There’s just something special about the Currie Cup, isn’t there? And, after a first weekend where we saw a two-point win, a one-point win and a draw, we’re set up very nicely for a cracking competition.
For week after week of Currie Cup rugby there will be bragging rights, something to play for, something to get fans all across the country involved in, interested in happenenings in the weekend just past, and what might happen in a few days’ time.
Why would a Bulls fan strut around his office, with his chest out and a smirk on his face when his team have just beaten the Rebels? Does anyone really care? And does anyone even watch the Aussie derbies?
There’s nothing like the best in South Africa coming up against each other week-in and week-out. The Currie Cup’s also a short competition, so every single match is crucial, as is every point. There’s no place to hide and as one Sharks fan said to me on Sunday, the Currie Cup is what really matters to South Africans ... it’s where you see six evenly matched teams go head-to-head over 10 weeks, with the result never easy to predict.
There are far too many “nothing” matches in Super Rugby and let’s be honest, no one cares whether you’re conference winners or not. If you don’t go on to win the trophy, a whole competition’s slog is very quickly forgotten.
I’m not saying do away with Super Rugby. It’s an international competition that’s played a big role in southern hemisphere rugby, but it lacks the intimacy and excitement that you get in the Currie Cup. Not too many fans would have predicted a young Bulls team coming away with a draw at Newlands, and even less would have thought Griquas would win in Durban. And while the Cheetahs were favourites to win in Joburg, most predicted a comfortable win against an injury-hit and inexperienced Lions. In the end just one point separated the teams.
We’re going to see many more close results because there’s really very little between these six Premier Division teams. And that’s how it should be. Also, with the Boks out of the mix for now, we’ll see plenty of promising youngsters making a name for themselves in the coming weeks. Already a few showed they’ll be pushing hard for a place in Super Rugby next year and that bodes well for the future of SA rugby.
On another note, the Boks kick off their Rugby Championship challenge against Argentina this weekend and let’s hope it’s a good start for Heyneke Meyer and Co. Just a word of warning: Los Pumas have been in camp for a month preparing for this match and are not to be underestimated. They’re a formidable side and certainly capable of upsetting the Boks. - The Star