The one that doesn’t count
TRANSVAAL PIP AUCKLAND IN MEMORABLE MATCH IN FRONT OF MASSIVE CROWD
Inaugural final at Ellis Park was just like a Test match, remembers former Lions star Hennie le Roux.
For one of the heroes of the inaugural Super 10 winners in 1993, former Lions and Springbok flyhalf Hennie le Roux, the memory of that memorable day is still alive 24 years on.
The former Transvaal won the final 20-17 against Auckland and even though that triumph is not officially recognised as it was in the amateur days before the birth of Sanzaar – the controlling body for major Southern Hemisphere competitions – in 1996, it was the predecessor to Super Rugby.
“For us that final was as big as a Test match and the biggest match of its time,” said Le Roux yesterday.
The star-studded Transvaal team lead by Bok skipper Francois Pienaar and coached by the late Kitch Christie formed the nucleus of the 1995 Bok squad which would win the World Cup just two years later.
“One must remember during the time of that final we hadn’t participated in any World Cup tournament,” said Le Roux.
“So in a way we wanted to make a statement that South Africa could compete and belonged on the world stage.”
Le Roux remembered that a massive crowd of 55 000 people packed the stadium where heroes like centre Japie Mulder, lock Kobus Wiese and hooker Uli Schmidt formed part of one of the best Transvaal sides of its time.
“I remembered we won everything that year, from the Currie Cup, the Super 10, the Lions Cup and the Percy Frames trophy – I think which was for scoring the most tries. It was really a great side,” said Le Roux.
Le Roux remembered them falling 17-10 behind shortly after the break after leading 10-0 early in the first half.
“What I remember from those days is that we only really started playing when we were behind, very much like the Lions team of this year,” he said. “Not that I’m saying they must fall behind this weekend before they start playing. But in those days we had so much belief in our abilities that we weren’t worried that we would catch up eventually.”
Le Roux has a message for the class of 2017 if they want to repeat the heroics of 1994.
“I’m getting very worried when they start running inside their own 22. They will have to make good decisions and take the points when they are on offer,” cautioned Le Roux.