WHAT A PERFORMANCE
The focus in this column is on club rugby in the Western Province, but I must start off with the Stormers this week.
Well done to the Stormers for beating the Bulls at Loftus.
I must confess that before the match I was not very optimistic about a Stormers win at Loftus. There were so many injuries that I felt the mountain could be a little high for our boys.
But the way the match started and they way it progressed I realised that we may win this one!
To each and every member of the Stormers team. Well done! You made us proud and everyone played rugby of the highest standard.
It was fantastic to see how the newcomer lock Quinn Roux grabbed his opportunity to play for the Stormers. Roux made a very important steal in the lineout for the Stormers and it was a long and accurate pass from him that set-up the winning try of Bryan Habana.
The ex-Bok prop Deon Carstens were criticised this season for being not fit enough, but he had a very solid game at loose-head. When we needed Carstens to play like a Bok he did!
The young Frans Malherbe played a storming game at tight-head. Malherbe was tested with brute force from the experienced Bulls front-row, but he stood up to each and every challenge. Well done Frans!!!
THE BOK TEAM
I have learnt from experience that not everyone will be satisfied after a team is announced. The reason for that is that supporters are subjective towards their own players and favourites.
But having said that – I must add that the exclusion of Gio Aplon and Siya Kolisi are mistakes. Aplon is pure class. Enough said…
Kolisi too young?
How come JJ Engelbrecht got selected?
He is about the same age as Kolisi, but the current form of Kolisi are much better than the form of Engelbrecht.
CRUCIAL 3 WEEKS
The next 3 weeks can play a critical role in the Stormers campaign of 2012.
The injured Schalk Burger, Duane Vermeulen and Joe Pietersen will be raring to go after the 3 weeks.
But there are quite a number of players will niggling injuries and the 3 weeks of rest and practise will do them a lot of good.
WAKE-UP CALL
The victory of the Lions over the Sharks was a wake-up call for other teams (especially the Stormers) in the Super Rugby Competition.
What happens during the 80 minutes on the field is the crucial factor. Forget about previous results. Forget about who are the favourites.
In a South African Derby you will not be victorious if you don’t excel on the day of the match.
WELL DONE TO THE RUGBY PUBLIC
As I said in a column a few weeks ago – Rugby is King in the Western Cape.
Close to 12 000 spectators went to the Junior Boks match against Ireland at the Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch, and at the UWC Stadium there were 5 000 spectators.
Well the result at the Craven Stadium was a shocker and I can only shake my head…
But to the rugby public of the Western Cape I can say – well done again.
WE DON’T NEED THIS IN CLUB RUGBY
It is a pity, but I have to tackle this specific topic again – violence between clubs.
It happened again last week-end.
I want to state it again: all the offenders will be punished. We don’t need this type of “rugby supporter” in the Western Province. You can stay at home – we don’t want you at our rugby grounds.
Is it strange that the conflict happened between clubs from the same community? Or not?
This leads to some unanswered questions.
Is a reason for the conflict based in the community?
We need to sort this unacceptable behaviour out, because this is exactly what the WP Union don’t need
SUPER LEAGUE A
False Bay improved its position on the log with a victory over Tygerberg, whilst SK Walmers were too strong for Belhar.
Two matches will take place this week-end in Super League A.
Durbanville/Bellville will clash against Belhar, whilst SK Walmers will play against Villager.
If the Durbies team can collect full points against Belhar they will take a step closer to winning the First Round.
SUPER LEAGUE B
The surprise of the week-end in this league was the victory of Pniel/Villagers over Collegians. Bellville also stayed on the winning path with a close victory over Brackenfell.. Primrose were too strong for Goodwood.
This week-end the big match will be between Bellville and NNK. Both teams are unbeaten. The match will be played in Bellville and it will be a humdinger of a match!!!
Helderberg will play away against Brackenfell, whilst Collegians will tackle Kuils River.
Primrose are the favourites in their match against Hands & Hearts.
PREMIER LEAGUE A
The team of UWC stayed unbeaten, but they had a very tough match against St Georges. Hamlets also scraped through in their match against Paarl.
This week-end all the teams in this league will be in action. UWC play away against Rangers, whilst St Georges will tackle Kraaifontein.
PREMIER LEAGUE B
One of the big matches in this league will be the one between Sir Lowrians and Lagunya.
Macassar are the firm favourites in their match against Stell-Cor, whilst the match between Strand United and Franschhoek could produce fireworks.
A PROUD MOMENT
All the school players that were selected to represent the Western Province at the coming national youth tournaments will receive there colours at a function next Wednesday at Newlands.
My congratulations to all the players and their parents.
Rugby greetings
Herman Abrahams
