Power to powder blue
Keo, in his News24 column, reminds the Muppits that Saturday’s Currie Cup winner was identified some time ago.
This is what I wrote in my column on September 27:
‘One team of the top five is going to miss out and it is going to be the Lions. Brave and brilliant in the last seven matches, the Lions will curse their early season experiments that cost them easy points. Lesson learned by Eugene Eloff who will not easily again surrender league points to prove a point to his senior players.
‘The Cheetahs will lose in Pretoria on Saturday but still end top of the table, with the Bulls ending second on points difference from Western Province who’ll take the five league points at Newlands. The Sharks will hammer the Falcons to set up another trip to Bloemfontein and a semi-final exit from the competition.
‘The Sharks, my early season call to win the competition, have mixed and matched so much this season that they cost themselves a home semi-final and with that any chance of winning the competition. The Sharks can’t beat the Cheetahs at the moment. In the other semi-final match-up Western Province will travel to Loftus and this time there won’t be an ambush.
‘I’m tipping the Bulls to win on Saturday, win against Province the next week and then travel to Bloemfontein and set the record straight for last season’s defeat to the Cheetahs in the final.’
Are these words, written more than two weeks ago, to be viewed as some sort of prophecy? Absolutely not. Because I also wrote in May that the Waratahs would win the Super 14 and the Wallabies would triumph in the Tri Nations.
Domestically, though, it was always going to be the Bulls once the Sharks started fading through excessive experiment.
That’s why I could write with such conviction on September 27 as to how the Bulls march to the trophy would unfold. It is now October 11 and nothing in my view has changed. I am still backing the Bulls to go to Bloemfontein and win. Individually, they are a better unit and cohesively they have made as much impact as the Cheetahs in the last month.
Take nothing away from Ollie le Roux and Rassie Erasmus. The former, in his role as captain, has been inspirational. The latter is the most exciting thing to happen to the South African coaching scene. He is talented, innovative and definitely not a one season wonder. South Africa rugby is healthier in the coaching department because of Rassie’s emergence.
But if you want to know why the Cheetahs won’t win on Saturday, then you simply have to look at the tight five composition of the Bulls and the kicking game of Derick Hougaard at flyhalf. The tight five will set up the victory for the visitors and Hougaard’s boot will close the deal.
There won’t be much in the final, but all you need to win it is one point.
Statistics favour the Bulls. They’ve lost just one out of their last 10 against the Cheetahs, while winning the last four in Bloemfontein. The defeat happened to be in last year’s final and it took a miraculous comeback and the bounce of the oval ball to sink them.
The surprise element a year ago was with the Cheetahs, but this weekend there won’t be any such tricks in the party packs handed out during the final. The Bulls know exactly what to expect and they are in no doubt as to what they have to do to succeed. This is a victory that will be fashioned on preparation as much as execution and with Heyneke Meyer back from his overseas travels his input is crucial.
Pote Human has settled as Bulls coach, but Meyer’s technical and analytical contribution will be massive to the Bulls success. He remains the Director of Rugby at the Bulls and the man in charge.
The Bulls have been the form team in South African rugby in the last month. They’ve put 50 past the Sharks in Durban, given the Cheetahs 41 points in Pretoria and scored 45 comfortably against Western Province a week ago. They’re scoring tries with ease and Hougaard is kicking well.
Gary Botha’s captaincy has been outstanding and the tight five are fronting for each challenge. The Cheetahs, this season, have thrived on forward domination against most teams. The exception has been when playing the Bulls. That is why they lost in Bloemfontein earlier in the competition, got hammered in Pretoria and will again come second best on Saturday.
The path to the final was recorded here a fortnight ago. And nothing in the last fortnight convinces me to change the call that has the Bulls to win the Cup again.
October 12th, 2006 at 4:48 pm
Morne Steyn @ 12? I remember swys and somebody else alternating at flyhalf during the tournament.
October 12th, 2006 at 4:49 pm
hahahaha, geez pieterman. I was at 1009 when I asked whn you start drinking.
Thanks Ig, I” grab that with a smile.
October 12th, 2006 at 4:49 pm
lol @ 1038
Xreni & Red
I knew a girl (threw other friends) at varsity, who’s dad was SA ambassador to the Netherlands. They had this massive mansion in Constantia, & a wine cellar full of Meerlust, Groot & Klein Constantia, Rustenvrede etc wines…dating from the late 70’s all the way to the late 90’s. Well, her dad developed some heart condition – nothing too serious – but he was advised to stop drinking wine. So a bunch of us were all invited over to a bash at this mansion, with an open invitation to empty the cellar…in 1 night! Man, we were fussy. Refusing a 2nd glass of Kanonkop to rather open & try a Meerlust etc!!!
October 12th, 2006 at 4:49 pm
1050, lieflik.
Die enigste probleem wat ek met rooiwyn het is dat ek nog klokhelder sal wees, maar my tong swel wild op. Dan klink ek so:
SDFJH”kjsdjk?
October 12th, 2006 at 4:50 pm
Odwa, Ashwin, Rayno Gerber, JC, Juan Smith, Jaco Du Toit, Pedrie, Jean, Guthro, Gary Botha, FdP, Roland Bernard, JP Nel, Ricky Januarie, Pat Barnard, Swartbooi and a couple of other who have disappered or injured
October 12th, 2006 at 4:50 pm
It was Swartbooi or JP Nel at 13. I believe it was mostly Swartbooi though.
Wannenburg, Steenkamp, Gary Botha, Pat Barnard, Jacques Cronje, Juan Smit, Roland Bernard, Odwa Ndungane were all part of that team.
October 12th, 2006 at 4:51 pm
**** Quinny, that gave me gooseflesh. I can tell you some of the old ballies in Wilderness have cellars that I wouldn’t mind tucking into for one night.
October 12th, 2006 at 4:51 pm
1052# Dangerbot
You didn’t know about the contest….it’s like winning the Lotto on a machine pick!!!
October 12th, 2006 at 4:52 pm
Darn you Ig!
October 12th, 2006 at 4:52 pm
Ja, hier by die 5de bottel begin my sinusse neuk
October 12th, 2006 at 4:53 pm
What now wolf ?
October 12th, 2006 at 4:53 pm
Jis maar ek is nou lus vir wyn…..
October 12th, 2006 at 4:54 pm
Moet se, ons het n paar lekker ouens hier bymekaar, ons verskil, maar ons respekteer mekaar. Dis soos ek ons rugby manne ken.
October 12th, 2006 at 4:54 pm
Off course so much red wine has other consequences…
Got busted, getting lucky for the first time. Fortunately the parents were just as pissed and couldn’t really give a ****.
October 12th, 2006 at 4:54 pm
pieterman
nog net water sal later die Star Lagers pakslae gee
October 12th, 2006 at 4:54 pm
Ja hierdie praat van wyn maak my bek nou net jags. Cheers almal ek gaan drink.
October 12th, 2006 at 4:54 pm
you got in with the under 21 squad before me
October 12th, 2006 at 4:55 pm
**** gotta go. need to finish up the paper work. thanks for the 1000 Ig. It’ll be framed.
October 12th, 2006 at 4:55 pm
Rathbone and Pretorius both look as if they’ve been inflated before playing.
Inflatable dolls, prick them and they’ll burst.
October 12th, 2006 at 4:55 pm
LMFAO @ 1064!!!
October 12th, 2006 at 4:57 pm
RedCard, was playing cricket for a club in England, and this girl and her mum got drunk after one of the games. I kiss the girl, only for her mum to push her out of the way, and try to kiss me! That is a hideous reprecusion of drinking!
October 12th, 2006 at 4:58 pm
Bwahahaha, man you guys have me crying with laughter! Wolf, that is a HORROR story!
October 12th, 2006 at 4:58 pm
**** hier X-kreni, jy het mos n lekker dek.
As ek nou n paar vissies bring en Jinx n paar wyne, en jou Blou pelle n paar steaks….wat is die kanse dat ons mekaar daar bymekaar kry…
‘Jinx and the Mountain Hearts’ are playing….on the house!!! Op jou dek. Het jy plek?
October 12th, 2006 at 4:59 pm
wolfman, I wouldn’t expect less from the english.
October 12th, 2006 at 4:59 pm
1070:
I was confused for a while after that not knowing whether is had now been done or not.
To say it in Afrikaans:
Ek het my tril weggeskrik!
October 12th, 2006 at 5:00 pm
Wolf was her mom at least MILF-like in any way?
October 12th, 2006 at 5:00 pm
What was the occasion, Red? We know what your intentions were, but howcome the folks were also plastered?
October 12th, 2006 at 5:00 pm
Quinny, it put me off drinking for a week! Dangerbot, harsh put fair!
October 12th, 2006 at 5:01 pm
They shared the wine dude.
October 12th, 2006 at 5:01 pm
Redcard, she was attractive, but in a ****** way, kind of Madonna effect. Sexual but not attractive!
October 12th, 2006 at 5:06 pm
Pity Wolf, with a mom like that, you would’ve been certain of ‘bowling the maiden over’
October 12th, 2006 at 5:06 pm
Redcard, or perhaps a double wicket maiden?!
October 12th, 2006 at 5:07 pm
Ek’t een aand laaaaank laaaaank gelede amper my tril weggeskrik toe ek ‘n girl bykom (in haar batchelor’s flat in Sunnyside Pta)……sy is toe al die tyd ‘n screamer……en dit terwyl haar ma en pa lê en slaap in die sitkamer langsaan!!
Fooook, dit was jooltyd op Tuks!
Toe sy so beginne skree wat ek nou asseblief aan haar moet doen, skrik ek my in ‘n dronk papie in, stop net daar, trek aan en waggel uit die vertrek, verby die “slapende” ouers wat nie eers roer of asemhaal nie….**** hulle het seker gemaak of hulle slaap!
Noooooooit weer teruggekyk of teruggegaan soontoe nie!
October 12th, 2006 at 5:08 pm
1081 still going strong
October 12th, 2006 at 5:09 pm
LOL gbs, hoe oud was jy toe?
October 12th, 2006 at 5:10 pm
wanneer het rhodesia zimbabwe geword?
October 12th, 2006 at 5:10 pm
oops I meant 1087
October 12th, 2006 at 5:10 pm
Nah wolf, the mom sounds as if if would’ve been a bit of a slog!
October 12th, 2006 at 5:11 pm
This blog is slowing down not much to talk about, time to go and rev up another one.
My job is done here!
October 12th, 2006 at 5:11 pm
GBS, ek weet nie of meer jammer vir jou, of die ouers moet voel nie!
October 12th, 2006 at 5:11 pm
wolf ek dink om en by 1979 of 1980.
October 12th, 2006 at 5:11 pm
grootblousmile…sounds too familiar dude. ek raak vinnig weg sulke tyd. en verloor my selfoon.
October 12th, 2006 at 5:12 pm
RedCard, or she would have been an example of reverse-swing!
October 12th, 2006 at 5:12 pm
1083# jy jok!!
Jy het n RX2 Mazda gery…., n groene, almal in Pretoria het die volgende oggend gepraat van die ou wat die swartstrepe gelos het voor Unison-woonstelle in Vlokstraat, daar voor Pickley Wickley Take Away’s op, terwyl hy sy kondoom probeer afruk.
Stry dit was nie jy nie?
October 12th, 2006 at 5:12 pm
RedCard,
Ek was 21 …… net uit die army uit, 1986!
October 12th, 2006 at 5:14 pm
testing 123
October 12th, 2006 at 5:15 pm
What is going on?
I had a funny story I tried to share (twice), but its not posting… Ig? I thought I was banned!
October 12th, 2006 at 5:16 pm
pieterman,
Ja daar naby “Pigly Wigly”…..strangely enough, ek het daai “Pigly Wigly” handelsmerk in 1987 / 88 nog geregistreer by die Maatskappyekantore vir die mense!
Maar kondome, daai tyd, daar was mos nog nie so groot geraas oor Aids nie….en ek was te dronk om 1 aan te rol!
October 12th, 2006 at 5:17 pm
cannot rely on supa and gbs to keep the blog going in my absence!
October 12th, 2006 at 5:19 pm
I wander if there will be a blog that will go to 2000 or has it been done.
I reckon it will after the boks lose to england and most will be slitting their wrists.