Time and time again, the Currie Cup had to prove itself against the buyist, greedy politics of SA Rugby. This past weekend, it once again showed that it is the Premier Competition in South Africa.

Before the game, I told some WP friends of mine that the Lions will defeat them. Then you had to hear about their “potent Springbok laden” back line. But I have said it before, I have said it again, there should be some emphasis on forward play, and once again WP failed up front. For me, that is where they lost the game. Too much pressure was put on their reputation, and in rugby, this will always come off second best. Josh Strauss is turning into a real fighter, Elton Jantjies is still a good player, but he will have his hands full this weekend, Minnie showed his worth and Pat Cilliers is a gain for the Lions after receiving little game time in the Shark Tank.

The other Semi, was a tale of two halves. The Cheetahs come out blazing, building a 13 point lead, but the Sharks, once Lambie took over started to claw their way back by scoring 20 unanswered points. It was a game that could have gone either way, but the experience of the Sharks and their loosies showed some great fighting spirit. The quality of the rugby was great, and the physical encounters even better. Once again proof that the Currie Cup has life after all.

Some pointers and thoughts:

*WP was uber kuk. They only have themselves to blame. And with a host of their young players heading for greener pastures, their future looks sceptical unless they unearth a few more gems.

*Johan Goosen is one for the future.

*Patrick Lambie is the Present and he should get more game time at 10.

*The amount of rugby during the year is physically exhausting for a supporter, what about the players?

*This weekend’s game will be close and decided up front.

*Elton Jantjies will meet the Bone Collector, Willem Alberts.

*The Lions are on the up, but no matter the result, they have to show us what they can do next year in the Super 15.

*Frans Steyn won’t be coming back to the Sharks when his contract ends next year. The Cheetahs are firm favourites to bring him back home.

*The Currie Cup is what South Africa is made of.

I saw a Tweet from Tank Lanning the other day. “Perhaps Marinos has a point…Based on the crowds today, SA does not REALLY care about the Currie Cup…Money where the mouth is…

Now I don’t know what to say any more. Yes the crowds have been riding a constant wave of ups and downs. Don’t you think that this is partly because with the Super 15 you have players from Australia and New Zealand playing against your team? This still doesn’t mean that South Africa neglects the Currie Cup, it’s rather the people running the show. And also, this means people have to give out more money. For some, a trip watching rugby includes hundreds of rands and sometime people just don’t want to use it on rugby.

I will put all the negative crap behind me and focus on this weekend. It will be a huge occasion and the Lions will look to secure their first Cup since 1999 while the Sharks will try and defend the title they won emphatically last year.

Till Later

REM

Well the topic says it all. Will I be opening up another can of whip ass or simply pass on my message?

I don’t care about this. Matter of fact I don’t care about the World Cup either. Since Paddy O Brein and Bryce Lawrence already-according to the media and hype in New Zealand have sealed the trophy for the Blacks, winning parades already included. Screw that, I am not even interested in watching Wales cry for Blood or Australia finally admitting that they were shit against us.

Instead I will imagine that the year is 1990. Currie Cup is what makes South Africa. I don’t know but I think my blog can be a prime example for the love I have for our Premier competition. And with 4 teams battling it out for the bragging rights for the next year, it is sure to be a very interesting weekend. Now I have read what other’s have said, kept my thoughts to myself because quite frankly, egg can be thrown in your face, any which way.

I think it sucks that the Sharks play so early. I remember last year, working until two and rushing to get back home only to find play suspended due to bees. Unfortunately this year I have to be on duty again, but am fairly confident that I will make kick off. Some thoughts on the games.

The Lions boast a fairly decent record in Currie Cup against the WP at the Coke Tin. They however have not come up against a team laden with Springbok backs in particular and the ever in your face self proclaimed “Mayor of Cape Town” Schalk Burger. This game will certainly test the resolve of the Lions and I have always said I back them as my second team so I would want them to win, albeit the Sharks come to Joburg to face them in the final should they prevail. It will be one huge game and I am glad the faithful of proud Ellis Park can once again watch knock out rugga in the comfort of their own back yard.

The Sharks Cheetahs semi will be huge. The score is 1-1 in the Currie Cup and all eyes will be on the men from Vrysstttaaaatt to once again get one over their rivals. Not to be underestimated though, yes they are tough but the team the Sharks are fielding is a huge physical and mobile one. We all saw what happened to the Lions when the Sharks started introducing them during the second half. They would want to have a good showing after their dissapointment at the World Cup. Should be a treat to watch.

Coming back to 2011, the Currie Cup still has the values and I think people are still nostalgic when it comes to Currie Cup rugby. I love it, and believe firmly that were it not for the tournament, the Springboks would not have been such a force in World rugby that they are now. Yes we out of the Top 3 in the World Rankings but we still enjoy some of the best geeeezzz and have one of the largest global fan bases.

The Springboks, returning back home, was greeted by sadness but also cheers as some of these players made huge returns for their provincial provinces.

Now if I had to measure the Currie Cup against the World Cup, obviously being crowned World Champions would suffice but despite the odds being stacked against us for the last few years, I can still say that I am proud of what the boys have achieved and hope that the next year will bring us more success as a country.

On to the local front now, where those returning Springboks will be looking to add some silverware to their collection after the immense disappoint of the Rugby World Cup. The fact that they can get off a plane, having played huge amounts of rugby, walking straight into a team and playing with guile and much efficiency shows us the character these boys have.

This adds a whole new dimension to the Currie Cup. Let us not forget that these Springboks would never have had the opportunity to play for their country, have it not been for the Currie Cup. Let us not forget that it is the Premier Club Competition for the Sport of Rugby in the World. People sitting in high places as administrators and presidents of their respective unions are forgetting what the Currie Cup means to the bulk of South Africans that actually follow the competition as they grow up.

I remember watching Craig Jameson lifting the Trophy for Natal in 1990. When you read the Biography of former/current players, some highlight has to go to the Currie Cup, and what role it played for them growing up. I remember reading somewhere once that during a final one year in Transvaal, the Natal team checked in and the Hotel wouldn’t allow Christie Noble (uncle of JP Pietersen, father of Dusty Noble) to enter due to Apartheid restrictions. This led to a argument between Ian MacIntosh and the Hotel staff, Ian threatening to check the whole team out of the Hotel and them finally realising the error of their ways and allowing him to stay there.

I remember all these feelings and I realise now that the Currie Cup is what we are made off.

Over the years our Australian and New Zealand counterparts have realised that because they don’t have a local competition quite with the magnitude of the Currie Cup, that they have began a lengthy process of slowly draining the competition from it’s former glory.

Let’s be honest and say that this year’s competition has not lived up to expectations. Let us also agree that yes, there is immense amounts of quality within our ranks, but a exodus is due, partly because Saru has decided to shorten the competition to 6 teams from next year onwards

I do think that this weekend, the four teams competing in the Semi Finals will show the South African public once again, what South African rugby is all about. It won’t just come down to the teams, or fans but to the Springboks that’s returning, that will make the huge difference.

Not to forget but worth mentioning:

Many people argue that it is unfair to the young players, that have bought their respective unions to where they are now, to just throw them out and select players that are battered and bruised from playing top flight rugby non stop for a few months. I want to say that I gladly disagree because those battle hardened regulars, who have represented their country have earned the right to play there.

So to the Sharks youngsters, guys like Dale Chadwick, Juandre Marias, Anton Bresler, Mark Richards, Gouws Prinsloo and who ever I leave out, take note that you filled in for players that have earned their scars and one day you can go on to achieve the same feat, even surpass them.

To the semi finals we go!

I was busy writing my five sport events happening this working, with the whole summary, predictions etc etc when something told me to log on. Bloody hell, seems like a War of Words. Seems I missed a lot since this morning.

From what I understand, the main arguments comes from the whole Facebook log in when commenting on articles and the blogging section being removed from the Sport24 home page.

Serious concerns stem from these decisions.

Firstly allow me to say that I don’t comment that much and out every 10 articles I will comment 1 time. So this does not affect me but I want to be able to still voice my opinions when the time comes. So with Facebook log in, I have no problem.

With the second part of the problem I do have plenty.

A little over three years ago, I was looking for a article. And even though it eludes me now, I know it was rugby related. I went on to google, type “latest sport news” and was directed to sport24. I found what I was looking for and saw this blogging platform, thingie.

I have heard people mention it, and blogging at the time was gaining huge amounts of traffic. I read my first blog, written by a legend, Rugby Guru, and immediately signed up. We had a spat and I remember Guru and Tank having words. The guy felt bad I supposed because since then we have stayed in contact.

Now over the years many colourful characters have made this like a second home. If I look at my browser usage and history, the blogs is used more then Facebook, Twitter or any site I normally look for reading material. It has become a part of my being and it leaves some of us stuck between a rock and a hard place.

You see, if this is the way we are treated, then heck, it just makes my decision so much easier. There is many a blogger on here that I respect. And I will say that should “die grootste trek” take place, I will put in the hard yards and join them. Maybe just maybe, for once the grass will be greener on the other side.

Send PM if you wanna exchange emails or even Facebook details. Lord knows when we log in tomorrow the blog section is gone.

REM

It has been a emotional week for a lot of us. Some still not over the shocking display and probably the worst refereeing display I have ever seen in my life. I was sitting here at my desk, thinking what to write. Then I remembered something, maybe not something for some, but for my team, for my Province, I think it fitting I post it here:

Stefan Terblanche added yet another milestone to his impressive list by becoming the first player in South Africa to have played 100 Currie Cup and 100 Super Rugby games in a career spanning more then a decade.

He burst onto the scene for the Boland Cavaliers, playing 66 times for them. He holds the record for most tries in a season for the club (20) and scored 49 times for them.

In 1999, he moved the Natal Sharks and Friday marked his 100^th Currie Cup game for the Union, taking into account the 122 Super Rugby Games he has played, assuming he will play out this season, he will end on a ever impressive 225 for the union.  It’s not every day you get players stick around for so long, making his amount of appearances look like a hefty cricket score, not even considering the fact that he also played in Wales for a few years, making his return to the Union in 2007.

Not to mention National Duty. Terblanche played 38 times for the Green & Gold, scoring 19 times, (a ratio of 0.51)which is excellent considering that Jaque Fourie (0.5), Ray Mordt (0.66) or Danie Gerber (0.79) is the only ones that has done better.

He is still one of the most deadliest finishers in a game. On debut in 1998 against Ireland in Bloemfontein, he scored 4 tries and bettered that record when he crossed the white wash 5 times a year later against Italy.

He has always been a talisman and despite pundits always questioning his age, he has shown over the years that he still has the legs to compete with the best. He has been described as one of the fittest members of the squad and brings a ton of experience to a team beaming with young talent coming through the Academy.

I have always been a fan of him, and want to offer a congratulations on a achievement, I am sure he will cherish for the rest of his days. A true servant of SA rugby, hopefully we get to see some of his magic this weekend against the Lions.

On days like these, I leave reasoning to others. I want to look forward, and focus on the next few years. Being that there is lots to be said, I will try and do it and 4 short post.

The first part is solely focussed on finding a successor to Peter De Villiers and John Smit. A difficult decision to make in any sporting code, we saw how long it took CSA to appoint a coach for their team and one hopes that someone is already in the mind of Saru and the politicians.

This morning, reports are rife on who should replace our coach. Instead of giving you the candidates and giving you my reason why they should be appointed (or not), I would give you my team, consisting of Coach, Forward Coach, Backline Coach, Defensive Coach and Technical Advisor.

My Head Coach would be Alistair Coetzee, former Assistant to Jake White and current WP/Stormers coach. Coetzee was active and took little credit for the work he achieved with the Class of 2007. He is experienced and players respect him, both as the captain of the ship and the Commander in Chief.

Forward Coach would be tricky, but I would lure back Gert Smal, to his native land, and let him get stuck in there. He has worked with Coetzee before and did a good job in Ireland, turning their scrum into a well oiled machine. It would be a great challenge for the big man.

Back line Coach is where we need the most help. We need to start playing more running rugby. Someone that may just have the necessary skill to do that is Brendan Venter, the former Saracens coach. Anyone that followed his career will know that the man knows what he is doing. He can bring out the best out of our very stale back line and the experience may just help him in becoming a Head Coach one day…

Our defence suffered during the away leg of the Tri Nations, and Jacques Nienaber did a fantastic job. If I am not to be mistaken, we only conceded three tries in 4 matches. Fantastic. Problem is that he is still contracted to the Stormers/WP, but surely national duty is more important?

The Technical Advisor is a tough call. Since Rassie is also contracted to the Cape, one feels that Heyneke Meyer is a good call. He has the insight, he has the vision. We need someone that can work well in a team environment, someone the players respect, and someone that will bring something else to our game.

The role of the captain has always been tough. I feel it has been redefined by John Smit. People give him less credit then he is due. Seen as the uniting force in the Springbok camp, Smit knew how to get the best out of his players. He commanded respect from each and everyone, and made it known that no one is above the team.

We do have a slight problem of leadership coming through. I feel that Schalk Burger would be my next logical choice, since he would surely still be in contention for future Springbok selection. He also has a good relationship with not just the coach but the team members as well. In the interim they should also appoint or at least single out some players earmarked for future captaincy roles.

So there you have it. My first diagnosis:

Springbok 2012 coaching staff list:

Alistair Coetzee

Gert Smal

Brendan Venter

Jacques Nienaber

Heyneke Meyer

Tot more

REM

I can lay claim on many things. In this life, in this world, in this country, I can lay claim. Knowing that there is much more out there. In a previous lifetime, I could stake my claim, stab it in the heart of the naysayers and say screw you, I am South African.

With the lead up to yet another World Cup approaching, the agent’s are out. They are the ones, looking for the negative, when there is so much positives to look forward too. Have they forgotten how it feels to win? No, they have not had that privilege. We live in a great country, a country that has produced some of the best talents. A country that went from turmoil, to reconciliation, to victory.

As a South African, I can lay claim. Lay claim on Frik Du Preez being one of the best rugby players ever to take a field.

I can say that the Currie Cup is the World’s Premier Rugby Competition and we are proud to be associated with it.

In that glorious day in 1995, I was where I was supposed to be, in front of a TV, with the family, celebrating everything that is South African. When Madiba walked onto that field donning a Green and Gold shirt, we all knew that our time has arrived.

I can lay claim to watching the All Blacks succumb to defeat that day, and all the Cape Town All Blacks being in a state of shock.

Our time came again. In October 2007, I was once again, where I was supposed to be. I could then lay claim to being a supporter of probably the greatest entity in World Rugby.

And even though he may not be recognized in the same breath as Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki was where he was supposed to be, laying his claim.

I can lay claim on getting that feeling of excitement whenever we take the field. Much like when Toto sings Africa and I stand proud with a Castle Draught in my hands.

Proud songs also associate themselves with our culture. I can lay claim to Bok van Blerk, Poena and Kurt Darren, not to mention Leon Schuster, David Kramer and TKZee.

I can lay claim to be associated with my team. Just like many greats in our country who have come out to publicly support our team. Regardless of the odds, where are where we supposed to be.

Many people call us by different names. Some good, some great and some bad. I tend to take it with a pinch of salt. I still say screw them, if they unhappy, go live in New Zealand or Tonga for all I care.

Sunday I will be, where I am supposed to be. I will lay claim to supporting my team.

If you have a problem, well honestly who cares.

Kou jou polse!!

I am a Springbok. My blood is green. No matter the outcome, no matter what happens, I will always shout their name. My emotion will never change when I sing my anthem, when I think of my team no matter what.

My name is REM, and I can lay claim…

There is two major highlights reported from the World Cup besides the Quarter Final fixtures. The injuries of Frans Steyn and Dan Carter, and what they bring to their respective teams.

Firstly Dan Carter, well many still argues but I think that hands down he is the best flyhalf in World Rugby. He has accumulated 1250 Points in Test and is seen as the talisman of the All Black machine. Now in New Zealand they realise the potential outcome of losing a player of his calibre, they have even tried experimenting with other players in the Pivot but none can set the field alight like the Crusader player.

I am sorry but Colin Slade just doesn’t cut it for me. Neither does Stephen Donald (God forbid they call him up). Graham Henry will be sitting with a big selection headache ahead of their Quarter Final Clash against the Pumas. Yes Slade is a capable player, but even he is not ready for the big stage….or is he?

Frans Steyn’s injury comes as a shock and blow to the South African community. You see he brings to the back line what Jean De Villiers can’t, that brute physicality and the option of a second kicker, with a huge boot at that. We have gained valuable forward strides with him in the midfield, and no matter what happens, I feel we will miss him dearly.

What took me totally by surprise is the call up of Zane Kirchner. Now I don’t know what Peter has been watching but what the hell are they thinking? In the local tabloid in Cape Town this morning, it says that he prefers Zane to Gio because Aplon is too small to play fullback. Well then Mr Coach, why the hell did you pick Aplon in the first place??

The call up of a Fullback also raises the question where Lambie will play. At least with Pat, you had a solid high ball specialist, and a player that is unpredictable, the word meaning a lot considering what Zane brings to the party. One feels that he will use Lambie at 12 because dropping him from the side will cause a huge outcry as the Michaelhouse boy has done nothing wrong. No one has even commented on the injury to Butch James?

I am not being buyist here, but if I was asked who to bring I would take Stefan Terreblanche instead of Zane “kamniehare” Kirchner. At least it would be someone that has a clue as to what to do…

eysh eysh ai jir….