Sanjay's Rugby World

Lining up for the national anthems! Appears to be a great atmosphere and excitement from the crowd.

One of the worst renditions of the South African national anthem I’ve heard. Shame.

South Africa have not played in Toulouse since 1974. However they did win on that occasion.

The surface appears a little slippery underfoot which may limit running rugby.

2nd Min – Penalty to France, Schalk Burger offside chasing the kick. Ref Wayne Barnes could also be a big factor in tonight’s test.

5th Min – Penalty France. John Smit penalised for going into the ruck from the side. It’s been a very physical opening to the test as we expected.
Adi Jacobs made a strong tackle on his opposite early on.
The French kick the penalty and France lead early on 3-0.

7th Min – Ryan Kankowski loses the ball at the maul. That’s the reason I don’t rate him. Not so good doing the hard yards.

12th Min – Tremendous pressure at the breakdowns. Brussow has made one steal so far. but the Boks are making silly errors due to the pressure. Time to settle it down and build some pressure.

17th Min – South Africa building pressure, and enjoying good territory. Howevr they look disjointed on attack and players are running poor lines and getting in each others way.

19th Min – Penalty to South Africa after France transgress at the maul. The maul is working well for the Boks so far.
Morne Steyn to kick from 43m out.
What a beautiful kick! He is a machine. Morne makes such difficult kicks look easy.
The score is 3-3!

22nd Min – Brilliant Bok breakout. They are looking more dangerous as the match goes on. John Smit puts in a cross kick! Not his strength, but it’s good to see the Boks have free reign to try things and express themselves.

The Bok scrum earns a turnover. The first few scrums have looked very solid.

25th Min – Excellent Springbok pressure. Morne Steyn sits back in the pocket and executes a great snap drop goal!

South Africa 6, France 3.

26th Min – Wow. Ref Wayne Barnes said he called “advantage over” too early and has gone back on a decision. I’ve never seen that before. Good reffing.

28th Min – John Smit scores! Brilliant Springbok pressure with the kick and chase produced a lineout 5m from the French line. Smit claimed the overthrown ball and barges over. Awesome, and no player deserves a try more.
Morne Steyn nonchalantly kicks it from the sideline.
Boks ahead 13-3.

31st Min – Ryan Kankowski spills a ball in midfield and gifts the French excellent possession and teritory, and the French score a good try in the corner to Vincent Clerc.
The conversion is wide and the Boks lead is cut to 13-8.

37th Min – Penalty to France. Bakkies Botha goes in at the side of the ruck.
Julien Dupuy has another shot at goal and hits the post.

38th Min – John Smit made a beautiful tackle. He’s had a great game and has been all over the park. Hopefully that answers his critics.

40th Min – Morne Steyn yellow carded for a foot trip. Not much in it, but it will rob the Boks of their goal kicker at the start of the second half.
Dupuy gets the penalty and gets the French tails up going into halftime.

Halftime South Africa 13 France 11

France started off well, but as the half wore on the Springboks started to get their game going and played with good field position. Small errors have cost the Boks, Kankowski has made two vital ones.

Two areas everybody thought would be Bok weaknesses, the scrum and defence in Adi Jacobs’ channel have been good. The French don’t look that dangerous on attack, but if they grab the lead they’ll be especially hard to beat. With Morne Steyn off, the Boks will have to play it tight and down the right end of the field at the start of the second half.

41st Min – Poor start from South Africa. Zane Kirchner makes his first real mistake and overcooks the kick-off.

45th Min – South Africa penalised for pulling down the maul.
Dupuy has a chance to put the French in front again.
From 50m out, he cannot convert.

48th Min – Adi Jacobs superb on defence as France breakout. Ryan Kankowski drops the ball again.

Schalk Burger leaves the field looking very uncomfortable and Danie Rousouw comes on.

48th Min – The Bok scrum disintegrates and the Beast is penalised.
Dupuy doesn’t miss this one and France earn the lead again. 14-13.
Morne Steyn about to come back on.

54th Min – Excellent French pressure. As soon as they get in front they look like a different side. They have the crowd right behind them now, and a good tackle from the Beast spills the ball forward close to the Bok line.

The Beast leaves the field and CJ van der Linde makes his Bok comeback after last playing in August 2008. He will actually play on the loosehead side.

55th Min – The French makes some changes and on comes Sebastien Chabal.

Imanol Harinordoquy also injured and replaced by Julien Bonnaire.

58th Min – Penalty to South Africa. France penalised for pulling back Jaque Fourie and the ball wasn’t even in play. Everyone was running to the lineout, and that’s bad discipline.
Morne Steyn misses a difficult kick.

60th Min – Kankowski loses the ball for the 4th time. This time it’s a vital turnover inside the Springbok 22. We need Spies!!!

61st Min – Springbok scrum penalised for driving around. It all comes back to the turnover.
Dupuy makes no mistake and gives the French a 17-13 lead. Tough for the Boks now. I really think we’re going to have to score a try.

64th Min – Penalties coming thick and fast for the French. This time Brussow penalised at the maul.

66th Min Brussow stops the rot and wins a penalty for being on his feet at the ruck. Good work, after Victor Matfield made an important tackle to stop Chabal.

Julien Dupuy substituted for Morgan Parra.

68th Min – South Africa hot on attack and marched 60m downfield.

Ryan Kankowski gets 10 minutes in the bin and just reward for a crappy game. He is just not up to international standard.

Parra misses a simple penalty and keeps South Africa’s chances alive.

Wynand Olivier on for Adi Jacobs, and Adriaan Strauss on for Bismarck du Plessis.

75th Min – Scrum France. France enjoying all the territory and making it hard for South Africa. We need a Habana intercept or something similar to get out of this one.

77th Min – Plenty of chances for France to wrap this game up. Springbok need a miracle. Please!

78th Min – Our scrum is destroyed and a penalty right in front will wrap this game up for France.

Parra kicks France to a 20-13 lead. A draw is still possible with 90 seconds to go.

Full Time France 20 South Africa 13

Hugely disappointing from the Springboks. Once Morne Steyn got carded, the French gained all the momentum. Little errors and better tactical kicking from the French gifted them opportunities and once again our scrum let us down in the second half. It’s becoming a problem.

Th French deserve their win, and they were the better side, but the Springboks have some major areas to tidy up on. I do think some of our top guys look jaded. I’d rest them now and get them fresh for next year, but that will never happen.

2 Consecutive losses on tour is not good. A wonderful season may end up being remembered for the wrong reasons.

South Africa take on France in Toulouse on Friday night in what may be the Boks toughest test match in 2009.

After a poor display from the second string Boks last week against Leicester,  the top Springbok side are determined not to follow the same fate. It has been a wonderful year for the Springboks, and they are determined to finish a long taxing year on a high.

France are often tough to beat in France, and the selection of a small ground with a large partisan crowd in Toulouse will de tough for the Boks if they fall behind early. The French have selected a big, strong, physical pack with big inside backs and will look to match and dominate the Springboks physically.

The Springbok pack has dominated all its opposition so far this year. As long as they match the French side, it will allow the collective genius of Fourie du Preez and Morne Steyn to dictate proceedings.

Adi Jacobs is seen as a weak point amongst many in South Africa and possible by the French side. I am sure he can hold his own and hopefully add an extra attacking dimension to the Bok Backs.

I said at the beginning of the year, Zane Kirchner would be the Springbok fullback by the end of the year, and he now has a chance to make the jersey his own. He possesses all the skills, safe under the high ball, a good kick-chaser, and enters the line well. Compared to Francois Steyn, the man he is replacing, he should ask more questions of the French defence. His incursions into the line will hopefully create more opportunities for Bryan Habana and JP Pietersen.

If all goes to plan, the Springbok should be too good for the French, and win by 10-12.

South Africa:

1. Tendai Mtawarira
2. Bismarck du Plessis
3. John Smit (c)
4. Bakkies Botha
5. Victor Matfield
6. Heinrich Brussow
7. Schalk Burger
8. Ryan Kankowski
9. Fourie du Preez
10. Morne Steyn
11. Bryan Habana
12. Adi Jacobs
13. Jaque Fourie
14. JP Pietersen
15. Zane Kirchner

Reserves
16. Adrianna Strauss
17. Wian du Preez
18. CJ van der Linde
19. Andries Bekker
20. Danie Rousouw
21. Ruan Pienaar
22. Wynand Olivier

France:

1. Fabien Barcella
2. Willem Servat
3. Nicolas Mas
4. Lionel Nallett
5. Romain Millo-Chluuski
6. Theirry Dusautoir (c)
7. Imanol Harinordoquy
8. Louis Picamoles
9. Julien Dupuy
10. Francois Trinh-Duc
11. Cedric Heymans
12. Maxime Mermoz
13. Yann David
14. Vincent Clerc
15. Damien Traille

Reserves
16. Dimitri Szarzewzski
17. Sylvain Marconnet
18. Sebastien Chabal
19. Julien Bonnaire
20. Morgan Parra
21. David Marty
22. Maxime Medard.

Referee:
Wayne Barnes (England)

The Southern Kings missed out as the 15th side in the Super 15 when the competition expands in 2011.

SANZAR announced that Melbourne will be the 15th Super Rugby Team to join the competition in 2011.

An Expert Determination Panel consisting of former Rugby World Cup-winning captain David Kirk and retired New Zealand High Court Judge, the Hon Barry Paterson QC were used to determine the 15th side after no consensus was able to be formed.

South Africa were always going to be shafted, as New Zealand and Australia were never going to allow South Africa a 6th side.

Whilst the Southern Kings presented a more logical rugby proposal and infrastructure, the key reasons for the Experts selecting Melbourne over the Southern Kings were:

• Melbourne has the benefit in geographical location and commercial value to SANZAR

• The 15th Super Rugby team will play in the Australian Conference and travel costs would be lower for a local side.

• To ensure the local derby aspect of matches in Australia

• The Melbourne Application provided considerably greater commercial benefit to SANZAR than the Southern Kings Application

President of the South African Rugby Union (SARU) said “The decision to award the Vodacom Super Rugby expansion franchise to Melbourne had only strengthened the resolve of the South African Rugby Union to see the Southern Kings included in the competition.”

“We are extremely disappointed that the Southern Kings were unsuccessful but this process has proved that the region is ready for a franchise and that it could be up and running from an operational point of view in a very short space of time.”

If SARU were serious about the Southern Kings, then it is time to stop playing lip service and produce some action. South Africa may have enough talent and resources for 6 Super rugby sides, but before that ever happens, the Kings deserve to be given a go as one of the 5 current sides.

It is time to stop saying that the only way the Kings can be found a spot is as the 6th side. Boot one of the Cheetahs or the Lions out of the competition as they are embarassing to South Africa and have been unable to produce results. Better still merge them back into the Cats again.

The Southern Kings deserve the chance to play Super rugby if SARU is truly comitted to rugby in the Eastern Cape and transformation. Once again I fear that all we have is more lip service, and the likelihood of seeing the Kings on the playing field in the near future is highly unlikely.

The annual South African rugby awards were presented on Monday night at a banquet in Johannesburg.

The main award for SA player of the year was won for the second time by scrumhalf Fourie du Preez.

Also nominated were Morne Steyn, John Smit, Victor Matfield and Heinrich Brussow. Any of these players would have been deserving of this award.

du Preez has had an outstanding year, and is the fulcrum behind which both the Springboks and Bulls have been able to base their winning campaigns this year. He is a consistent player, who is rewarded for his hard work, and dedicated attitude.

His option taking this year has been superb, not being afraid to take quick taps and chance his arm, as evident in creating Francois Hougaard’s opening try in the Currie Cup final.

Add to that his solid positional play, safety under the high ball, crisp pass and pin point kicking game, and it is not hard to see why Fourie du Preez has been the world’s premier scrumhalf since he first won the SA rugby player of the year award in 2006.

du Preez had this to say “It’s an incredible year. I don’t think we’ll experience anything like that again and that is why the award was extra special.”

He is now focused on the Springboks end of year tour “It’s important for us to finish the year on a high, but it’s not going to be easy.”

Du Preez was also pleased with the inclusion of his Bulls teammates Heini Adams and Francois Hougaard in the Bok squad. “They deserve it. I think Francois is the guy who will take over from Heini and myself when we finish playing in a year or two.”

After the 2011 World Cup du Preez may leave South Africa to play overseas, “I’m still looking around, but it’s definitely an option. It will not just be about rugby, but will also be a lifestyle choice when I go overseas.”

Whilst du Preez has had a great year, the man I thought deserved the main award was Morne Steyn.

Steyn has had a superb year, being a large reason behind the Bulls and Springbok successes this year. He has played his way into the Springbok side and smashed his way into the record books. To become the fastest Springbok to 100 points against the hardest opposition he could, including having to play off the bench, speaks miles of his achievements.

He is an incredibly humble man, and it is his attitude that allows him to enjoy massive success today. A few years ago his kicking was very wobbly, but one can see how hard he has worked with kicking coach Vlok Cilliers, to become the World’s most accurate kicker.

Morne Steyn captured three awards, the prestigious Players’ Player of the Year Award as well as the Test Player of the Lions Series Award and the Player of the Super 14 Award.

Like Steyn, Heinrich Brussow was a newcomer in the Bok team this year and won the award of Best Provincial Player of the Lions Tour and the Young Player of the Year Award.

Coach of the year went to Peter de Villiers, and in my view he has certainly gotten better and better, and is now one of the world’s leading coaches. However I would have given the award to Paul Treu who has had an outstanding year, and made the Springbok Sevens world title holders.

The Springboks were the SA Rugby Team of the Year, although they would have been pressed hard by the Bulls and the Springbok Sevens.

The full list of awards winners is:

SA Rugby Player of the Year – Fourie du Preez (Vodacom Blue Bulls)

Players’ Player of the Year – Morné Steyn (Vodacom Blue Bulls)

SA Rugby Young Player of the Year – Heinrich Brüssow (Vodacom Free State Cheetahs)

Test player of the Castle South Africa 2009 Lions Series – Morné Steyn (Vodacom Blue Bulls)

Provincial player of the Castle South Africa 2009 Lions Series – Heinrich Brüssow (Vodacom Free State Cheetahs)

SA Rugby Team of the Year – The Springboks

Absa Coach of the Year – Peter de Villiers

Vodacom Super 14 Player of the Year – Morné Steyn (Vodacom Bulls)

Absa Curie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year – Luke Watson (Vodacom Western Province)

Absa Curie Cup First Division Player of the Year – Allistair Kettledas (Pumas)

SuperSport Try of the Year – Jaque Fourie, 2nd Test v British & Irish Lions (Loftus Versfeld)

Sasol Sevens Player of the Year – Frankie Horne

SA Under-20 Player of the Year – Lionel Cronjé (Vodacom Free State Cheetahs)

Vodacom Cup Player of the Year – Jonathan Mokuena (GWK Griquas)

SAA Club Champs Player of the Year – Dustin Jinka (Hamiltons)

SA Rugby Women’s Rugby Achiever of the Year – Saloma Booysen (Eastern Province)

Marriott Refereeing Achievement of the Year – Jonathan Kaplan

Coca-Cola Craven Week Player of the Tournament – Andile Jho (Border)

The Springbok touring squad for the 2009 European tour was named after the Currie Cup Final.

With 2 matches against English club sides, and a herculean effort from some of the experienced Springbok players this year (especially the Bulls), this tour repreents a chance for the Springboks to start developing players for the future and build depth.

South African rugby is extremely healthy at the moment, and it was almost a case of who would be left out as opposed to who would be included.

Whilst many players can probably consider themselves unlucky to miss out, the following players will earn their first caps: Heini Adams, Juan de Jongh, Alistair Hargreaves, Francois Hougaard, Ashley Johnson, Bandise Maku, Dewald Potgieter, Davon Raubenheimer and Riaan Viljoen.

Surprisingly Bandise Maku, Alistair Hargreaves and even Heini Adams, are not first choices for their provinces. I’m not sure Maku (or even Chiliboy Ralepelle) deserve to make the grade as back-up hookers, with Tiaan Liebenberg and Adriaan Strauss considered unlucky.

Davon Raubenheimer can be considered a bolter. His performances were outsanding for Griquas this year, but Jean Deysel and Frans Viljoen may have been unlucky. Many would consider the Western Province duo Duane Vermeulen and Francois Louw worthy of consideration, but I still think they haven’t been consistent enough.

The other surprise for me in the forwards was the inclusion of Heinke van der Merwe as tighthead prop. However de Villiers has worked with him before and rates him very highly. The Cheetahs front row has been dominant the past month, so it is interesting that no Cheetahs props were selected.

In the backs it was surprising to see Riaan Viljoen selected as fullback, but just reward for a consistent season. Lionel Mapoe was a name many expected to see but could not make the cut.

The choice of back-up halfback was interesting as I’ve always rated Heini Adams (there is also Ruan Pienaar and Francois Hougaard who can cover too). It was good to see Ricky Januarie dropped, as his form has been disappointing this year. However I thought both Sarel Pretorius and Jano Vermaak both deserved Springbok caps for outstanding seasons.

I’m also pleased to see Earl Rose there as I think he is a huge talent. Many may criticise de Villiers, but why does no one point the finger at the Lions for not playing him at flyhalf?

Whilst I hope all selections were on merit, the squad is still a strong one, and I’d like to see some of the more experienced players rested as much as possible on tour.

Springbok touring squad 2009

Forwards

John Smit – Sharks, Captain
Victor Matfield – Vodacom Blue Bulls, Vice-Captain
Andries Bekker – Vodacom Western Province
Bakkies Botha – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Heinrich Brüssow – Vodacom Cheetahs
Schalk Burger – Vodacom Western Province
Bismarck du Plessis – Natal Sharks
Jannie du Plessis – Natal Sharks
Alistair Hargreaves* – Natal Sharks
Ashley Johnson* – Vodacom Cheetahs
Ryan Kankowski – Natal Sharks
Bandise Maku* – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Tendai Mtawarira – Natal Sharks
Dewald Potgieter* – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Chiliboy Ralepelle – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Davon Raubenheimer* – GWK Griquas
Danie Rossouw – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Pierre Spies – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Gurthro Steenkamp – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Heinke van der Merwe – Xerox Lions

Backs

Heini Adams* – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Meyer Bosman – Vodacom Cheetahs
Juan de Jongh* – Vodacom Western Province
Fourie du Preez – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Jaque Fourie – Xerox Lions
Bryan Habana – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Francois Hougaard* – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Adi Jacobs – Natal Sharks
Zane Kirchner – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Odwa Ndungane – Natal Sharks
Jongi Nokwe – Vodacom Cheetahs
Wynand Olivier – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Ruan Pienaar – Natal Sharks
JP Pietersen – Natal Sharks
Earl Rose – Xerox Lions (-)
Morne Steyn – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Riaan Viljoen* – GWK Griquas

* Uncapped player

Itinerary

Nov 6 vs Leicester at Welford Road
Nov 13 vs France at Municipal Stadium, Toulouse
Nov 17 vs Saracens at Wembley Stadium
Nov 21 vs Italy at Stadio Friuli, Udine
Nov 28 vs Ireland at Croke Park, Dublin

The Blue Bulls squashed any remaining doubts about their status as South Africa’s premier side with a 36-24 victory over the Free State Cheetahs at Loftus on Saturday.

The final lived up to expectation, with plenty of drama and action.

The Free State Cheetahs signalled their intentions early with some wonderful running. However the Bulls absorbed the pressure and Pierre Spies initiated a breakout after reclaiming a high kick. Derick Kuun was brought down inches short on the left hand side and the Bulls were awarded the penalty. Fourie du Preez it quickly and executed a wonderful cross kick to put Francois Hougaard in the right hand side.

It signalled the pattern for the first 25 minutes of the match as the Cheetahs attacked relentlessly. They had the majority of territory and possession, but the Blue Bulls defence was up to the task. The Cheetahs seemed to make easy metres every time they went wide, the Bulls not rushing up in defence, but happy to let the Cheetahs run at them.

Whenever they got ball, Fourie du Preez orchestrated the attack beautifully and 3 opportunities to break out led to 3 wonderfully taken opportunities. With Morne Steyn in supreme form and able to land a 52m penalty, the Blue Bulls had a 24-0 lead after 25 minutes.

Jacques-Louis Potgieter had an easy penalty chance after 6 minutes, but missed the kick. He blows way too hot and cold at this level, and the Cheetahs needed him to get the scoreboard ticking over. Coming back from 24-0 down was always going to be tough.

However credit to the Cheetahs, for they certainly don’t give up. Most sides who visit Loftus would succumb after a 24-0 lead. The Cheetahs stuck to their game plan, and scored two well worked tries to close the gap to 10 points.

The Bulls had good field position close to the end of the half and worked beautifully into mid-field to set up Morne Steyn for the drop-goal. It showed the difference between the sides. The Bulls’ execution, especially under pressure is faultless. In finals, it is all about building up pressure, and the Bulls know exactly what is required. Even Victor Matfield said after the match he doesn’t have to say anything each time the opposition scores, his side knows exactly what it has to do.

If the Cheetahs could have started well after half-time, they could have worked their way back into the match, but once again the Blue Bulls started well and almost took the game away from the Cheetahs.

Transgressions allowed Morne Steyn to take the lead to 16 points, and in my view they were lucky not to earn a yellow card for repeated infringements at the breakdown.

The Bulls started to relax, and the Cheetahs were dominating the scrums. A poor clearance from a defensive scrum led to wonderful interplay between the Cheetahs forwards and a try that put them back into contention. With a quick drop-goal from Jacques-Louis Potgieter, the Cheetahs were suddenly only 6 points shy.

I thought the Bulls were desperately unlucky when Morne Steyn produced a brilliant chip and chase that resulted in a try to Jaco Pretorius. Not sure what ref Jonathan Kaplan ruled, but the try was not given, and Morne Steyn missed his only kick.

From here the Cheetahs kept transgressing due to the pressure, and the Bulls simply ground out the victory. Perhaps the Cheetahs may rue their game-plan to run everything, but it did seem to work for them. The Blue Bulls on the other hand seemed content to handle whatever was thrown at them, and have so many strings to their bow that makes them difficult counter.

The Cheetahs used their scrum well to exert pressure on the Blue Bulls, I was surprised the Bulls didn’t slow the game further and try to work more lineouts where they once again dominated.

Heinrich Brussow started to become a factor late in the second half, but he was overshadowed by his schoolmate Deon Stegmaan, who was well supported by Dewald Potgieter.

I thought the Bulls players did everything they had to, and the difference in class was evident, but for me their players have also looked slightly jaded after a long, long season. They can now celebrate this victory before their Boks leave for the end of year tour, and their remaining players get together to start preparing to defend their titles for next year!

The Bulls made history as they became the first South African side to achieve the Super 14 and Currie Cup double!

If there was ever any doubt, surely now the Bulls have laid to rest any doubt: They are the premier side in South Africa, and have been for the last 7 years.

Naka Drotske even had to concede, “They’re the best in the world and they have the record to prove it. They’ve been involved in most Currie Cup finals since 2004 and now they’ve won two Super 14 titles and a Currie Cup. So, yes, they are the best in the world.”

Balie Swart has been working as a scrumming consultant recently, and has coached in New Zealand and with the Sharks. He said “No other team with which I have been involved believes as much in hard work as the Bulls do.” That is the secret to the Bulls success, and one can see the development and effort all the players have made in the last few seasons.

They now leave a legacy, and as Frans Ludeke said after the game, “There was a piece missing from the puzzle and tonight we filled that piece. We wanted to leave a legacy and now we’ve achieved that. Credit must go to this special group of players. They showed their character in the semi-final, and they were excellent this evening. They’ve worked hard to get where they are and they’ve reaped the rewards of that hard work.”

It’s fantastic to hear Bulls Captain Victor Matfield say that their success this year won’t mean anything unless they back it up again next year. It’s this attitude they will keep the Bulls at the top next year and beyond!

Blue Bulls:

Zane Kirchner, Francois Hougaard, Jaco Pretorius, Wynand Olivier, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Dewald Potgieter, Deon Stegmann, Victor Matfield (c), Bakkies Botha, Werner Kruger, Derick Kuun, Gurthro Steenkamp.
Reserves: Bandise Maku, Rossouw de Klerk, Danie Rossouw, Pedrie Wannenburg, Heini Adams, Burton Francis, Gerhard van den Heever

Cheetahs:

Hennie Daniller, Lionel Mapoe, Corné Uys, Meyer Bosman, Danwel Demas, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, JP Joubert, Ashley Johnson, Frans Viljoen, Heinrich Brüssow, David de Villiers, Nico Breedt, WP Nel, Adriaan Strauss (c), Wian du Preez. Reserves: Richardt Strauss, Coenie Oosthuizen, Izak van der Westhuizen, Kabamba Floors, Tewis de Bruyn, Louis Strydom, Fabian Juries

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan

A full stadium, and quite a few orange flags around too. Both sides look tense,and the opening 15 minutes are going to be crucial.

4th Min – Wonderful rugby by the Bulls! Great hands by Spies, who created the momentum and Derick Kuun inches short. Wonderful tackle by Lionel Mapoe.

Francois Hougaard scores the try after a Bulls cross kick. And of course Morne Steyn kicks the conversion from a tough angle!

Bulls ahed 7-0! Go Bulls Go!

6th Min – Penalty to the Cheetahs straight away after Bakkies Botha was offside at the ruck. Potgieter has an easy kick and pulls it. Bulls stay at 7-0. Could that kick be an omen for the Cheetahs?

9th Min – Cheetahs look dangerous with the ball in hand. They run straight and direct, and give the ball goood air to create space out wide. This is going to take a toll on the players and open up later in the game.

15th Min – Pressure, pressure, pressure. The Bulls absorbed everything the Cheetahs could throw at them. Once the error came, Fourie du Preez and Bryan Habana combined to make it look way too easy. Try!

Morne Steyn converts to give the Bulls a very handy 14-0 lead.

The Cheetahs have had 76% of the bal so far. Bulls have had to make a lot of tackles.

18th Min – Try to Bryan Habana. Out of nothing! A turnover at the ruck, Fourie du Preez saw the space and Habana’s pace did the rest. Habana had come inside and was ready for the kick. Brilliant.

No one has ever scored more than 2 tries in a Currie Cup final. Could Habana set a new record today?

Steyn converts from the sideline to make it 21-0.

25th Min – Morne Steyn has a chance 52m out and on the difficult angle.

What a kick. Morne Steyn take a bow. Bulls edge out to 24-0.

Bulls sloppy at the kick-off. It’s an area they haven’t looked sharp at today so far.

32nd Min – Sustained Cheetahs pressure and Frans Viljoen hit the ball at awesome pace. Try. The Cheetahs get on the board so there go my hopes of a clean scoresheet!

Pogieter converts to cut the Bulls lead to 24-7.

36th Min -  A second Cheetahs try. In the right corner, they certainly keep coming, and don’t get disheartened.

Potgieter nails the conversion from the sideline. Suddenly it’s only a 10 point gap. Bulls lead 24-14.

40th Min – Well worked by the Bulls from the lineout. We’ve only had 23% of possession, but they worked that beautifully for Morne Steyn to kick a drop goal. Vital points to make it 27-14.

Halftime Blue Bulls 27 Free State Cheetahs 14

It’s been all Cheetahs with territory and possession, but the Bulls have shown their class in nailing opportunities and creating space.

The Bulls will have to make sure they get more territory and possession in the second half. Brussow hasn’t been a factor so far, and I would imagine the Bulls will want to slow it down and ensure there are more lineouts.

40 Minutes is all that stands between this Bulls team and greatness.

43rd Min – Sustained Bulls pressure for the first time in the game. The penalty comes after the Cheetahs have to make lots of tackles.

Morne Steyn kicks the penalty to give the Bulls a handy 30-14 lead.

45th Min – Poor scrum from the Bulls. Shoddy play and the Cheetahs forwards produced some good interplay to score in the corner. Potgieter kicks the conversion and the Bulls lead 30-21.

49th Min – Jacques-Louis Potgieter kicks the drop. In the pocket and kicked it well. C’mon Bulls!!

Bulls 30 lead the Cheetahs 24.

54th Min – Penalty Bulls! About time! Jacques-Louis Potgieter penalised for holding on. C’mon Morne!

Morne Steyn kicks the 45m penalty and the Bulls breathe slightly easier at 33-24.

57th Min – Morne Steyn with a brilliant chip ahead. Not sure what the ruling was by Kaplan. I can’t work it out but the Bulls get a penalty. I thought Jaco Pretorius had a fair try.

Morne Steyn misses the penalty. Not fair!

66th Min – This game is just waiting for someone to produce a moment of brilliance now and win it for their side.

68th Min – Cheetahs discipline lets them down. They talked about not giving Morne Steyn opportunities, but pressure does that.

Morne Steyn kicks a 48m kick, from the tough angle. Bulls ahead 36-24. I think 3 more points will seal it.

74th Min – Cheetahs discipline falling to pieces. Richardt Strauss sent to the sin bin. Good job!

78th Min – Just running down the clock now.

Fulltime

Blue Bulls 36 Free State Cheetahs 24

The Blue Bulls are the CURRIE CUP CHAMPIONS!

What a year for the Bulls! Super 14 Champions. Currie Cup Champions.

The Bulls Boks have won every title they can possibly win. Tri-nations, British and Irish Lions series, World Cup, Freedom Cup, Nelson Mandela plate, Super 14, Currie Cup.