VIDEO: The Currie Cup has a special status in our hearts says Erasmus

NEWS: He would be forgiven if his heart pumps orange on Saturday when the Cheetahs and Pumas run out for the final of the Currie Cup in the Bloemfontein stadium.

After all, South Africa’s Director of Rugby, Johan Erasmus, made 112 provincial appearances in the Cheetah jersey, a team he represented on and off from 1994 to 2003.

After retirement, Erasmus moved into coaching and guided the Cheetahs to Currie Cup glory in 2005 – the Bloemfontein-based team’s first Currie Cup title since 1976.

The following year, his Cheetahs side shared the Currie Cup trophy with the Blue Bulls and he became the first-ever coach of the Cheetahs Super Rugby franchise when they were accepted into the Super 14 that year.

This week, when prompted to comment on the Currie Cup Final, Erasmus said: “The Currie Cup will always have a warm feeling in our hearts and I think it’s panned out to be exactly the same this year.”

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Erasmus said what made the domestic competition so interesting this year, was the closeness of the teams on the log towards the end.

“It was so close at the end and how Western Province missed out [on reaching the play-offs, beaten by the Bulls by a solitary point].

“For those teams [Cheetahs and Pumas] to be in the Final, it’s a feeling that they don’t always play big franchise rugby and get the opportunities.

“With the ‘status’ in our hearts, the Currie Cup has, it’s a nice feeling.

“Let’s hope those two teams pack the stadium in Bloemfontein because the way the two games went last weekend, it was really enjoyable to watch,” he said.