Editors Note

When I was but knee high to a grasshopper, back in the late-70's, there were only really 2 rugger teams to choose from. After all, the Boks were only hauled out in anger every couple of years, invariably to play against some or other motley rebel XV, so they hardly counted.

Nah, back in those carefree days you were either a supporter of the blue 'n white hoops of "Prooovince", or of the demonic, gritty manne in their blue jerseys from north of the Jukskei River. And despite the rather sporadic appearances of het Springbokken in those days, we could at least content ourselves with the certainty not only that the Green 'n Gold reigned supreme, but that the standard of our provincial rugby was the best in the world. Huddled over squaddies 'n cokes in various dives throughout the country, we would agree that nothing compares to the venerable Currie Cup, né?

And let's face it, for an upstart, new-ish Union, the Blou Bulle had done well. Founded as recently as 1938, they had soon begun to rival their older, more illustrious Cape opponents for the Currie Cup title. By the late 1960's the Pretoria-based Union had well and truly arrived: the bristling, macho Louis Schmidt had already been installed as the "original" Blue Bull, further Cup successes had been tasted in 1968 and '69 (with another final in 1970), and then again in 1971 and '73-'75, and the turf at Loftus Versfeld was home to the idol of all (white) South Africa, the great Frik du Preez.

Growing up in the Natal Midlands, young 'uns like myself often felt short-changed on the afternoon of the Currie Cup final. Those were the dark, dismal days of B Section rugby for the "Banana Boys", which meant that by Cup Final day our side had long-since been out of the reckoning for glory. This also meant that we should have been more-or-less impartial on the big day – but which team would it be?

Unfortunately, in our sleepy hollow of Little England there was little or no risk that the XV strapping boere in their blue jerseys would enjoy much support from the likes of us, and our sympathies invariably lay with the Capetonians. The names of all thirty players were invariably of Dutch or Huguenot extraction, and almost every player was gnarl-fingered, big-boned and moustachioed, but still we felt some allegiance for the "softer", wine-guzzling boere from the Cape!

The rugby duopoly between these great Unions continued well into the 1980's, during which time the Blue Bulls, sans the regal presence of their blonde flyhalf, sometimes faltered at the last hurdle. Even so, they contested a mammoth 20 finals between 1968 and 1991, winning 11. When, isolation finally over, the Boks ran out again against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on 15 August 1992, seven of the starting XV had worn a Barberton Daisy on their breasts at the trials a week before.

Even having never been a fan of the Blou Bulle, I can only but commiserate with the players and fans of this once mighty club. That the administrators of arguably the strongest provincial team in the world in the 1970's and 1980's have allowed it to not only fall into disrepute, such that it is now viewed merely as a Super 12 powder-puff, but to remain manifestly out of step with the sassier coastal unions, is an outright disgrace.

Let's hope that old timers like Frik, Naas and Thys Lourens, who all sweated blood in the name of The Cause, will forthwith be able to restore some pride for the old blue jersey. Otherwise, 40 years of sporting excellence might find itself permanently consigned to the ash-heap of history.

tom@rugbyforum.co.za

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The results over the weekend has opened the race for the elusive four semi final positions in this year’s Super 12, it may not contain a South African side but the local teams will have the ultimate say as to who will fight it out on the weekend of 18 May - in a much different way though.

With bonus points probably the biggest influence on a place in the play offs, teams like the Blues, Reds and log leader the Crusaders who all have matches against SA teams will benefit more than the other candidates who are facing tough matches in the coming weeks. It is a shame that local teams are targeted for bonus points but that is the reality of this year’s competition and there is a strong rumour doing the rounds that Clover (dairy company) will be sponsoring the South African Super 12 matches in 2003!

The Sharks achieved the holy grail of SA Super 12 achievements in this year’s comp by winning their second match in a row, well done gentlemen but it could easily have gone the other way. The poor handling was a bit of a concern but some excellent individual efforts from amongst others Craig Davidson was amongst the highlights of this match. Interesting to note the decision of Mr Ayoub to card Lowen for obstruction of a player after he awarded the penalty try, in the past the seven points was regarded as enough punishment.

Kevin Putt, the Sharks coach is having a flying start to the Super 12 and with a policy of nobody is sure of their positions including the likes of Mark Andrews, Ollie Le Roux et al the players are giving their all to impress the new incumbent. Hopefully this similar approach from Rudolf Straeuli to the national side will have the same desired effects as all national contracts expire in May.

The highflying Crusaders nailed the Stormers in Christchurch and remain the only unbeaten side in the competition. There are already strong cases to crown the Canty outfit as champions, there are a few more rounds to go but they are looking the part and with tremendous depth in playing personnel will be a dead cert for a semi-final position. The Stormers have lost it a bit and with injuries plaguing and strong opposition it will cost a lot of character and strength to beat the Chiefs at home although this is an attainable result. Deon Muir’s men will have trekked all the way from Durban and as we all know the travel makes a difference but with superlative finishers in Roger Randle, Reihana and Te Nana one could never write them off.

The Cats have been disappointing at home although Bloemfontein Stadium may not be quite the green grass of the mostly Lions orientated players but once again injuries clouds the horizon. Frans Ludeke is both young and inexperienced and to be saddled with a second string side in a competition as tough as the Super 12 is suicide, it does however present a challenge for players like Andre Pretorius to perform in a losing team and there are few more difficult things to do than impress in defeat.

The time is running a bit thin for Springbok selection and from next week it will be appropriate to spend some column time on the likely candidates and selection criteria for the June internationals. The rest of the Super 12 is purely a four-week trial period for all the possibles and probables. Hopefully likely candidates can attain/maintain form, as it is imperative for South African hopes in the Tri Nations.

mark@rugbyforum.co.za

Rugby Forum Super 12 XV

1. Bill Young (Brumbies)
2. Keven Mealamu (Chiefs)
3. Greg Somerville (Crusaders)
4. Justin Harrison (Brumbies)
5. Chris Jack (Crusaders)
6. Richard McCaw (Crusaders)
7. Owen Finnegan (Brumbies)
8. David Lyons (Waratahs)
9. George Gregan (Brumbies)
10. Duncan McRae (Waratahs)
11. Pieter Rossouw (Stormers)
12. Paul Steinmetz (Highlanders)
13. Stirling Mortlock (Brumbies)
14. Ben Tune (Reds)
15. Matt Rogers (Waratahs)

When he was a player Kevin was always influential and now that he is officially the boss he has stamped his authority.      Ollie Le Roux

Referees are only human, I think.    Phil Kearns

Against Ireland, the English midfield were playing in an aircraft hanger of space. Against France, it was as if they were confined to a space the size of a Cessna cockpit.       Stephen Jones

This has gone far enough. Week after week we see Australian and New Zealand referees treating South African Super 12 teams with utter contempt. It is time for action. If SARFU doesn't do it, then we as South African rugby supporters should. Perhaps we should use your excellent electronic publication as the vehicle for a petition. If acceptable, I suggest everyone who agrees with the sentiments expressed send you an e-mail with the message below copied and pasted, and their names, and you hand over the final result to SARFU, for submission to SANZAR.

We as South African rugby supporters hereby strongly object to the biased manner in which our Super 12 teams are treated by some Australian and New Zealand referees. Year after year, and week after week, the same one-sided officiating is meted out by the same prejudiced referees to the unfair detriment of our teams. In particular the performances of Stuart Dickinson (most recent example: Crusaders vs Stormers) and Wayne Erickson of Australia, and Paul Honiss (most recent example: Reds vs Stormers) and Steve Walsh of New Zealand should be reviewed from video evidence and evaluated. Forward passes, knocks-on, offside play and killing the ball on the ground by opposing teams are tolerated, while SA teams are severely and ruthlessly penalised for real and especially presumed transgressions. Yellow cards are shown to SA players on the assumption that they are habitual and willful perpetrators of skullduggery. This can no longer be tolerated. We therefore demand that our grievances be submitted to SANZAR from which we, in turn, demand that these allegations be properly investigated and a solution found for the matter.

COLIN VAN RENSBURG

Philemon

Kenloos

Bren 

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