Jacob Zuma — in the finest tradition of South African presidents confirming the support of a nation for the country’s top athletes — wished the players well and assured them that they had their countrymen behind them.
Zuma magic, like that of former president’s Mandela and Mbeki before him, worked wonders at what had been anticipated as a close encounter. He also looked adorable in his Blue Bulls jersey.
Indeed, it worked even better than expected as it crowned a day in which the Springbok Sevens clinched the world series — making South Africa the only country to hold both world titles at the same time.
It also made it the first time that a South African rugby team had won two Super 14 titles and began the building of a legacy that may one day serve the game of rugby worldwide in the same way as Manchester United in football and the New York Yankees in baseball do right now.
The building of the brand in earnest began at Loftus Versfeld at about 5.30pm on Saturday the 30th of May 2009. As the home team emerged from the tunnel they were hit with a wall of noise that is unique to their fanatical supporters and contrasted with the booing that the 50 000-plus crowd gave the Chiefs upon their arrival. Everywhere you looked it was a sea of blue.
Ironically, with the Springbok team due to be announced on Monday and with the ongoing debate over which emblem is suitable for the national side, the Blue Bulls — with their traditional Protea — should form the backbone of the team to meet the British and Irish Lions. Considering that every Blue Bull was contender for man of the match it’s going to be hard work justifying any exclusion from the squad.
From the kick-off the Bulls went on the rampage and it came as something of a shock when, instead of taking the lead, Zane Kirchner’s up-and-under was fielded by Stephen Donald (surely now confirmed as an All Black) who surged down the right and released Leila Masaga to score the first try under the poles. Loftus was stunned.
The riposte was quick and signalled that conceding the first seven pointer was merely a source of irritation. After another Bulls surge downfield, Fourie du Preez took a five metre tap penalty and sneaked over to level the scores. Where moments before the Chiefs were giving each other high fives, they now gathered under their poles and wondered how the Bulls had breached the meanest defence in the Super 14 with such ease.
Unfortunately for them, it would get a lot uglier.
Du Preez would soon add a second try while Bryan Habana grabbed two more and with Morne Steyn kicking all the conversions as well as a penalty, the Chiefs were left dead and buried 7 — 34 at halftime. The team who had been the pride of New Zealand all season was left to lick its wounds and somehow try to regroup for the second half.
Surely it couldn’t get any worse.
It did.
While the Chiefs managed a try through their captain and wonderful ambassador Mils Muliaini, the Bulls gored back with four more from captain Victor Matfield, man of the match Wynand Olivier, Pierre Spies and Danie — don’t stand in this oke’s way — Rossouw.
It was a mauling the likes of which we have not seen in many, many years and which left the Bulls as record finalist winners at 61 — 17.
To single out a Blue Bull hero would be unfair — they were all magnificent. More so when you consider that this is a great Chiefs side (no sarcasm intended). Perhaps the altitude and it being their first final proved a little too much on the day. No question they will be back.
Throughout the season we witnessed a Blue Bulls team grow in strength and stature. Last week they dismissed a Crusaders side which had previously set all the benchmarks for this tournament and that after trailing 7-20 at one point. If the Crusaders were bemused at that effort the Chiefs were blown away by this one.
Frans Ludeke, who many of us laughed off at the beginning of the season, has proved to be a worthy coach of the Blue Bulls and who knows, perhaps a Springbok coach of the future? Right now I’m sure he is happy to stay with the “Proteas”.
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