It probably feels like a lifetime since there was so much excitement in the air at Loftus Versfeld.
At times it felt palpable and every time Blue Bulls coach Frans Ludeke and captain Deon Stegmann opened their mouths to answer a question, it was as if they were about to touch the excitement and anticipation.
Often in control of his emotions and feelings, Ludeke was almost reduced to tears yesterday as he explained his life’s journey in rugby.
On the other side, the often quiet and somewhat reserved Stegmann had a lot to say and a twinkle in his eye.
That is what a Currie Cup semi-final does.
It evokes and ignites emotions that were hidden in far away corners of one’s heart and soul and makes any team believe that the impossible is possible.
Yesterday, the Blue Bulls opened up their hearts and souls about the pain and desperation of not winning the Currie Cup trophy in five seasons and threw down the gauntlet to Western Province ahead of their semi-final clash at Newlands tomorrow.
Stegmann sent out a warning to the men from the Cape that even though they had been on the losing side twice this season to Province, they are not the same team and have improved.
“We are not the same side we were at the beginning of the competition. We’d like to think we are working harder and are performing better. Being in the semi-final is a huge privilege and honour for us if you look at where we were earlier in the season. Just to be part of the semi-finals is a huge occasion but I don’t think it is the end of the road. There’s definitely a game to be won if we want to make the final. We know what we have to go down there and do and hopefully it comes through from us,” said Stegmann yesterday.
And it is true that the Bulls will be a different outfit to any that Province has faced this season with Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard being included in the Bulls’ starting line-up to play at inside centre in place of the injured Burger Odendaal.
Rudy Paige starts at scrumhalf ahead of Piet van Zyl and Werner Kruger has been handed the starting berth at tighthead prop ahead of Marcel van der Merwe, who drops to the bench.
The inclusion of Pollard in the Bulls starting line-up has seemingly given them a spring in their step as they now possess two match-winning flyhalves and will certainly be an unwelcome headache for WP.
Ludeke, while bemoaning the loss of Odendaal, said that Pollard’s presence will certainly give their play a different dimension and enhance their decision-making.
“It is more than just kicking with him; it’s also what he brings as a thinker and decision-maker. When you are under pressure it will help a lot when you have that option, it relieves pressure and opens up a few opportunities for you,” Ludeke said.
Stegmann has had little to say with regards to motivating his team and believes that every single member of his team understands their role and the implications of them doing well tomorrow. - The Star