It’s been more than 30 years since THAT tackle at Loftus, but the names Morne du Plessis and Naas Botha still perfectly sum up why Western Province-Blue Bulls clashes are so special. Saturday’s Currie Cup semifinal at Newlands will be no different.
In 1977, Du Plessis felled the darling of Loftus with a great tackle, perfectly within the laws, but marginally late. The crowd exploded, and the gangly Du Plessis, hated up north at the best of times, had to be escorted off the field by police after the final whistle.
Botha was stretchered off and Pierre Edwards nailed the winning penalty for Northern Transvaal.
‘this rivalry is the one that stirs the blood the most’
It remains one of the most talked-about incidents in the history of South African rugby.
Fast forward to 2009. Du Plessis and Botha are legends of the South African game, but they are still polarised by provincialism.
Du Plessis this week equated WP-Bulls games with Tests between the Springboks and the All Blacks.
“You know, without any disrespect to the other provinces, I just think that, as far as I can remember, it seems to be that this rivalry is the one that stirs the blood the most. It’s almost akin to the Springboks playing the All Blacks.
“There is just something in it that, through the ages, has grown,” said Du Plessis.
Botha couldn’t hold back when he got an opportunity to get a jibe in at the former WP and Springbok captain – but all in a good spirit of course. “That tackle was part of the play, but it cost Western Province a Currie Cup. It didn’t win it for them, it cost them.
“Pierre (Edwards) kicked over the penalty. When they lost there, they were out of the Currie Cup. It was us and Free State in the final.”
@Boerboel – 296
When you have time give those pics to GBS to put up here.
Cheetahs!!!!!!!!! No way boet. SHARKS…HEHE.
Enjoy the game at Newlands.
@Irish Devil –
CT is a wonderful place, you must try and get there during a WP game, it’s like Dublin Rd almost.
Great people, great beers and bbq’s around the stadium, but shyte rugby, hehehehehehe!
For rugby, Loftus or Sharks Tank is the place to be, in SA.
Moses Mabida Stadium, Durban
@grootblousmile –
@303
Wtf is Moses Mabida?
First WP final dream shattered.
OVS has just beaten WP u/19 14-13.
@Irish Devil – 300
Very true Irish, this is now at the knock out stages. My team can only do their best. If they lose a big up to the Cheetah players. They have done it to us before plenty.
Just hope not today..LOL.
You right Irish the sun does come up and life is still great no matter what.
Just really hoping for a Bulls/Sharks final. Nothing better to watch in SA at the moment. Although both these games going to be awesome today. I think both games going to be tight. Maybe WP may run it more. Cheetash enjoy doing that but if it rains they wont really be able to play that sort of game.
305@isigidi – Goooooooo Cheetahs !!
@Pietman – Will definetely add to my wish list. Love to watch a match at Loftus and Sharks Tank too. Carol loved Loftus.
That is one magnificent stadium that – googled the stadiums as I really want to travel for 2010 Soccer World Cup.
@isigidi –
Good!
Now for the next teardrop….
Thanks GBS for post 303.
Irish mate, can you see the football stadium in Durban? Thats the new one being built for next year. They going to have a vernicular train going over the top and or you can walk it. Going to be great view on the top there.
@Irish Devil – Irish look at post 303 you will see the new football stadium for world cup 2010.
Then to the bottom of that pic you can see the Shark Tank.
@Puma – I see the Bulls are hoping for a Cheetahs win – then a home final at Loftus. It would be good for SA rugby to see the two champion teams in the final though.
@Puma – That is one great looking stadium mate. Are the Sharks going to use it in future or are they staying at the Shark Tank?
312@Irish Devil – By CHAMPION TEAMS, surely you’re referring to BULLS & SHARKS….
@Irish Devil – 312
Ja, they will be hoping for that so they can hold it at Loftus. Sharks win it will be at the Tank and think we should be playing Bulls there. Really hoping our two teams make it. The best two teams in the country and also the best rugby to watch against those two teams.
Both teams have about 11 Boks in their teams. So it does not get better than that. Though the games today will be tough too.
@grootblousmile – What I meant GBS. Sorry the Guinness is taking effect.
@grootblousmile – 303
Lyk van daai angle soos n Pie met n Handvatsel.
Moet befonk wees om oor daai arch te travel!
@Irish Devil – 313
They want us to move over but don’t think the Sharks want to move over Irish. I have seen that stadium its awesome but the seats go up more to watch football. Not sure how good you will see rugby in that stadium. Also the ground is oval and for me that is not good to watch rugby. Like a square ground as you feel like you sitting right next to the game.
@Puma – I’m sure you will be rooting for Province though. Think the Sharks would rather play Province than the ‘super’ bulls. Just looked at that Bulls team – it looks like a Springbok team. Jeez you guys have some star players there.
@Puma – 318
At the tank the seats go really high up. Probably better to watch rugby with the stands like that.
@Puma – Yes, and it is right next door to the Tank…whose idea was that,Julius Malema’s? two stadiums on one acre of ground…!
@Puma – I read an article somewhere that for the new stadiums to be viable, they would need to play rugby at the stadiums. Can’t remember where I read it – I think it was on Ryan Air magazine.
@Irish Devil – 319
Maybe some Shark supporters may be rooting for WP but I really want a Bulls/Sharks final. It will be tough. Bulls are a powerhouse but Sharks have just as many Boks in their side.
We just don’t have BAKKIES, Vic, FdP and Morne Steyn who can win Bulls games almost on their own.
But we do have some great Boks in the Sharks too. We beat them last year in the final. Then this year in the S14 they beat us by one point. Its always epic battles between those two teams. Just want to see the best against the best in the final.
Preview of the Sharks / Cheetahs match starts in 10 minutes on Supersport 1 here in SA
@Puma – Of course – to be the best you need to beat the best.
@Pietman – 321
I know right together the stadiums. Crazy Piet.
@Puma –
@323
Bulls/Sharks it is, in Durbs.
Stop worrying old friend, its’s on the charts….
@Irish Devil – 322
They do want us to move over to the new stadium. Its a beauty but really not sure if its good to watch rugby there.
Yes if rugby does not use it probably will be a lot of money wasted there. Just don’t think we will move over unless we are pushed to do so.
@Pietman – 327
Hahaha. Thanks Piet. You give me confidence boet.
@Puma – And what will happen to the Tank then?
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