The new law interpretations at the breakdown have turned the tackle area into a bit of free-for-all in this year’s Currie Cup.
The referees are a lot more lenient when it comes the “stealers” and there have been a lot more turnovers in this year’s competition.
And, generally, the teams that have managed to protect the ball from the opposition, while also taking advantage of turnover ball, have been the ones that have thrived.
It’s an area where Western Province struggled to apply themselves in the first few matches of the campaign, and indeed in their last meeting with the Blue Bulls.
John Dobson’s side were put to the sword at Loftus last month when they failed to hold onto the ball.
They were absolutely pulverised at the breakdown, and the Bulls’ speedsters feasted on turnover ball in their 47-29 win.
It seems Bulls coach Nollis Marias is again targeting the WP breakdown after including three fetchers in his backrow for tonight’s return clash between the two sides at Newlands (kickoff 7pm).
The Bulls have sacrificed the carrying abilities of Arno Botha for ace poacher Dean Stegmann, while another player who plays towards the ball, captain Lappies Labuschagne, has been moved to No8. Roelof Smit will pack down in the No7 jersey.
“I think it will be good for us and the way we want to play with three good fetchers on the park,” Marais said. “The breakdown area will be highly contested and those three guys may give us the edge there.”
But in Chris Cloete WP have an Energizer Bunny in the No6 jersey.
Cloete has protected WP’s ball and has given them some momentum to attack from.
The only downside to Cloete’s game so far this season has the amount of penalties he has given away.
The battle between Cloete and Stegmann is an interesting sub-plot, and one that could have a massive bearing on the outcome.