What a weekend of brilliant rugby, we as South African's are actually so privileged to be where we are today! The amount of quality rugby that we get to watch on the weekly is the kind of stuff you can only dream of!
The Bulls pulled off an incredible Semi-Final win against arguably one of the best Club sides in the world at the moment, Leinster. An incredible fight it was and the best team ended up on top of course.
The second Semi- final in the URC went down to the wire, 6 minutes of overtime to be precise! A very hard fought battle between the two sides, a very physical match up as well. A Stormers try was scored in the 84th minute of play which levelled the scores. It all came down to a kick that I am almost certain didn't go through but was awarded anyway! I would love to see all the angles and a good old slow-mo just for the giggle, just to know if it truly went over or not. Congratulations to the Stormers and the Bulls on your wins! Good luck down in Cape Town, I hope the game comes down to the wire again and good rugby is enjoyed by us all.
The Springboks:
Pretty much the whole world has seen the latest Springbok Test Squad announcement but we are going to discuss it again, because its just something you cant get tired of talking about!
Marcell Coetzee has been named in the Bok Squad for the first time in what feels like a decade! There is no player more deserving of a Bok call up than him. The season he is having with the Bulls has honestly been one of the best in his career, if not THE BEST! He has been a contender for most steals and turnovers won. He has just played a semi-final where he was the top tackler on 27 tackles. That's absurd my guy. The most well deserved spot in the squad I reckon!
Deon Fourie, at the ripe young age of 35 years old has just been selected and also an extremely well deserved spot. He has won the most Turnovers in the URC, making him an absolute unit. Congratulations on the Bok call up, Deon. The form that he has had this URC tournament is unmatched.
Next we have Nthutuko Mchunu, known to me as Khuta. I had the privilege to play against Mchunu as a school boy and what a flippen unit he was in those days too! He most certainly weighs more now but he was still scary when he was younger!
Andre Esterhuizen has also made his way back into the Bok jersey after he has had a cracker of a season in the Premiership, taking multiple man of the match awards. He has been in the form of his life and it would be epic to see him replace De Allende and watch Am and Esterhuizen work some magic in the midfield.
Roos. The pride and joy of the Stormers rugby team. This guy is an animal; incredibly strong, durable and fit. He has made the most significant contribution to his side this season and has even been awarded Fans favorite player, he's just a big boy that wants to hurt a lot of people. I don't know who made this guy so cross but I am so glad I get to witness his brutish behavior.
I have seen a few articles about guys asking Du Preez brothers or Roos and Louw. I personally think that Roos and Louw are your better bet, just based on form. All 4 these guys are incredibly tough and physical.
I must hand it to the Coaching staff in the Bok camp. They have really selected players based on their current form, not on potential or past success. That is what is going to make this team so versatile. Brilliant by Nienaber.
Some Springbok omissions are Duane Vermeulen, Frans Steyn and RG Snyman all due to injury. Hopefully these guys can make speedy recoveries and be back on the pitch soon.
My only concern about this squad is the fact that we only have 2 Fly halves. Jantjies and Pollard. Jantjies has been on his worst behavior in the media in the past few months with that whole airport situation. If we are faced with a situation where Pollard gets injured, do we throw Johan Goosen the 10 Jersey? The answer isn't as simple as we think. Goosen has one of the coolest heads in a pressure situation, he kicks, he runs, he defends. He is solid. I definitely start Goosen over Jantjies but do we not need to have a younger fly half in the alignment camp just watching and making notes because next year is a RWC year and we cant be short on brilliant 10's if we need them.