Bulls and the Sharks set up a clash of the titans

WHO could ever have dreamt that we would be talking about a Currie Cup rugby final on January 30, slapbang in the middle of summer?

But tomorrow’s final between the Bulls and the Sharks is just one of the many examples of the serious Covid-19 challenges to the sporting calendar.

The Currie Cup season itself has also, at times, been severely disrupted. Therefore, it is with relief that the Bulls and Sharks have been able to report a clean bill of health this week. The decision by SA Rugby to postpone the semi-finals by a week has turned out to be a wise move.

Now for the final. Most pundits predicted a “North versus South” final, but Western Province failed to live up to expectations, and their last match at Newlands turned out to be a bitter disappointment for Cape fans. The famous old ground deserved better.

Still, all credit to the Sharks for taking their chances in the semi, and they will certainly be worthy opponents in tomorrow’s showpiece.

The Lions, who lost to the Bulls in the semis, will also be looking forward to a bright future.

The Bulls, though, have been the pace-setters. Love him or hate him, there can be no denying that coach Jake White has played a huge role in the resurgence of the Pretoria team. South Africa’s 2007 World Cup-winning coach has made some astute signings and put together a formidable support structure of coaches.

Most of all, on the field of play, the Bulls have been able to seamlessly switch between adventure and caution, with old hands like Morne Steyn and Duane Vermeulen blending nicely with a crop of exciting youngsters. That is why the Bulls are favourites to win their first Currie Cup title since 2009. Not that the Sharks will take any notice of that.

Let’s hope it is a crackerjack final and that Jaco Peyper keeps his whistle in his pocket as much as possible. As they say in the classics, may the best team on the day lift the golden Currie Cup.