Cheetahs the champs as Currie Cup delivers
THE Free State Cheetahs finished the South African domestic season as worthy winners of the 85th Currie Cup when they beat the Pumas on Saturday.
It was the Bloemfontein-based team’s seventh championship, and a fabulous reminder that the Cup and its champions deserve their place in the South African rugby landscape. The quality of the tournament was also excellent, especially in its second half as the franchises selected their first-choice players.
It elevated the standard of the smaller unions immensely. There were riveting, physical encounters that were full of that characteristic brutality that our rugby is known for, while also unleashing moments of exhilarating play.
All the teams should be well proud of what rugby they served up. But now, the real work begins.
In a fortnight, the Springboks will start their campaign to defend their Rugby World Cup crown when they play their first match of the international season against the Wallabies.
On July 8 they play at Loftus Versfeld in the Rugby Championship, before facing the All Blacks away in New Zealand and then finishing up the competition against Argentina.
A handful of warm-up matches follow, before they open their World Cup tournament in France against Scotland on September 10 in Marseille.
The Boks have quietly gone about their business in Pretoria these past weeks, with most of the focus and pressure concentrated on host France and early favourites Ireland.
In the last two weeks, director of rugby Rassie Erasmus and head coach Jacques Nienaber have spoken with reserved confidence.
From the limited interaction that the media has had with the duo, it seems that their plan is coming together nicely.
They have bolstered their stocks with Jean Kleyn, built impressive depth all over the team in every position, while they are reportedly managing the various injuries – including that of captain Siya Kolisi, whose recovery is on track.
It has been a good season for SA Rugby so far, but in a few weeks time, the extent of how great it will be will start revealing itself.