Cronje leading Shimlas' charge
It is a tradition in South Africa’s judicial capital that all its rugby teams play open, running rugby. Shimlas are no exception and proved it in their 37-11 Varsity Cup win against NMMU this past Monday. Yet, to execute an expansive approach a team needs its general, and flyhalf Lionel Cronjé seems just like the man for the job.
The former Queen’s College and Free State Under-19 player was in sparkling form on Monday, crossing the NMMU tryline twice (and spilling a third) and generally directing his backline well throughout.
“It was a really good outing. I thought we played quite well given it was our first game. My game is not yet where I want it to be but I’m satisfied so far,” the Kovsies pivot told varsitycup.co.za.
Cronjé said that he was surprised by the spirited performance of his NMMU opponents and felt that the men from Port Elizabeth had prepared well.
“Even though the competition is in its early stages, it is noticeable that the teams are priding themselves on their preparation,” he said. “It’s amazing how the exposure that the Varsity Cup offers has translated into the teams raising their games.”
The Kovsies team, however, has always been a bit of an enigma – especially in the Varsity Cup. Three wins in their seven 2008 matches points to inconsistency, but they remain a dangerous outfit. But Cronjé believes it is exactly this tag that will make them a handful.
“I think we considered as underdogs a bit,” he said. “Some of our players are unknown to people and that might just work to our advantage.”
Ominously, the flyhalf suggested that his team might employ their expansive approach against Pukke at Shimla Park next Monday.
“We are after all known for our running rugby. I’m pretty sure we can dazzle the crowd with some sparkling play,” he said in a rather mischievous tone.
By Heinz Schenk
