Absa Currie Cup fans a no-show
30 Jun 2006
The not-so prestigious premier league of South African rugby saw poor turnouts in it’s opening week, and this weekend is set to see much of the same.
Rob Wagner, MD of WP Rugby has indicated that the poor attendance figures could be attributed to the poor performances of the Springboks, as well as the fact that none of those players will play Currie Cup rugby in 2006.
“I think that we underestimate the impact that the performance of the national team has on the psyche of the nation. And the three tests thus far haven’t set the nation alight with regards to the performances. Maybe that’s a reason,” the WP Rugby boss told Rugby365 editor Jan de Koning.
The figures really do put this sad story into perspective. The Sharks opening match against the Lions was the only encounter to draw over 10 000 spectators, with 15 180 paying customers attending the game.
In second place was the Vodacom Blue Bulls and Valke match which only attracted 7 492 of the usually impressive Loftus Versveld turnout. In Bloemfontein, 2 000 fans gathered to watch the central derby between the Vodacom Cheetahs and Griquas, whilst the numbers were even worse in Witbank with 2 000 being the official count for the Pumas and Province clash.
The old coastal rivalry is to be resumed tomorrow at Newlands, but Wagner fears that it may no be the big occasion it once was. The unions are said to be planning on budget cuts, as the takings at the gates are no longer sufficient.
“At this point in time, for a typical Currie Cup game, it is not good,” Wagner said. “We haven’t improved on years gone by, despite the fact that we’re in a so-called strength-versus-strength competition,” Wagner said.
“Again one has to ask, is the absence of leading players not the only reason why we have these poor attendance figures?
“”It will be interesting to see how the [rest of the] Currie Cup pans out, particularly from an attendance point of few. It had been a shock, and we’ll see what the crowd attendance is like here [at Newlands] on Saturday.”
By Jon Cardinelli
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1 Jul 2006, 13:24 pm
Lack of Depth?
More like mismanagement of available resources it seems.
Loosehead Prop
Os du Randt is the incumbent and rightly so, the man is not only experienced but also a legend to boot.
Gurthro Steenkamp – young and a huge talent needs to recover well from his long lay-off
Ollie le Roux – perhaps not a long-term option, but offers huge experience and is still a world-class player
Lawrence Sephaka – adequate if not spectacular player who has improved vastly as he matures
Deon Carstens – will have to do some hard work to recover lost ground from his drubbing in JHB vs the World XV.
Other contenders include Daan Human , Eduard Coetzee (both currently abroad), JD Moller leads the young turks and Heinke v/d Merwe will challenge in the future. Wessel Roux is a capped Springbok however dubiously and could be called on in extreme emergency as with Bok tourist Brent Moyle.
Hooker
John Smit is the incumbent and captain. There is a general consensus that he needs to lift his form at the moment.
Gary Botha – a solid hooker in the more traditional role and worthy back up to Smit.
Danie Coetsee – another old-school hooker with experience and solid presence
Hanyane Shimange – surely needs to play at some level and lose the Quota tag he represents
Other contenders include the exciting talents of Schalk Brits, Lukas v Biljon (former Bok), Tiaan Liebenberg who had such an impressive debut for the Cheetahs in Super 14 and the younger talents of Skipper Badenhorst, Bismarck du Plessis and U/21 star Chilliboy Ralepelle.
Tighthead
CJ v/d Linde is young, strong and immensely talented. He will look to secure the 3 jumper again this season after an injury lay-off.
Cobus Visagie – offers vast experience and is recognised as one of the worlds best scrummagers.
BJ Botha – can he reproduce his awesome Super 14 form at International level?
Eddie Andrews – hardworking and honest, but ultimately struggles on the highest stage.
In Richard Bands and Marius Hurter we have two capped tightheads who could both do the job, but age and form are their major stumbling blocks. In Jannie du Plessis, Daniel Muller, Danie Thiart and Sangoni Mxoli there are a number of good prospects coming through the ranks and it is up to them to step up and challenge in coming seasons.
Locks
Bakkies Botha – a legend in the making. A copybook enforcer that is vital to Bok success.
Victor Matfield – supremely talented yet often lazy player that has it in his own hands to decide how good he really can be.
Danie Roussow – has shown great form recently as replacement for Bakkies and is a great impact option.
Albert v/d Bergh – despite the march of time is still a very competitive player that can get the job done.
Other locks to be considered include the talents of former Boks Selborne Boome, Gerrie Britz, Jannes Labuschagne, Quinton Davids and legendary hardman Johan Ackerman. Add to this the emerging lights of Andries Bekker, Johan Muller, Ross Skeate and Francois van Schouwenburg and the landscape looks abundant. We can add to this department the likes of Barend Pieterse, Boela du Plooy, Corniel v Zyl, Trevor Hall and Willem Stoltz.
Loose-forwards
This is an area of riches and there is a surplus of talent to go around at blindside and number 8, but the lack of any true opensiders that can fulfil a fetching role is a concern.
Openside
Schalk Burger is a unique player and a massive cog in the Bok gameplan. Chasing Schalk are the specialised fetchers like: Luke Watson, Solly Tiyabilika, Cobus Grobbelaar, Kabamba Floors, Hendro Scholtz, Gerhard Vosloo and young Keegan Daniel. There is a lot of exciting talent, but are any of these players good enough to step up and go toe-to-toe with McCaw and company. Tim Dlulane may wear No.6 for the Bulls,but does not play in the classical fetcher role. Warren Britz is a quality player, but his best years are behind him now. Hendrik Gerber is another that has played either side, but specialises in the fetching role.
Blindsie
No shortage of candidates here either lead by Juan Smith, Jacques Cronje AJ Venter, Wikus van Heerden and the talents of youngster Pierre Spies. There are ample other candidates in: Jacques Botes (at 6,7 or 8), Nico Breedt, Braam Immelman, Warren Brosnihan and another versatile flank in Johan Wasserman. If one includes overseas based Marco Wentzel and Roland Bernard it seems there is plenty available and youngsters like Leon Karemaker, Hylton Lobberts and David Hendricks will maintain pressure.
Number 8
Joe van Niekerek, Pedrie Wannenburg and former Bok skipper Andre Vos are world-class and if you include Bobby Skinstad (given time to get fit) , Shaun Sowerby , Ryno v/d Merwe, Adri Badenhorst and relative new arrivals Frans Viljoen and Ernst Joubert there seems to be plenty of depth. Sevens star Johnathan Mokuena is another that would hope to improve his XV man prospects. Then what of Jake Boer a UK legend and eager to be Bok.
Scrumhalf
Fourie du Preez – good with the boot, but has his critics especially regarding the speed of service and passing accuracy.
Enrico Januarie – at his best a real terrier on defence and perfect for an expansive game.
Ruan Pienaar – Has the attributes to be the worlds best. A good all-round game and brilliant vision will see him go on to great things.
Bolla Conradie – Has lost his way a little of late, but is another fine half in the terrier mould.
Other players that are available include ex-boks Neil de Kock, Dave von Hoesselin, Craig Davidson and young challengers Paul Delport, Janno Vermaak, Michael Claasens, Heini Adams and Tertius Carse.
Flyhalf
Perhaps the weakest link in SA rugby at present, much to do with our desire for a ready made hero that is better than Larkham and Carter.
Andre Pretorious – good all-rounder and incumbent. Not only injury prone, but often loses the plot when the heat is on. Best of the worst at the moment.
Jaco v/d Westhysen – has had a poor start to the international season, but is a creative player. His mental ability is the biggest question mark.
Butch James – Big on defence and a good distributor when in-form he can be devastating, but out of form is plain woeful.
Meyer Bosman – Will he make it his own? Has all the hallmarks of a good flyhalf and needs to be nurtured and managed carefully.
Peter Grant, Naas Olivier, Morne Steyn, Derick Hougaard and Willem de Waal have not set the world alight and none has put his hand up convincingly. Add to this the potential of Earl Rose, Ismael Dollie, Jody Rose, Scott Spedding and Brad Barritt (if not at centre). There are many options, but at this stage none have staked a decent claim.
Centres
In Jean de Villiers and Jacque Fourie we have a potential world beating combination the question what is left after that?
De Wet Barry, Wayne Julies, Marius Joubert and emerging youngster Wynand Olivier lead the charge and there are many talented youngsters coming through amongst which the following could really shine:
Brad Barritt, Ronnie Cooke, Andries Strauss and Waylon Murray. Add to this some experienced campaigners like: JP Nel, Dries Scholtz, Conrad Stoltz, Frikkie Welsh, Trevor Halstead, Adriaan Jacobs and others like Grant Rees, Barry Goodes, Gus Theron and former Bok Gcobani Bobo it seems we have midfield men to spare. This has however been a major problem for us early on in the season.
Wingers
Breyten Paulse, Bryan Habana, Andre Snyman, Gaffie du Toit, Ashwin Willemse, Thinus Delport, Henno Mentz, Tonderai Chavhanga, Brent Russell and Dean Hall are all Springboks. Then there are the challengers: Akona & Odwa Ndungane, Wylie Human, Jorrie Muller and Giscard Pieters. With Jongi Nokwe, Cedric Mkhize,Marius Delport and Gio Ap[on in the mix there should be no worry out wide.
Fullbacks
Percy Montgommerry is the senior man and is covered by Conrad Jantjes, Werner Greeff and Johan Roets. Add to this list JP Pitersen, Joe Pietersen, Earl Rose and Bevan Fortuin with Shaun Payne a candidate from abroad there is plenty to look forward to.
There are in each position a few others I may have missed, but if that is the case then all the better. We can add to this list the names of those representing other countries like:
Matt Stevens, Pieter de Villiers, Daniel Vickerman, Clyde Rathbone, Stuart Abottt, Mike Catt, etc.
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