Then there were two

Like a Parktown prawn that laughs in the face of doom, the Currie Cup continues to show a resilience that belies the crowded environment of its scheduling every season. Players keep going, or get injured and in most cases come back a few weeks later. Coaches exhaust the Standard Advised Media Etiquette protocol as the competition reaches into its second month. Snor de Villiers will be in the news for something and the latest trend to hit the market, players saying “fob off” to a respective union over a contract dispute. The Jacque Fourie saga, fuelled in part by the media themselves, was given wide coverage. He had been preceded by Bakkies Botha’s proposed move to France a few seasons ago, but this time the player got what he wanted.

As soon as that happened, with the Lions leading the way, power between the employer and the employee has shifted. South Africa’s labour laws are derived from its Constitution, one of the, if not the most progressive constitutions in world. Professionalism has now crossed into the new frontier where players have more rights from a legal standpoint than ever before. Lionel Mapoe’s continued absence from the Cheetahs, even after court action, is getting to the point of childish. The Sharks aren’t blameless by any stretch either, letting Mapoe train with the Durban-based side along with waiving a cheque book in his face.

The final this year is being contested by the two most deserving teams who played the most consistent brand of rugby in comparison to their provincial rivals. The Sharks, through the likes of Beast Mtawarira, Willem Alberts, Ryan Kankowski and Keegan Daniel have a group of forwards with a very useful bag of tricks. Patrick Lambie’s almost inevitable gravitation to pivot has worked wonders, finally breaking the two season long curse that seemed to exist at No 10 in a black shirt. Heck, even Andre Pretorius is back on the playing field, which is fantastic to see. Times are good in Durban, with this campaign suggesting that the top two places in the South African conference of the new Super 15 next season is going to be a humdinger. Western Province has continued their excellent season, reaching their second final of the year but this time in the Streep Trui. Allister Coetzee — a certainty to replace Peter de Villiers if Snor makes it to the end of the World Cup … which he will — would’ve been concerned about WP’s mid-season wobble. But their start was of such a standard that they were left with enough breathing room to secure a home semi-final at Newlands, always a tough place to visit. Duane Vermeulen has continued his excellent form from the Super 14 this year, and coupled with his fine season last year, has been rewarded with a place in the Springbok training group and most likely a ticket to Europe.

Willem de Waal has done what he does best, and in the process become the second highest points scorer in Currie Cup history, behind the Naas Botha. De Waal has always been a player that embodies that old advertising slogan “No thrills, no fuss. Just good value”. He was never a firm fan favourite, but his commitment and courage has never been in doubt, and as a professional he is a model by which many young and up-and-comers would do well to emulate. If he were to lift the silver one last time, he would deserve it.

It must be said that it is refreshing not having the Blue Bulls in the final. Their dominance has been such over the last seven years it became very boring whenever the Blue Bulls appeared in the final, playing Bulls rugby. Thankfully, the rugby gods have finally decreed that this year, the coast will grab it. The men from Pretoria will be back … they always come back.

The side that won the hearts and minds of neutrals everywhere and MIA supporters were the Lions. The Joburgers had an average age hovering around 24 most of the season but in the process unearthed some rough diamonds that given time, will continue to rise in value. Elton Jantjies was a revelation at No 10, and backed by his brash cohorts with the assistance of larger men like Waylon Murray (he only knows one way), some damn fine rugby was played. Oh sure, that 36-0 drubbing on the opening day of the season still stings, but they finished this year’s campaign in far better shape than the Lions were in at the end of a frankly shit Super 14. John Mitchell in allegiance with a fresh administration are steering the course towards their rivals, and given enough room, might just surprise. Special mention the Lions coach, who felt the pinch of the South Africa crime bug but has carried it through.

The Cheetahs also played some good rugby, as one would expect from the Free Staters. Juan Smith’s value to his team is immeasurable, while the likes of Ashley Johnston, Meyer Bosman and Henni Daniller always cause problems when on the ticker. Their semi-final appearance was just desserts for another good season from a union that if left to be, would dominate the rugby landscape, such is the strength of schools rugby in the region and more specifically around Bloemfontein.

With the Springboks in the mix, the sides offer intriguing qualities. The homeside have the edge up-front with their all-Springbok front row of the Du Plessis brothers and Mtawarira. While the WP loose would be able to deal with their Shark counterparts quite effectively, the front row is the most important battle. If the Sharks gain ascendency in the scrums, their control at the rucks is most likely guaranteed. WP may have a backline so stuffed with Springboks someone has to get left out, the Sharks are a settled outfit, which as a unit should be able to contend with their more illustrious counterparts. Mind you JP Pietersen, Lambie, Stefan Terblanche and Lwazi Mvovo might disagree.

If I were to hang my hat on a stand, it must be the men in black. The Sharks are the homeside, a big advantage in the margins, and coupled with their forward dominance should mean a final that will be tight, within a seven-point margin most likely, but the Durbanites will win it.

On to the Absa Stadium and a new champion.