Currie Cup predictions

The Currie Cup finally comes to a conclusion today as the Bulls host the Cheetahs in a match where nobody is giving the team from the Free State any real chance.

I'm a big believer that nobody wants to play the Cheetahs in a semi-final or final simply because they play like they have nothing to lose. A side like that is terrible to play against as they tend to yank you out of your comfort zone.

While I suspect the Bulls will win I think there is little harm in putting a few bucks down on the Cheetahs for a shock factor.

One area where I think punters could have a lot of fun is around the first try-scorer. I've backed Bryan Habana (9/1) Jacques Louis Potgieter (33/1) and my good old fashioned try scoring banker Fourie Du Preez (18/1).

C'mon the Cheetahs!

Top rugby

Geez how good was the Bulls vs. Crusaders semi-final?! It was probably one of the best Super 14 games I've watched in the whole time I've been following Super rugby.

One can't help but wonder how influential that sin-binning just before the half-tim break was in terms of getting the Bulls back in the game.

From a technical perspective I loved the way that both teams adjusted to the others playing style. The Crusaders mashed the Bulls up front in the early scrum exchanges and that bomber up-and-under that led to a Crusaders try was a perfect show of exploiting weaknesses / structures in the Bulls setup.

Even better than that though was the way the Bulls realised that their gameplan wasn't working and changed tactics. When they realised the Crusaders weren't committing men to the rucks they started to find ways to suck guys in and the Ndungane try proved the system worked.

On the strength of that performance Morne Steyn and Fourie Du Preez have to be the first choice scrumhalf and flyhalf combination for the Lions. Steyn has answered his critics with some solid performances and shown he's not just a kicker but he's prepared to make the tackles and attack the gain line when it is necessary.

I think Du Preez had a lot to do with changing the style of the game that the Bulls played and that highlights his value to the team. He kept his cool and didn't put any undue on the new centre combination which I thought showed a lot of intelligence. Good job

Pierre Spies was also good - he looked for work and every time he got the ball there was a feeling something was going to happen.

There is something different about the Bulls this year. They're not just a smash and bash type of team - they can adjust and THAT is a sign of class.

Well done Bulls - you cost me a few bucks on my Crusaders bet but it was worthwhile watching an SA team playing so well.

Super 14 so far...

Intriguing Super 14 so far...

... The sublime play such as that delivered by the Chiefs vs. Bulls last week and then the ridiculous as the Crusaders and Stormers tried to spend the match handing their opponents the opportunity to win the game.

As a reminder here is the table:


The Sharks have looked brilliant as have the Chiefs in the last few weeks.

Conversely the Lions and Cheetahs have looked out of their depth and while the Cheetahs have a chance to go and hide out in Bloem, the Lions are now having to go on tour.... Wouldn't want ot be them I'm afraid.

The Stormers missed a golden opportunity to pick up away points on the weekend with a very average performance but at least they looked "competitive" even if the game itself was awful.

SA players of the tournament for me so far?
--- hhhhmmm Rory Kockott and Fourie Du Preez - the two scrumhalves have been exceptional value for money

Best newcomer:
---- Gerhard van den Heever - the Bulls winger - looks like a real talent

Still some time to play and the S14 looks very close this year so things could change each week. It's going to be intriguing to watch...

Losing patience

I hate to say it but South African rugby fans are losing patience with the performances of the Bok side.

Before anyone starts on the race card - shut it - I'm a PDV fan, but something needs to change in the way the Boks are approaching this tour. Forget blaming the referees - this tour had the hallmark of a disinterested squad from before they left the SA shores.


You make controversial selections like Rose and Ralepele and you bring an exciting prospect like Nokwe through but don't utilise them against the tours weakest opposition?

Makes no sense to me.

I don't need to be told that Ruan Pienaar is a good rugby player - I've seen him play the game at the top level for the last three years and do so well. I DO however need to know that we have a 2nd or 3rd choice flyhalf (depending on what happens with Butch James) - whether it is Peter Grant, Frans Steyn or Earl Rose.

I DO need to know that Chilliboy is going to be the number two hooker and that Pierre Spies is the better choice number 8 than Ryan Kankowski.




Whether the players are interested or not after a long season of rugby is up for debate - especially when you look at the injuries being clocked up. Guthro Steenkamp, Fourie Du Preez and Bismarck Du Plessis are now all carrying knocks.

The players all have long hard Super 14 and Tri-Nations campaigns ahead of them, and if they (players and management) are going to approach this tour in what appears to be a disinterested frame of mind, then maybe the tour wasn't worth doing in the first place?

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Snappy service - Scrumhalf

Yesterday when the Springboks took on Argentina, the value of snappy service from Scrumhalf to Flyhalf was proven.

Ricky Januarie started the game at Scrumhalf with Butch James at flyhalf. Now Butch James isn't the smallest guy around and the defence around the fringes / flyhalf for the Argentinians is probably not as intimidating as say they All Blacks or the Australians.

Yet South Africa battled to break this first channel repeatedly and the first try (that came through this gap) was a fluffed pass from Januarie that Jean Devilliers recovered and went through.

The problem was the slow service from Januarie meant that James was taking it static and the flyhalf was then being swamped or play was "crabbing" sideways across the field.

When Fourie Du Preez came on, the game changed. James was getting snappy service before the Argentinians had recovered, he and the centres could then pick their gaps and hit them at speed.
Coach your scrumhalves to understand why they should be snapping the ball out as quickly as possible. Show them the value of hitting the opposition before the backline has fanned out and the half gaps in the first channels are still open while players either commit to the ruck or fall back.

It will make the world of difference to their game play.