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Stephen Nell
Cape Town – Both teams have x-factor, but only one of them can call on the services of the best goalkicker in South Africa.
That was the case when Western Province beat the Sharks in the Currie Cup finals of 2000 and 2001 with the help of Braam van Straaten, and so it will be again with Willem de Waal in 2010.
De Waal (32) will conclude a glittering career in South African domestic rugby in Saturday’s final before linking up with Italian side Treviso.
Unlike many of his team-mates and opponents this weekend he has not yet played Test rugby for the Springboks, but WP certainly won’t complain about the man wearing their No 10 jersey in Saturday’s final against the Sharks.
“Willem is the best goalkicker in the competition and we’re happy to have him in the side. He fits in well in our game plan and has an important role to play,” said WP backline coach Robbie Fleck.
“There has been some criticism that he stands too deep, but we encourage him to play to his strengths. He also has a great pass. Willem really stepped forward in our last three games. You don’t get many opportunities in a final and Willem will punish mistakes and lapses in discipline.”
Of course, there is nothing much wrong with 20-year-old Sharks flyhalf Patrick Lambie, who is also an accomplished kicker and possesses a good temperament.
Yet De Waal is a proven match-winner at this level and two penalties from inside his own half in the semi-final against Free State Cheetahs is testimony to a player that embraces the big occasion. He has succeeded with 83 of his 97 kicks at posts in this year’s Currie Cup.
De Waal is the tournament’s leading points scorer on 215 and Lambie is second on 180.
The goalkickers may well have a major influence on the outcome of the game. Yet Fleck believes the final may still be settled by a moment of individual brilliance.
“That x-factor can make the difference in a tight game,” he said.
“We’re fortunate to have one or two good steppers, but the same applies to the Sharks with Ryan Kankowski, Lwazi Mvovo and Keegan Daniel. Kankowski really put us to the sword in the league game in Durban.”
Fleck was WP’s outside centre when they won the Currie Cup with a 25-15 win in the Shark Tank back in 2000. However, he is yet to share his wisdom about approaching a final with the class of 2010.
“That was a bloody long time ago! I have not chatted much about it. That will probably only happen on Friday or Saturday,” said Fleck.
“Our build-up to the game has been very good. We already did our preparation last week and the plan is in place. There is a great relaxed atmosphere. The homework has been done.
“There are a few guys here like Willem and Bryan Habana that have played in Currie Cup finals. There is a lot of experience we can fall back on.”
Cape Town – Both teams have x-factor, but only one of them can call on the services of the best goalkicker in South Africa.
That was the case when Western Province beat the Sharks in the Currie Cup finals of 2000 and 2001 with the help of Braam van Straaten, and so it will be again with Willem de Waal in 2010.
De Waal (32) will conclude a glittering career in South African domestic rugby in Saturday’s final before linking up with Italian side Treviso.
Unlike many of his team-mates and opponents this weekend he has not yet played Test rugby for the Springboks, but WP certainly won’t complain about the man wearing their No 10 jersey in Saturday’s final against the Sharks.
“Willem is the best goalkicker in the competition and we’re happy to have him in the side. He fits in well in our game plan and has an important role to play,” said WP backline coach Robbie Fleck.
“There has been some criticism that he stands too deep, but we encourage him to play to his strengths. He also has a great pass. Willem really stepped forward in our last three games. You don’t get many opportunities in a final and Willem will punish mistakes and lapses in discipline.”
Of course, there is nothing much wrong with 20-year-old Sharks flyhalf Patrick Lambie, who is also an accomplished kicker and possesses a good temperament.
Yet De Waal is a proven match-winner at this level and two penalties from inside his own half in the semi-final against Free State Cheetahs is testimony to a player that embraces the big occasion. He has succeeded with 83 of his 97 kicks at posts in this year’s Currie Cup.
De Waal is the tournament’s leading points scorer on 215 and Lambie is second on 180.
The goalkickers may well have a major influence on the outcome of the game. Yet Fleck believes the final may still be settled by a moment of individual brilliance.
“That x-factor can make the difference in a tight game,” he said.
“We’re fortunate to have one or two good steppers, but the same applies to the Sharks with Ryan Kankowski, Lwazi Mvovo and Keegan Daniel. Kankowski really put us to the sword in the league game in Durban.”
Fleck was WP’s outside centre when they won the Currie Cup with a 25-15 win in the Shark Tank back in 2000. However, he is yet to share his wisdom about approaching a final with the class of 2010.
“That was a bloody long time ago! I have not chatted much about it. That will probably only happen on Friday or Saturday,” said Fleck.
“Our build-up to the game has been very good. We already did our preparation last week and the plan is in place. There is a great relaxed atmosphere. The homework has been done.
“There are a few guys here like Willem and Bryan Habana that have played in Currie Cup finals. There is a lot of experience we can fall back on.”
