It’s funny what a few weeks can do to change the complexion of things. The Tri-Nations was still under way, the Sharks and Western Province looked to be favourites (touch wood there for all those wearing blue and white … it’s been a very long time) and Griquas looked to be ruining the established province’s tea party with the Cheetahs the most likely team to miss out on a knock-out place.
How things change indeed. With one week to go before the knock-out stages, Western Province is in the driver’s seat to book themselves a home final if they make it that far. Their only concern is that the team that stands in their way, the Lions, mustered some courage and a boat-load of guts to push the Sharks as far as they did over the weekend. When the Stormers were tasked with beating the Lions in last year’s Super 14, needing a bonus-point victory to secure a place in the semis, the Joburgers found some extra bottle and denied their Cape visitors.
Nothing gets a team that isn’t firing on all cylinders than the chance to screw over their rivals. Western Province better not be expecting to roll over the Lions because they will be given a rude surprise. The same can be said of the Sharks who head to Kimberley needing to achieve the same feat to heap the pressure onto Allister Coetzee’s men. Griquas aren’t in forth place for nothing, with Kimberley proving to be a bit of a hotbed for away teams, especially with the ground being as hard as Bakkies Botha’s shoulder (ask Adam Jones). With the Kimberley outfit needing two points to ensure they make the knock-outs, it’s going to be one hell of clash. Do or die time … that is for sure.
The prize cannot be starker in relation to what there is to lose. Whoever ends up second will have the shitty luck of facing a Blue Bulls outfit that is currently cantering but readying itself for a full-blown charge, wrecking the hopes of the poor bastards who stand in their way. Even though they will be playing away from home, with Springboks bursting from every seam like a rotund bungee jumper, they are the boogie men no one will want to face till at least the final. At least then, anything can happen.
And there is the omnipresent spectre of the Free State Cheetahs who proved last week that when they get going, they really get going, playing an energetic and skilful brand of rugby that is dangerous for any opponent on the day. If there is a side where the members of the match-day 22, let alone the starting XV, would be willing to take a punch in the crotch for their team-mates, it is the Cheetahs.
It’s going to be another cracking week of rugby for what has been another excellent and absorbing season for the Currie Cup. The official knock-outs are next week, but the games have already begun …
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