And now for some real rugby
rugby365 columnist Steve Farrell says it’s sad that all the off field shenanigans in South African rugby are getting more attention than a Currie Cup Final that has the potential to go down as a true classic in every sense of the word on October 25.
As predicted, the table-topping Sharks will host the Bulls in Durban next Saturday in a dream Currie Cup Final. Both teams disposed of their semifinal rivals, the Lions and Cheetahs, without much stress to set up a carbon copy of last year’s Super 14 Final.
The drama that unfolded on that faithful afternoon for the Sharks has been well documented and with the majority of the same players set to take the field next Saturday, could it be sweet revenge or yet another ‘so close, yet so far’ season for the Durban boys?
The Sharks camp have played down the revenge factor, but I can assure you that they will be absolutely desperate to turn things around. They haven’t won a trophy since 1996 and have endured a horror run in Finals – seven losses in Currie Cup and Super Rugby Finals since their last taste of silverware – that has got to hurt. It will be playing on the Sharks players minds, especially given the fact that they have two weeks to think about things heading into the Final. They were the slight favourites going into last year’s Super 14 Final and I suggest they’ll be the slight favourites heading into this one, but only just.
On paper, the Sharks have a formidable outfit. You can’t fault them in any department. They have a formidable front row – which team can afford to leave arguably the greatest Springbok captain of all time on the bench for a Currie Cup semifinal? But when you have Bismarck du Plessis as your second No.2, you can afford to leave John Smit on the bench. It will be very interesting to see whether John Plumtree goes for Smit or the barnstorming Bismarck. For me, there should be no debate whatsoever. The Bok captain has to get the nod. He has played in a World Cup Final, captaining his team to victory, and has that experienced that Du Plessis lacks at this stage of his career. In a game that is likely to go down to the wire, the Sharks will need Smit’s exceptional leadership skills out there. Another reason why I’d go for Smit is the line-out factor. If Bismarck has a weakness, it is his throwing in the line-outs. He has had a few off days this season and with Victor Matfield calling the shots in the Bulls line-out, the Sharks will need to be meticulous in their execution at line-out time. Smit is that man.
Another factor that could prove crucial is the experience of playing in a Currie Cup Final. The Sharks have not played in a Currie Cup Final since 2003, whilst the Bulls have contested five of the previous six Finals, winning three of them and sharing the spoils in that famous game with the Cheetahs in 2006. It goes without saying that the Bulls will be more comfortable in the pressure environment. They have tasted it all before and will be ready for the occasion. What will make it tougher for the Sharks is that their fans will be demanding a win. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster being a Sharks fan over the last decade and they will want their faith repaid on October 25 and no later.
The ‘house full’ signs have already been raised – a good sign considering the semifinal at Durban was by no means sold out. Perhaps the Sharks faithful couldn’t bear to watch their team stumble at the penultimate hurdle. That they didn’t and for that they will be relieved, but their season will not be complete until they have the Currie Cup in their hands.
It’s not going to be easy, in fact it’s going to be one helluva battle. The Bulls have a simple formula and it works, especially in pressure situations. That simple formula needs no introduction as it has worked for the Bulls for many years. Why fix something that ain’t broke hey Butana? It has been visibly apparent that the Bulls’ backline have looked far more penetrating this season. Their backline coach Pieter Rossouw is obviously doing good things with the Bulls backs. Wynand Olivier, so often ridiculed for his long blond hair, is playing the best rugby of his life after a quiet few seasons. I could never understand why Jake White continued to pick Olivier during his time as Bok coach as he never impressed me. But I’ve been pleasantly surprised by his form this season. His battle with Francois Steyn, who needs a trip to the hairdresser himself, and Adi Jacobs will be one of many crucial tussles that will go a long way towards deciding the winner.
Another sideshow is the immanent announcement of Peter de Villiers’ Springbok squad announcement for their end of year tour to Wales, Ireland and England. The Final will probably have no bearing on De Villiers’ squad, but that’s not to say that the players on the fringes of selection won’t have an extra incentive to play their . For me the match-up of the day will be between the two Springbok No.8’s in Ryan Kankowski and Pierre Spies. I’ve made by case crystal clear as to who I would like to see wearing the No.8 jersey for the Springboks (how much longer we’ll be calling them the Boks remains to be seen), and Kankowski backed me up in the semifinal with another solid game.
But most of all I’m excited to see 44 players of high quality go at each other for the right to be crowned Currie Cup champions of 2008. Will the Bulls make it 23 outright Currie Cup triumphs or will the Sharks win just their fifth title? It’s going to be a long wait but one that I am prepared to sit it out as it going to be a memorable Saturday at the ABSA Stadium. Lets just hope that Mr Khompela and Watson stay out of the headlines and let the rugby do the talking in the coming days.
