Currie Cup latest (Tues)
21 Sep 2010
Keo.co.za brings you the news from the Currie Cup.
Cheetahs change two
Naka Drotske has opted to start Riaan Smit at fullback and WP Nel at prop against the Pumas.
Nel replaces Kobus Calldo while Smit comes in for Hennie Daniller. Daniller is being rested after playing every Currie Cup game to date.
Cheetahs – 15 Riaan Smit, 14 Philip Snyman, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Louis Strydom, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Philip Van der Walt, 6 Hendro Scholtz, 5 David de Villiers, 4 Francois Uys, 3 WP Nel , 2 Adriaan Strauss (c), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Subs: 16 Skipper Badenhorst, 17 Kobus Calldo, 18 Izak van der Westhuizen, 19 Kabamba Floors, 20 Tertius Carse, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Corné Uys.
Basson’s a Bull
Bjorn Basson has signed a new deal with the Bulls which starts from 1 November.
The Springbok wing was committed to Griquas and the Cheetahs until the end of 2011 but the Bulls paid a transfer fee to get the player released from his contract. Griquas CEO Arni van Rooyen confirmed the move on Tuesday but refused to reveal the amount paid for the player.
Botha ready to rumble
Gary Botha has recovered from a head knock and will be available for the Bulls this weekend.
The Bulls skipper as well as lock Fudge Mabeta have been cleared for the game against the Leopards. Flank Deon Stegmann will undergo a fitness test on Tuesday, and could well feature in Potchefstroom.
Province lose Liebenberg
Tiaan Liebenberg will play no further part in the Currie Cup.
The WP hooker injured his ankle against the Cheetahs three weeks ago and coach Allister Coetzee is not expecting him back any time soon. Liebenberg’s injury was supposed to sideline him for six weeks, but WP management have confirmed he won’t be fit for the play-offs.
Back-up flyhalf Lionel Cronje missed last week’s game with a hamstring problem, and won’t be risked against Griquas this Friday.
Black players don’t want quotas
Sarpa chief executive Piet Heymans says Saru should consider changes to its competition structures to ensure that promising black players don’t disappear between U21 and senior level.
‘The players’ position is that they want equal opportunities. If they are good enough, they want to play. No player wants to be viewed as a quota player and everybody wants to be there on merit. Black players are not in favour of quotas. Their plea is for equal playing opportunities and game time,’ said Heymans.
‘Saru should be creative with the competition structures and see if there is a way of making the transition from junior to senior level easier. The bigger provinces should also be more willing to loan players they aren’t using to smaller provinces. It is happening already, but the system can be utilised even better.’
The Vodacom Cup will still be played next year, but an age limit may be applied from 2012 onwards. One possibility is to make it an U23 competition, while there is also a school of thought that it should make way for a super club competition.
Heymans said it is wrong for Saru to criticise the provinces without doing something about it.
‘As governing body of rugby, Saru have the ability to do something about the [transformation] issue. The question is just whether the leadership is strong enough to really do something about it.’
WP’s timing spot on
Allister Coetzee believes Western Province are building momentum at the perfect time.
Province suffered a mid-season slump when they lost three consecutive matches against the Sharks, Cheetahs and Lions.
However, with three rounds remaining before the play-offs, WP have won their last two games against the Leopards (59-17) and Pumas (62-10) comfortably and displayed the kind of form they had during their six-match winning streak at the start of the season. They are currently second on the log with 38 points.
‘Things are coming together nicely for us and it is especially important at this time of the season,’ said Coetzee. ‘This is the period when you want to be playing well and putting good performances together.
‘We face three tough games now [against Griquas, the Bulls and Sharks] before hopefully we go into the play-offs, so this is the time when we need to step up our performance.’
500 Comments
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21 Sep 2010, 10:19 am
@Tacitus(Tacitus)-192: Yeah I was, and I am also the guy that doesn’t use times from matric run on a running track as a measurement of a decent wing, or as a measurement of someones pace during a rugby game.
Lombard from the Cheetahs had great straight line speed, but did nothing when he had the ball. Couldn’t step, couldn’t beat a man, couldn’t speed up and slow down in order to hit a gap, etc. Mapoe might be slow straight line speed on a running track, but when he has the ball in his hands, he has the ability to beat players and find space. That is what you want in a wing.
21 Sep 2010, 10:21 am
seems both Sharks and bulls fans frothing at the mouth for JDJ….
hope rassie is aware of the vultures circling.
21 Sep 2010, 10:21 am
@John Galt(John Galt)-193:
I beg to differ… the relief is palpable and due to the fact that finanlly they have a decent wing and can now relegate Pantoffel v/d Heever back to Tukkies and the Varsity Cup
21 Sep 2010, 10:22 am
@grant10(grant10)-202: Hopefully Rassie is still trying to get his 20/20 rugby off the ground.
21 Sep 2010, 10:23 am
@WOLFMAN21(WOLFMAN21)-87: Well would you play him ahead of Jean or Jaque, best centre combo in the world? i wouldnt…
21 Sep 2010, 10:24 am
@gunther(gunther)-197:
Aaaah Gunter….. Didnt realise you could now swear on the site again.
I sense some form of normality returning
21 Sep 2010, 10:25 am
For the Bulls I would play Akona and Bjorn on the wings…
or alternatively Akona at 15 and van der Heever and Bjorn on the wings. (It’s just caus Zane is so ****)
21 Sep 2010, 10:26 am
@WOLFMAN21(WOLFMAN21)-201:
Talking about Friedrich Lombard, I remember when he played wing for the Bulls in the S12. Playing a game in NZ, the Bulls spread the ball to him in their own 22 – I think it was against the Hurricanes.
The Kiwi commentators were suitably surprised but in no way alarmed.
“The ball goes to Lombard and he finds a bit of space on the wing.”
” He rounds his man” (Tone of voice rising ever so slightly).
“Cullen coming in on the cover defense to close the gap.” (Kiwi voice confident and even slightly condescending.
“Now it’s a footrace.” (Voice slightly perplexed as Cullen doesn’t seem to be making any headway).
“This boys got wheels to burn!” (Amazement as Cullen is left behind as if he is wearing lead shoes).
That was a good rugby moment for me.
21 Sep 2010, 10:28 am
@grant10(grant10)-202:
I hope he doesnt go to the Sharks where they will stuff him up just like they did to Waylon Murray.
There again the Bulls arent to pretty with their centres either…
21 Sep 2010, 10:28 am
@grant10(grant10)-202: Really? Do you think JdJ will want to move from Province? I think he seems very settled there, but then there is Fourie, so maybe you could be right.
If so hope Sharks can get him
21 Sep 2010, 10:30 am
@WOLFMAN21(WOLFMAN21)-201: Your last two lines spot on. Agree.
21 Sep 2010, 10:30 am
Tac, agree with you that Basson is a brilliant propesct!
What I find most interesting is the Zeff-meister’s ability to be a utility back. Damn that kid rocks. I see somebody mentioned he played FB previously as well. WTF? What distinguishes him from our previous Jack of All Trades (Brent Russel, Ruan and Frans) is his ability to make a position his own. Granted he’s only proven himself at Wing and SH but fundementally I don’t see an issue with him playing 13 or 15 (speed, strength, tackle technique kicking game). Within a couple of games he delivers a performance the is merits selection in that position. THAT my friends is the mark of true class.
The only thing that counts against him for a long term outside back role is his size, but he makes up for that with the heart of a Bok!
21 Sep 2010, 10:30 am
@WP_(WP_)-205: Not sure if JDV and Jacque are the best centre combination in the world any-more. JDV appeared to be off his game in the Tri-Nations, and he didn’t combine very well with Jacque.
21 Sep 2010, 10:30 am
@WOLFMAN21(WOLFMAN21)-201: Yeah……agree 100%. Why not just go to the SA junior champs….and take all the finalists in the 100m and sign them up?? A wing should have speed BUT a lot more is required…and there is where Shadow the Hurdler falls short.
21 Sep 2010, 10:31 am
@Puma(Puma)-210: sharks got enough problems with Mapoe…..i reckon you boys sort out your high court date with Cheetahs Thursday 1 st before attemting more trouble with Cape Towns favorite son.
21 Sep 2010, 10:33 am
@Two Eyed(Two Eyed)-214: Too be fair, Hurdles has the step to go with his pace. That try against the Highlanders was sweet, and has shown to have more than pace on a couple of occasions. He is still very much a work in progress, but isn’t just a straight line runner.
21 Sep 2010, 10:33 am
@Puma(Puma)-210: Havent you Sharks poached enough already? To add to your current backline you’ve already bought JL Potgieter, Meyer Bosman fo next and you’ve Andre Pretoruis on the bench
Where would you fit him in? I doubt he’d want to go to Durban to be honest mate
21 Sep 2010, 10:33 am
my view on F Hougaard….leave him alone at 9 now…..he will have plenty of opportunity in the super 15…..FDP will be nursed along…../so both can play plenty.
Dont shunt the oke around just because he is good enough.
21 Sep 2010, 10:34 am
@WOLFMAN21(WOLFMAN21)-213: @Two Eyed(Two Eyed)-214:
Name me the best wings in the world, and then list all the ones that are not fast.
Pace certainly doesn’t guarantee that a wing will be great. But lack of pace pretty much guarantees that he will never be more than average.
Pace therefore is a prerquisite. It is a foundation, without which you are pretty much stuck in the realm of mediocrity, if you are wing.
21 Sep 2010, 10:35 am
@WOLFMAN21(WOLFMAN21)-213: Give them a few more games together to gel and then you’ll be singing a different tune
21 Sep 2010, 10:35 am
@grant10(grant10)-215: CT’s favourite son,lol. The Sharks will never buy Donkey De Villiers – never in a million years…
21 Sep 2010, 10:36 am
@WP_(WP_)-207: Thank heavens you are not involved in any team choices!
Akona @ 15???
21 Sep 2010, 10:37 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-221: talking about JDJ….not donkey.
21 Sep 2010, 10:37 am
Why on earth do you want to move JDJ from WP. The BUlls will only stuff up his talent. All they do is kick and chase. I recon Jean de Villiers will probably leave after the WC.
21 Sep 2010, 10:37 am
@Falken(Falken)-222: I dont really give a stuff its the Bulls we’re talking about…
Dont rate Zane at all…
21 Sep 2010, 10:37 am
@Bod(bod)-206:
good to see you are out on parole.
you can’t keep a good comrade down.
21 Sep 2010, 10:38 am
@grant10(grant10)-223: JdJ is not CT’s favourite son… Donkey is, thats why he is 1st choice… like primadonna Joe over aplon
21 Sep 2010, 10:39 am
@grant10(grant10)-223: Hey dont you call Jean a donkey, I wont have that
21 Sep 2010, 10:40 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-227: Talking of Donkey’s, Oupa Terblanche should have retired years ago
21 Sep 2010, 10:40 am
@Tacitus(Tacitus)-219: I agree with you completely. You need pace as a foundation when playing wing.
Where I disagree with you is comparing wings based on how quickly they ran on a running track in Matric. That pace provides a foundation, the true genius of a wing comes in what he can do with that pace, and how he uses that pace in a game of rugby.
Player A might be quicker than player B over 100 metres on a track, but player B might better understand how to use his pace, where to position himself, how to swerve, where the space is etc.
Take a player like Joe Roff – he was deceptively fast, in that he was actually slower than you thought he was. Slow over 100 metres on a track, quick on a rugby field, with ball in hand and players to beat.
21 Sep 2010, 10:42 am
@WP_(WP_)-220: Maybe, but JDV appears to have regressed as a player during his stint in Ireland. I hope he redevelops his passing game, and doesn’t continue to try and be a crash ball who than tries to offload in the tackle.
21 Sep 2010, 10:42 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-227: not so sure……seems JDJ is the MAN here in CT…..wp in a pickle….for my money i would stick with the JDV….JDJ combo for rest of CC….let JF play off bench.
By the way i heard Plod not going to play again in CC this year….great news for Sharks…
@WP_(WP_)-228: Sorry bud…..its that bloody HG being a bad influence
21 Sep 2010, 10:42 am
@WOLFMAN21(WOLFMAN21)-230: What did vd Heever run in Matric?
Koster ran 10.9 on grass into a wind…
Means nothing now though…
21 Sep 2010, 10:42 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-221:
Fark boet you all had hard ons when there was a possibilty of JDEV going to the Sharks……now he’s suddenly a donkey ??? more skill and brains in his little finger than the entire Sharks backline !!!!!!
Only a sses are the deluded sardine boys !!!!
21 Sep 2010, 10:43 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-227: Jdj can fulfill his potential at the Sharks. The benchmark in terms of performance, professionalism and coaching at the moment – Numero Uno in the CC… and thats where they will stay… team of the 90′s gonna be team of the 10′s… Yeah JdJ will fit in nicely.
21 Sep 2010, 10:43 am
@WOLFMAN21(WOLFMAN21)-230:
I was waiting for the Joe Roff example to be put forward.
Wasn’t he the guy who was chased down from behind by Jeff Wilson after a 20m headstart and with an open tryline in front of him?
Granted, he was a good finisher. But give me a good finisher with super pace instead of just a good finisher with average pace anyday.
21 Sep 2010, 10:43 am
@WP_(WP_)-217: I know WP. Just joking there. BUT I rate De Jongh plenty. Great player that.
21 Sep 2010, 10:44 am
@WOLFMAN21(WOLFMAN21)-231: Maybe so, but hopefully not… I still rate him highly, agreed less crash ball is needed…
@grant10(grant10)-232: No worries
, how are we going to juggle our centres next year bud?
21 Sep 2010, 10:45 am
@justrugby(justrugby)-234: Cr.ap man, show me the evidence… Never rated the Donkey… Frans Steyn has always been better at 12 – WC winning 12 that…
21 Sep 2010, 10:45 am
@WP_(WP_)-229: Not until after the CC. Stefan is doing just fine right now. But after the CC agree.
21 Sep 2010, 10:45 am
@Puma(Puma)-237: haha ok, and Mapoe!
Was just wondering if your boys had forgotten you can only field 7 backs at a time!
21 Sep 2010, 10:47 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-227:
I guess you haven’t watched rugby the past 3 months. Joe Pietersen’s left Cape Town quite a while back for France.
Just thought you’d like to know…
21 Sep 2010, 10:47 am
@Tacitus(Tacitus)-236: I agree with you – a good finisher with super pace above a good finisher with average pace.
But I would rather have a super finisher with good pace on a rugby field, than a good finisher with super pace on a track.
Look at O’Connor for example – not quick over a 100metres, but he has the footwork and brains to finish tries, and make line breaks.
Once again, pace on a track is very different to pace on a rugby field with players in front of you and the ball in your hands.
21 Sep 2010, 10:48 am
@Puma(Puma)-240: I think he kicks far too much but he’s solid enough, when Bosman arrives he’s got to go… But do you think Lambie’s best position is 10 or 15, clearly the Sharks think 15 given that JLP is arriving
21 Sep 2010, 10:48 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-239: Frans Steyn at 12…mmmm….nope!
21 Sep 2010, 10:48 am
@Tacitus(Tacitus)-236: Naqelevuki
21 Sep 2010, 10:49 am
@WP_(WP_)-225: Then dont talk about the Bulls!
21 Sep 2010, 10:49 am
@WP_(WP_)-238: Offload one of them to the Bulls – and let the Bulls choose which one!
21 Sep 2010, 10:49 am
@WP_(WP_)-238: lots of rugby to be played next year…..plenty of opportunity for all concerned….big squads required…..with Whitehead and P Bosch things look ok for stormers……ust not lose JDJ ….he is going to be a great.
Stormers need to also retain JC Kritzinger …..
And get another class lock.
I am piss ed off about Hoffmann….sharks got a beaut there….but hear stories that Kockitt headed to Cape Town….so that will be cool.
21 Sep 2010, 10:49 am
@grant10(grant10)-215: Well never even knew we were interested in JdJ Grant, until I read your post. Agree with WP we have enough good players coming to Sharks. So really don’t think we will be going after JdJ (Though I rate him highly, fantastic player)
We will get the Mapoe thing sorted don’t you worry about it okay
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