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Stephen Nell
Cape Town – "Tired of losing" should hardly be the refrain of a Western Province rugby player at the moment, but when it comes to Currie Cup semifinals at Newlands, it is strangely enough the case for Schalk Burger.
“I have lost three semifinals at Newlands. I was hoping that last year would be a lucky number three. It was close, but we could not make it,” said the Western Province captain.
Burger knows from previous experience that it will be a huge mistake to underestimate the Free State Cheetahs on Saturday.
They beat WP 17-11 at a wet Newlands in 2004 and it was a similar story the following year, with Willem de Waal scoring all Free State’s points in a 16-11 victory.
Burger captained the WP side that lost in 2005 and he was a substitute last year when the combination of Sireli Naqelevuki’s high tackle and Morné Steyn’s penalty condemned them to a 19-21 defeat against the Blue Bulls.
There have, of course, been changes since De Waal was a thorn in WP’s flesh in 2004 and 2005. He is now WP’s flyhalf, while the chief architect of Free State’s upset wins, Rassie Erasmus, is WP’s director of coaching.
Burger’s desire to win the 2009 semifinal was clear in his thumping tackle on Bulls scrumhalf Fourie du Preez.
Now he’s back as captain and will be looking to achieve his ambition of a first Currie Cup winner’s medal.
History suggests it will be a tough game for WP, even if with their contracted Springboks back.
“It’s never easy to play against Free State. They have a very good record in the Currie Cup and we have huge respect for them,” said Burger.
“I have not been in a Currie Cup final with WP. It’s something the team and I really would like to achieve. It’s not going to be easy, but we’ll try our best.”
Province’s forwards performed well against the Sharks on Saturday and that should give them confidence for the clash against the Cheetahs.
“We were good as a pack, but don’t want to talk too quickly. The Cheetahs have a strong pack of forwards,” said Burger.
Sharks coach John Plumtree anticipates a thriller between WP and Free State.
“You can’t take the Cheetahs lightly. Any one of the teams in the semifinal can win the competition. The match between us and the Bulls will be close and I’m sure it will be the same in the Cape,” said Plumtree.
Cape Town – "Tired of losing" should hardly be the refrain of a Western Province rugby player at the moment, but when it comes to Currie Cup semifinals at Newlands, it is strangely enough the case for Schalk Burger.
“I have lost three semifinals at Newlands. I was hoping that last year would be a lucky number three. It was close, but we could not make it,” said the Western Province captain.
Burger knows from previous experience that it will be a huge mistake to underestimate the Free State Cheetahs on Saturday.
They beat WP 17-11 at a wet Newlands in 2004 and it was a similar story the following year, with Willem de Waal scoring all Free State’s points in a 16-11 victory.
Burger captained the WP side that lost in 2005 and he was a substitute last year when the combination of Sireli Naqelevuki’s high tackle and Morné Steyn’s penalty condemned them to a 19-21 defeat against the Blue Bulls.
There have, of course, been changes since De Waal was a thorn in WP’s flesh in 2004 and 2005. He is now WP’s flyhalf, while the chief architect of Free State’s upset wins, Rassie Erasmus, is WP’s director of coaching.
Burger’s desire to win the 2009 semifinal was clear in his thumping tackle on Bulls scrumhalf Fourie du Preez.
Now he’s back as captain and will be looking to achieve his ambition of a first Currie Cup winner’s medal.
History suggests it will be a tough game for WP, even if with their contracted Springboks back.
“It’s never easy to play against Free State. They have a very good record in the Currie Cup and we have huge respect for them,” said Burger.
“I have not been in a Currie Cup final with WP. It’s something the team and I really would like to achieve. It’s not going to be easy, but we’ll try our best.”
Province’s forwards performed well against the Sharks on Saturday and that should give them confidence for the clash against the Cheetahs.
“We were good as a pack, but don’t want to talk too quickly. The Cheetahs have a strong pack of forwards,” said Burger.
Sharks coach John Plumtree anticipates a thriller between WP and Free State.
“You can’t take the Cheetahs lightly. Any one of the teams in the semifinal can win the competition. The match between us and the Bulls will be close and I’m sure it will be the same in the Cape,” said Plumtree.
