he said. "I got a text the other day telling me it would be hard for us to win, because we've got the altitude, the travel, the sleep patterns and things like that. But as a team we are all really confident and I think the adversity has brought us together.

"We know we are good enough to beat this side if we play as well as we can. If they get a roll on they are a tough team to stop, but there is a good confidence, and a quiet confidence, throughout our team."