Gary Boshoff

It wasn’t difficult to decide the subject of this week’s column as the Springboks were back to their bad habits in Brisbane and are now gliding down the highway towards self destruction. Why waste time lamenting yellow cards, poor attitude and form when we have the Currie Cup in our own backyard? 

Yes, I’d rather reflect on the scintillating Currie Cup action of the weekend than moan about Irish referees, tip tackles and citing officers. 

The Boks could surely do with some of the fighting spirit displayed by the Cheetahs, Blue Bulls, Griquas and Leopards during their respective Currie Cup fixtures this past weekend especially.

Even at Under-21 level the Cheetahs and Blue Bulls dished up breathtaking rugby at Loftus Versfeld. Perhaps it is ambition, enthusiasm, confidence or the exuberance of youth, whatever it is the Boks need some of it. This past weekend’s Currie Cup games had loads of it on display.

In Kimberley Dawie Theron’s Griquas turned a huge deficit around to complete their second come-from-behind victory in as many weeks, against a stunned Lions side. After sending the Sharks packing last week, the Griquas team can only grow stronger as the competition goes on. Theron has done a great job with this squad of players having turned them into a confident competitive unit. 

They narrowly missed the playoffs last year and look set to go at least one step further in 2010. Players like Wesley Wilkins, Leon Karremaker, Ryno Barnes, Rian Viljoen and Bjorn Basson have shown that they are equal to the task and will challenge for top honours in this competition.

However, Loftus Versfeld hosted two remarkable come-from-behind wins with both the Cheetahs Under-21 and Currie Cup sides beating their arch-rivals in nail-biting finishes in classic contests. 

The Cheetahs Under-21 side was impressive in their win in that despite heavily stacked odds, they came back and won in the last minute. Last week they lost in similar fashion against WP but learned from their mistakes and turned the tables on the Bulls’ youngsters. 

George Whitehead the Cheetahs pivot was outstanding. He demonstrated the value of quality flyhalf play. He has all the attributes of a great player in the making with great running, kicking and ball distribution skills. Together with his captain, Pieter van Zyl, and the devastating running of Kholo Ramashala, the Blue Bulls stood no chance in the end. 

It was one of the most entertaining, high quality rugby matches I’ve watched this year. On the Blue Bulls’ side, Marnus Schoeman and Tendayi Chikukwa caught the eye while Simphiwe Mtimkulu and Cornell Hess are highly talented rugby players who are sure to rise through the ranks in years to come.

However, it was the Cheetahs senior side that showed the temperament needed to succeed at the highest level.

While watching this match I wondered why the Springboks couldn’t play with the same control, passion, commitment and patience as their Cheetah counterparts. The composure of the whole Cheetahs side, under the guidance of their leader Juan Smith, despite the overwhelming odds, even after the siren had gone, was something to witness. You can bet on it that Smith will take the field against the All Blacks on August 21. His contribution on Saturday was huge and the Boks have missed his presence in Australasia.

South Africa are producing top-class players at an alarmingly rapid rate, a process that is in no small way aided by the Varsity Cup, Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup competitions. 

Players like WP Nel, Coenie Oosthuizen, Ashley Johnson, Ruan Snyman and Stefan Watermeyer underline the massive player depth South African rugby has at the moment.

So while our national team might be going through a wobble or two at the moment, we can take solace from the fact that the domestic game is strong and healthy and that it is only a matter of time before the Boks turn the corner and return to winning ways.