CHEETAHS UP FOR A BRAWL IN LIONS’ DEN
Free Staters, with Super Rugby stars back in fold, seen as favourites at Ellis Park
IT’S NOT often that an opposition team come to Ellis Park and are deemed the favourites, but that’s what the Cheetahs are today when they take on the Lions in a final round Currie Cup clash, kicking off at 5.15pm.
The defending champions from Bloemfontein may not have the best record in Joburg, but they’ll be boosted today by being able to include several Super Rugby stars in their squad – and the fact these men have been playing in a competition stronger and more competitive than the Currie Cup.
With the Europe-based Pro14 competition on a two-week break, the Cheetahs have not had to split their player group between that competition and the Currie Cup, meaning they have been able to include the likes of Raymond Rhule, Rosko Specman, Nico Lee, William Small-Smith, Makazole Mapimpi, Tian Meyer, Oupa Mohoje, Paul Schoeman, Henco Venter, Johan Coetzee and Torsten van Jaarsveld in their team.
It is not so much the better quality players the Lions have to fear because they, too, are bolstered by the availability of four Springboks – Malcolm Marx, Ross Cronjé, Courtnall Skosan and Andries Coetzee – but it is the standard of rugby the Cheetahs have been subjected to in the last month.
The Pro14 is far more competitive and demanding than the Currie Cup, forcing Lions boss Swys de Bruin to concede the visitors will be favourites today. “The fact they’ve been playing in the Pro14 definitely counts in their favour,” said De Bruin about the Cheetahs.
“It’s interesting how this year they can pick their best one week and not the next ... but it might come back to bite them because in two weeks, should they qualify for the final, they’ll again have to change because the Pro14 is back in action then.”
Either way, the Lions are not too worried about winning and losing today, as they’ve been all season long. For De Bruin there are bigger things at stake, like producing quality rugby and growing the union’s depth for next year.
“It’s been a very up and down competition for us, because we started four weeks later than the other teams,” said De Bruin, making the point the Currie Cup got going while the Lions’ best were still involved in the Super Rugby play-offs. “But there’s no pressure on the players to have to win ... that wouldn’t be fair on them. I just want us to keep playing and to inspire our fans. There’s a lot of excitement with the Boks back.”
With the Bulls and Pumas having played last night and the Sharks and WP kicking off at 3pm, the Lions and Cheetahs will know exactly what they need to do to still be playing rugby next week.
WHAT a game! Last week showed us all once more just why we love rugby so much. Forget who was playing for a minute and pretend you were trying to explain the game to a visitor from Mars and were using Newlands as a teaching tool.
The level of commitment was amazing, the movement was dramatic, the skills on show were almost gymnastic in appearance. It was, in all, a thing of beauty.
Mostly, however, what shone through was the bravery of the players. Time after time they put their bodies on the line. That is what makes rugby so great.
Yes, skill and athleticism are part of it, but bravery is the thing that sets the game apart. Rugby players do things others dream of doing but are too scared to try. They are like soldiers or knights of old, without armour. We were reminded. We were converted once again. Our Martian would have gone home as a fan of rugby. No question.
In a way I am glad that we lost. Don’t get me wrong. I cursed with the rest when the whistle blew but, on reflection, am content.
First, the jersey was respected. All players gave everything because they realised Albany had been an insult to the Springbok and the Protea, which gives it currency and legitimacy.
It was a practical apology to the nation and it has been accepted.
Next, the effort of the forwards was immense. Kitshoff, Du Toit and especially Etzebeth and Marx were like supermen. The rest were not far off, and we can relax in the knowledge that the traditional advantage of South African rugby still endures.
Our individual forwards still have the physical edge on the rest. That is still there and is important to remember. We also saw glimpses of the future as it could, and should, be. Risks were taken, some of which cost us the game. Ambitious passes and off-loads, that didn’t come off last week, will, in time, create chances as confidence grows. They must be encouraged.Tackles were missed that will be made as defensive systems become ingrained.
Andre Pollard’s cameo appearance was reassuring. All the bad luck he has borne has not dulled his bright star. Elton Jantjies will have competition and that is good. Like New Zealand, we need a pool of stars.
One of the best parts from last week was the utter dejection of the players after the game. It was a classic, they lost by a point to the best team on the planet and exorcised the demon of Albany. However there was nothing but mystery on show after the whistle blew. They wanted to win and nothing else. That is telling and it shows that the desire is still there. It had been questioned, remember?
What happens now? What happens to Brendan Venter? What role Is Rassie going to play? Can we build on this magnificent game and be competitive in Japan? If we had won last week all of us would have taken the foot off the gas. Instead more pressure on the pedal is needed. However it is now pressure tempered with optimism.
We need effort like that every time we play. That comes with pride. We also need the skills learning process to continue at all levels. That comes with collective leadership.
Just for a minute lets forget all of that and simply celebrate a wonderful contest. A day when Springbok fans, and the world, were reminded that we are far from finished and that our chosen sport is still magnificent.
What a game!