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.”
@grootblousmile –
Verlang ek nou Kaap toe!!!!
Noooord Transvaaaaaaal, moer hulle Bulle!
@Pietman – 210
Okay got you now Piet. It looks great there boet. Never been there ever. Maybe one day will get to go there. The mountain drop at the back there looks great.
Looks like everyone having a great time.
Similar to the Tank. We have fields that surround the Stadium and we all get there early and braai and then braai again after the game.
Going to get myself a season ticket for next year.
Just going to braai with mates today. They coming in about a hour from now. So will blog until then.
@Pietman – 211
After seeing those pics I feel like a trip down to Cape Town too. Beautiful place the Cape.
Middag alle Rugby Kenners asook rugby kinners ( wp )
Ja nee! Kan net n wp ou wees wat ander mans in die toilets afneem!
So whats the weather like in Cape Town and Durban today? Afternoon chaps
209@grootblousmile – It will be bloody sad if Province would move and leave behind such a long history at Newlands. But the new stadium is awesome, 66 000 seats and an open area, safe and beautiful.
Hef, my groot Cheetah tjommie, jy het geregistreer en ek het jou AANVAAR.
Goooooooooooooooi Mieliessssssssssss
209@grootblousmile – En ek wil nou nie snaaks wees nie, maar daai dikgat kan net ‘n Bul wees. Sien hy is buddy met ‘n Province ou.
Greenpoint Stadium in a nice spot there with sea views too.
The Football stadium in Durban also in a great spot too, where you can see the sea from the top. They building a vernicular train that will take people right over the top or you can walk it. Will be a fantastic outlook of Durbs from there.
With my kak knees will take the train…..hehe.
@Puma –
We had a big day there, Thys was there as well, Phillip Burger’s father, he had a little pub in that small house you see in the background…my wife and I, AB and his, GBS and Bonzai, K9, Cuzzy, Kwagga, Boerboel, KP, Isi, Ex-Player, Trupi, Steyna, Karen….the whole bunch.
Started 10 am, finished at 2 am!!!!
@Irish Devil – 215
Howzit Irish, How you doing mate. Good to see you here.
@Puma – Hey mate – nervous today
@Puma – Hi Puma.
Really? So that is what that arch is for? Are we talking about the same thing?
222@Irish Devil – Oirishhhhhh
Check the pictures above, amongst the comments, for a glance at the weather in Cape Town.
@grootblousmile –
Waar is oom Bull se kleinseun?
Ek wil hom groet.
@Irish Devil – 215
Weather overcast in Durbs today Irish. Looks like rain for later.
219@Puma – I’ve been to Kings Park. Beautifull place too.
My company was involved with the design of the stadium (with the Durbs one as well). If you look to the right you’ll see a yacht harbour (Granger Bay), have been involved there too. Really beautiful that area.
@Puma – @grootblousmile – Was that pic taken today mate? That stadium pic is fantastic mate. How are things. All nervous or overly confident.
So if overcast advantage Sharks – right
Weather forecast for tonight: Dark. Continued dark overnight, with widely scattered light by morning.
225@Pietman – Hy het pas geregistreer, ek het Hefster ‘n mail ook gestuur
@The-Pill – lol
@The-Pill – 223
Yes. They going to have a vernicular train go over the top and a walk way. Awesome hey!
228@Irish Devil – Nervous, it’s going to be very tight.
The “crowd” pictures taken today by KingPaul….
Boerboel sent me the Greenpoint Stadium pic, it was’nt taken today though.
@Irish Devil – 228
Think KingPaul took that photo. Today yes. The stadium looks great there Irish.
The one in Durbs looking really awesome too. Will try and get pics of if and send it to GBS to put up here too. Not today though not going to the stadium. Pity.
@grootblousmile – I think the Bulls will walk it mate. Think the Sharks game will be a close call! So a good game of running rugby then.
@Puma – Now that is a ride i must take!
@grootblousmile –
Mooi!
Ek wil met hom praat.
Sy oupa was n legende in die Molopo, met manne soos Tarzan Jacobs en Willeman van die Kalahari wat hy afgerig het.
Hy (oom Bull met die sigaar en my pa en my oom Willem daar op die plaas het dikwels saam gekuier, oom Bull het sulke mooosa hande gehad, altyd met ons laaities gestoei en gespeel, sigaar innie mond, met n dawerende lag….).
Waar is sy kleinseun, hy Hef, kom uit jong!!!!
@Boerboel – 277
Looking at that harbour now. Looks great. Will see it proper when I go down there. Really feel like a weekend in the Cape this year. Have not been there for about 5 years now. It has been too long. Used to go every year for a week or more.
@Puma – Your predictions Puma? Mine Bulls by 14 and Sharks by 5!
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