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.”

342 Responses to Does it get any better than Bulls v WP?

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  • 181

    Luke is a great captain, well done Luke, may you have a great game, win or lose!

  • 182

    @Boerboel – 131

    Thought the winter in the Cape was dreadful….haha.

    Nothing beats the winter in Durban. Has to be the best weather in the world at that time.

    Hardly no wind no humidity. Temps about 25 everyday. Nights about 15. Awesome. The sea is brilliant then too. The surf is awesome for those that paddle ski or surf. Used to paddle ski but stopped doing that years back now.

  • 183

    GREETINGS PEOPLES

    GO SHARKES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and
    GO BULLS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Makeup on – check
    clean jeans – check
    booze and meat packed – check
    looking bloody divine – check

  • 184

    @Boerboel – 131

    Vaalies know our great weather in Durbs in the winter too. So it is not a secret to them. Have thousands coming here in the holidays.

    I never go near the beach in Dec. Too crowded.

  • 185

    @Treehugger – 183

    Hello Treehugger. Had a good laugh there. You sound all set to be off in a minute. Where you going to watch the game?

  • 186

    182@Puma – Been on holiday in Durbs in winter, great weather, but days too short! Cape Town almost the same (when it is not raining), but days are longer, more to enjoy.

  • 187

    Noooord Transvaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaal!

  • 188

    @Boerboel – 186

    We should have the clock change here like they do in Europe. Why they don’t have no idea.

    Your summer months are great with the long evenings.

    Here its sun up by 4.30am. Down by about 7pm. If we could change the clocks it would be sun up 5.30 and down by 8.30pm.

    In beauty there is NO contest between any city in the country. Cape Town the most beautiful and may I say in the world too. Been just about everywhere around the world and NOTHING beats the beauty of Cape Town in the summer.

  • 189

    @Puma – 188

    Only Durbans winter weather has to beat Cape Town there..LOL.

  • 190

    Wag, laat ek gou n bier gaan haal, my pa het sy WP-kepsie op en hy loer my……

  • 191

    @Puma – Hello dear Puma, am off to our old stomping ground Kloof, lived there for many years before moveing into bundu’s. Husband did his schooling there and i did my last couple of months there when moved back to SA. Got lots of bad friends there. Going to a lovely big house on kloof gorge, friend had one of those big projector screens set up and there is going to be about 40 of us. Going to be leaveing any minute now. Unfortunatly ther is bad mist about here and most proberly down there as well. GO SHARKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • 192

    What happened to Treehugger. Just a quick hello but no bye? Come back here young lady and say totsiens almal.

  • 193

    hAVE TO GO. hAVE A LOVELY TIME EVERY ONE.

    SHARKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • 194

    @Treehugger – 191

    Love Kloof area. Beautiful there especially the gorge.

    Where did you live when overseas?

  • 195

    188@Puma – I totally agree on the summer/winter time. If we can set the clock forward by one hour in summer the sun will set at 9pm!!! If we have a permanent one hour time zone change (earlier) and summer time the sun will set at 10pm, like in Europe. Would that not be great? I always blamed the dumb NATS but it seems the ANC is as stupid.

  • 196

    @Treehugger
    Sounds lekker there in Kloof, enjoy!!!!

  • 197

    @Treehugger – 193

    We will do. Enjoy Treehugger. You are a fun lady.

  • 198

    Yet more from KingPaul
    King Paul 07
    King Paul 08
    King Paul 09
    King Paul 10

  • 199

    @Boerboel – 195

    Ja, we should change the clocks. Especially with our great weather. Would love to have those long evenings we had in Holland. The very north of Scotland the sun only goes down at 11pm. Then it hardly gets too dark either.

    One time read they were thinking about it but nothing has been done. Pity would be awesome.

  • 200

    Cheers everybody…on my way. May the teams who plays the most attractive rugby on the day win.

  • 201

    GBS, I’ve just mailed you a pic of the new Greenpoint Stadium. It may be appropriate to place it here if you don’t mind. It may just be WP’s new home from 2011.

  • 202

    GBS thanks for those pics. Just as well those okes where not fronting the camera in the loo……….HAHAHAHAHA. Had a good laugh there.

    Looks like everyone having a great time braaing already.

  • 203

    @K9-MonsterLeeu – Cheers K9, enjoy where ever you go.

  • 204

    @Boerboel – 201

    Sharks may have to move but read on Sharky’s article that Sharks have a lease up to year 2056 so I will be long dead by then. So have nothing to worry about..LOL.

  • 205

    201@Boerboel – Will do so… hectic here with pics and all… heheehe

  • 206

    @Puma
    We were there that day!!!!
    16 feb, if memory serves….

  • 207

    @K9-MonsterLeeu – 200

    Cheers K9

  • 208

    @Pietman – 206

    Not too sure which post to answer from. Need to put the posts number on otherwise cant see which one to answer. Where were you on 16th of Feb Piet?

  • 209

    Greenpoint Stadium
    GP

    More from KingPaul
    King Paul 11

  • 210

    @Puma
    At Newlands, WP/Bulls game, Groote Schuur school grounds, behind the North Stand…..been going there for 40 years, as a WP supporter.
    This is my first year as an ‘appie’ Bull, hehehehehehe!

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