CHEETAHS HAVE THE EDGE
Who’ll stand tall after 80 minutes? Rugby writer JACQUES VAN DER WESTHUYZEN matches up the Cheetahs and Bulls teams ahead of tomorrow’s Currie Cup final in Bloemfontein and finds that the home team, unbeaten in nine matches in the competition, just edge t
BACK-THREE
CHEETAHS THEY’RE fast, they’re powerful and they’re try-hungry. Just last week Sergeal Petersen scored a hat-trick against the Lions, while let’s not write off the attacking threat posed by fullback Clayton Blommetjies and left wing Raymond Rhule. If there is a weakness it’s Blommetjies sometimes trying to do the extraordinary when a simple clearance kick would do. Score: 8
BULLS LIKE their opponents, a trio of seriously formidable men, who love nothing more than to run with the ball. You’re not going to see much kicking from Ulrich Beyers, Travis Ismaiel and Jamba Ulengo, who’s scored seven tries to be joint top try-scorer. Defensively, they’re not to be sniffed at so expect the two sets of wings to keep each other on their toes. Score: 8
MIDFIELD
ONE of the main reasons why the home team have been so devastating with ball in hand is because Nico Lee has enjoyed a fabulous two months. And, together with his skipper Francois Venter, they’ve carved up all-comers this season. Work-horses and wonderful distributors of the ball, the Bulls will have their work cut out to keep these two men out the game. Score: 8
BURGER Odendaal and Dries Swanepoel waited a long time for their chance at the big time and it’s come in the last few weeks; the pair producing scintillating rugby in the midfield. Both are powerful strike runners, but they also know how to put the men on their sides into gaps. We’re in for a stunning battle between the centres. Score: 7
HALF-BACKS
SHAUN Venter and Niel Marais weren’t the first choice players in their positions at the start of the competition, but they’ve developed a wonderful partnership and are now the heartbeat of their team.
Marais, especially, is a smart operator who makes good decisions; his biggest test tomorrow will be knocking over the kicks at goal. Score: 8
FLYHALF Tian Schoeman sits comfortably at the top of the competition point scorers’ list with 137, including two tries, and he’ll be the man his teammates look towards to provide the spark.
But more will depend on the nippy and hugely experienced Rudy Paige, a player who simply isn’t regarded highly enough. Score: 7
LOOSE-TRIO
FROM No 8 Niell Jordaan, who scored a fabulous try last weekend, through blindside flank Uzair Cassiem, to openside Paul Schoeman, it’s a back-row to be taken very seriously.
It took coach Franco Smith a while to find the right combination but in these men he’s hit the jackpot.
Cassiem especially has been a revelation. Score: 8
CAPTAIN and No 8 Arno Botha hasn’t quite reached the heights of a few years ago but he’s still a formidable player, but it’s Jannes Kirsten, with his strong runs and linking play, who’s caught the attention. And Roelof Smit, too, has been a real find … they’re a trio who’ve settled nicely and are performing very well. Score: 7
TIGHT-FIVE
YOU know there’s something special happening in the Cheetahs pack when they’re able to disrupt the Lions; and that’s what they did last weekend. None of the heavies are household names but they will be soon. Sadly, Ox Nche (leg injury) shifts to the bench with Charles Marais coming in, but they remain a powerful scrumming side and almost just as good in the line-outs. Score: 7
THEY’RE going to miss lock RG Snyman but Jason Jenkins is a more than capable replacement, while Marvin Orie has been excellent. And no-one will like coming up against Jacobie Adriaanse, Jaco Visagie and Lizo Gqoboka at scrum-time. It’s going to be a sensational scrum battle, with the Bulls edging their opponents in the line-outs. Score: 7
BENCHES
IT’S a dynamic and very mobile bench, with Nche sure to make a big impact later on, while Tian Meyer, Fred Zeilinga and especially Rayno Benjamin, giving their team plenty of zip when they’re called upon.
Benjamin, at 33, is a real flyer and he’ll lift his team if needed. Score: 6
IT’S a mixture of youth and experience, but in Bandise Maku and Hanro Liebenberg they have players who can lift the tempo, while for rookies Ivan van Zyl (a hero a week ago) and Joshua Stander this will be their biggest moments on a rugby field.
Bjorn Basson could play a key role. Score: 7