Pukke's Super selections
Last weekend’s final round of league action in the 2010 Super 14 saw a host of old Pukke rugby players involved… and, naturally, making a difference!
For the Stormers, their entire front row was made up of old Pukke players, with props Wicus Blaauw and Brok Harris and hooker Tiaan Liebenberg all performing superbly for the Men in Blue as they smashed the Bulls in Cape Town.
The Stormers’ forwards, of course, are coached by none other than Matthew Proudfoot – who guided the Pukke to the Varsity Cup semifinals in 2008, where they narrowly went down to UCT in dramatic circumstances.
The Bulls, meanwhile, had a few Pukke players of their own, with props Jaco Engels and (the aptly-named) Bees Roux, along with flyhalf Jaques-Louis Potgieter who has also started matches for the Bulls ‘A-side’ at centre this season.
In other teams, old Pukke man Naas Olivier was one of the few standouts for the Cheetahs during a disappointing season, whilst the Lions had the likes of lock Franco van der Merwe (arguably their Player of the Year thus far) and centre Deon van Rensburg – both ex-Pukke stars – to call upon.
Of course, it is also worth mentioning the role of current Pukke coach Rudy Joubert.
The former Springbok assistant coach helped the Bulls to a respectable sixth-place finish in 2003 – not bad considering their horrific seasons in Super Rugby up till then.
That same Bulls side has since gone on to dominate Super Rugby in recent years; winning in 2007 and 2009 and also, once again, challenging for the title this season; in this, their fifth semifinal appearance in the last six years.
Makes one think of the Pukke’s influence on South African rugby – doesn’t it?
By Mario van de Wall
