Power to powder blue

12 Oct 2006

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.



1,320 Comments

Pages: « 1 … 17 18 19 20 21 22 [23] 24 25 26 27 » Show All

  • 1101.dangerbot: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:19 pm

    Ek was 21 …… net uit die army uit, 1986!

    Comment by grootblousmile : October 12, 2006 @ 5:12 pm

    Fok, in ’86 was ek net uit my doeke uit! :lol:

  • 1102.pieterman: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:19 pm

    GBS
    Ek het gedog dit was jy…ken daai Mazda se beat.
    Net jy en Catfish het daai tyd van die nag so geklink!!
    Maar dis nou jare later…en die skrik is verby.

  • 1103.wolfman2006: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:20 pm

    ek was nog in doeke dangerbot, hoe oud is jy?!

    wallabiem there is cybersex, cybershopping, but how does one commit cybersuicide?

  • 1104.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:20 pm

    dangerbot,

    Ek’ ‘n senior ballie jong!

  • 1105.wallabie.: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:21 pm

    wolf

    i dont know probably ask the bulls fans on monday.

  • 1106.pieterman: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:21 pm

    Catfish en GBS
    “We were innocent then”.

  • 1107.wolfman2006: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:21 pm

    again, wallabie, thats pretty weak!

  • 1108.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:21 pm

    All I’m hearing is warra warra …..

  • 1109.wallabie.: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:23 pm

    thats all I can do for 1:23 am.

  • 1110.wolfman2006: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:24 pm

    I am at my sharpest at 1:23 am! Wallabie, why do you like South Africans, especially Bulls fans so much?

  • 1111.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:25 pm

    And can this site be any slower.

  • 1112.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:25 pm

    pieterman,

    Hehehehe

    Ek dink nie ek was ooit “innocent” nie!

  • 1113.pieterman: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:26 pm

    GBS
    Pigly Wigly…
    Wat praat jy?
    Daai eienaar was n Cyprus-Griek, altyd witklere gedra…lekkerste ‘take aways’…ooooeeee, daai viskoeke. Man!! Onthou jy?

  • 1114.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:27 pm

    Almost like the traffic outside.

  • 1115.wolfman2006: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:28 pm

    Dawn, why don’t you speed it up? this site that is!

  • 1116.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:28 pm

    pieterman,

    Ja, as ek deesdae Petoorsdorp toe gaan koop ek steeds daar take-away’s….maar dis nie meer dieselfde nie!

  • 1117.RedCard: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:28 pm

    Bliksem gbs, ek was in daardie jaar in std 1!

  • 1118.wallabie.: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:29 pm

    wolf

    there is some on this site that are quite informative when it comes to rugger chat probably better than most on other sites, i prefer a balanced view.
    Yea I stir because i cannot stand head in the sand drivel and also i get the reaction i want.

    others smoke drugs and drink beer, i get my fix by watching people falling over themselves trying to defend the indefensible (is that a word)

  • 1119.Ig: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:29 pm

    ***** *****…..heheh

    Red, i thought we covered that one.

  • 1120.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:29 pm

    Snail’s pace.

  • 1121.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:30 pm

    RedCard,

    Jou forken youngster!!

    Hehehehe

  • 1122.wallabie.: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:30 pm

    1113

    You been shagging my sheep??

    Dirty boy you!

  • 1123.RedCard: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:31 pm

    Sorry ig, really! Back to best behaviour. Promise. Call it tourrettes… you f#cking moron. :wink:

    Seriously, back to being well behaved.

  • 1124.wolfman2006: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:31 pm

    the word you are looking for is indefendable (my tertiary Aussie education!).

    but admit you, you like South Africans! you must understand, your average Saffa will defend his country, family and rugby team (in the order) if any-one says anything which could be interpreted as an insult.

  • 1125.pieterman: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:32 pm

    1117# Miskien nie meer dieselfde ou nie.
    Hy het altyd gepraat van teruggaan, skraal ou met n bril en n vet vrou, was vreeslik bang vir nuwe SA.
    Ek het elke Sondag die koerant oorkant by daai kafee onderkant die “Spur” gaan koop en bietjie met hom gesels oor ‘nuwe SA’.

  • 1126.RedCard: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:33 pm

    Wolf he is married to a Saffa.

  • 1127.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:33 pm

    Wallabie how much of your drivel is head in the sand?

    Would it surprise you to know that no-one has the slightest inclination to discuss the merits or otherwise of Matt Giteau? Or George Gregan?

    WE DON’T CARE !!! WE DON’T GIVE A TOSS !!!

  • 1128.wallabie.: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:34 pm

    Ig you at it again.

    I see you been busy tonight.

  • 1129.Ig: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:34 pm

    Hehehe Red,

    Sorry about the speed Dawn – i am just downloading the internet for a friend.

  • 1130.wolfman2006: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:34 pm

    Yeah, I know RedCard. just more evidence that he wishes he could be a Saffa!

  • 1131.pieterman: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:34 pm

    RedCard #1117
    Nou sien jy! Ek en GBS praat uit daai tye.

  • 1132.wallabie.: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:34 pm

    Dawn or is it Yawn??

  • 1133.Ig: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:34 pm

    wallabie – it never stops

  • 1134.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:35 pm

    pieterman,

    Ja, ek sien nie meer die oorspronklike eienaars daar nie!

    Daar was so ‘n lekka portugese kaffee in die middestad wat die lekkerste “Potugese Pies” gemaak het……. fooooook nou’s ek mooooosssaaa lus daarvoor!

  • 1135.pieterman: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:35 pm

    Ek sien WALLABIE probeer inkom.

  • 1136.wallabie.: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:36 pm

    No – one wants to be a saffa i suppose only saffas but then that whats to be expected.
    me trying to be a saffa is an insult like you being a aussie.

  • 1137.RedCard: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:36 pm

    Ig, I’m sure that was the first post you have ever removed from me?

  • 1138.Ig: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:37 pm

    Ummmm second Red, there was another shocker awhile back….

  • 1139.RedCard: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:37 pm

    Dont have a heart attack but I’m agreeing with Wallabie.

    We is what we am. (sic)

    Nobody wants to be something they are not.

  • 1140.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:38 pm

    1132 – the best you can do?

    Bring it on!

  • 1141.RedCard: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:38 pm

    Seriaaas Ig?

    **** really sorry dude.

  • 1142.wolfman2006: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:39 pm

    I differ RedCard, Luke Watson wishes he could be a Bok!

  • 1143.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:39 pm

    RedCard,

    Die verskil is, ons hou van wie ons is!

  • 1144.RedCard: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:39 pm

    Dawn will kick yawr ***, after she has finished off Britney.

  • 1145.pieterman: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:40 pm

    1134#GBS Ek ook!!!
    Kan nie meer die naam onthou nie!!!
    Bliksem, ek voel oud, n man moet nooit jou cafe se naam vergeet nie, dis die GROOT TOETS.

  • 1146.RedCard: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:40 pm

    LMFAOLINNBNESNWN!!!!! @1142

  • 1147.Ig: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:41 pm

    Red – worry not.

    lmao GBS – classic

  • 1148.wallabie.: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:41 pm

    Dawn is tame.

    She has a chain around her neck that gets loosened to allow her to go to the toilet from the kitchen.

  • 1149.pieterman: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:42 pm

    1145 GBS
    Ek weet dit was naby Merino Gebou, ek sal hom kry!!!

  • 1150.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    12 Oct 2006, 17:42 pm

    Ek kan onthou die eienaar v/d kaffee se naam was Jose….dis al….in die dae toe ek ge-article het!

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Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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