Front page allegations of racism at the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union have clouded the Sharks’ build-up to the Currie Cup semi-final against their perennial rivals, the resurgent Blue Bulls, on Saturday.

(Careful, we do not want the discussion below to get out of hand)

Sport24 – Gary Boshoff

Further to this, it also seems as if the Absa transformation debacle and the SARU president’s email (which he sent to all his provincial affiliates) have now boomeranged on former president of the KZNRU, and current SARU president, Oregan Hoskins. 

It is going to be interesting to see how Hoskins and the KZNRU handles the threat of the protesting parties to walk out of the rugby union structures if their concerns are not addressed urgently.

As of late there have been rumblings in a number of provincial unions on the issue of transformation or more specifically, the lack thereof. 

Clubs affiliated to the Falcons Rugby Union recently called in the assistance of the Human Rights Commission to investigate serious allegations of racism and discrimination at the union, while the Cheetahs, Western Province, EP Kings, Griffons, Lions, Blue Bulls, Leopards and Pumas have all been criticised for a lack of representation on the field of play. 

In spite of this general discontent and non-compliance with the undertaking to foster transformation and change, SARU has yet to come up with a comprehensive transformational strategy (clear goals and objectives) to address the transformational challenge in a concerted and systematic manner. 

In fact, since the scrapping of quotas, the only transformational action that came from SARU has been general appeals to its provincial affiliates to advance the objectives of transformation – on this provinces are pretty much left to their own devices.

It is high time that SARU clarify its official position on transformation and how these imperatives should manifest itself in the rugby environment. 

Pussy footing around the issue has resulted in suspicion about whether there exists enough political will within SARU to face the issue head-on. 

SARU has been happy to reactive (when problems rear their heads) rather than proactively forecasting and preparing strategic initiatives to address the concerns of all the stakeholders on this sensitive matter. 

The threats of a walk-out by the KZNRU protesters is a sign that patience is running out at grassroots level and if SARU does not come up with a definitive plan soon, this groundswell of protest is bound to gain momentum.

Meanwhile, the Currie Cup semi-finals at Kings Park and Newlands will feature the top four provinces in South African rugby. Both these games are too close to call. While the Sharks will have the home ground advantage in Durban, the Blue Bulls will arrive with renewed confidence after their morale boosting wins over WP and Griquas, as well as the return of several key Springboks. 

Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield and Pierre Spies hold the biggest threat for the Sharks – they will certainly contest every lineout ball and put Alistair Hargreaves and Steven Sykes under immense pressure. 

Add to the mix the aggressive Danie Rossouw and the scavenger, Deon Stegmann and it is easy to understand why the Bulls are being tipped as favourites. 

However, the Blue Bulls’ challenge will be up front where Werner Kruger and Dean Greyling have not been able to stabilise the Blue Bulls’ scrum (the loss of Gurthro Steenkamp was a massive blow to the Blue Bulls’ chances). The Sharks’ all-Springbok front row will certainly target them from the word go.

The other major concern for the Blue Bulls is their midfield defence where Jaco Pretorius seems to be the weak link. With Adrian Jacobs back to full fitness, the midfield defence of the Bulls will be fully tested.   

In Cape Town, Western Province will be fancying their chances against the Cheetahs. However, with Juan Smith and CJ van der Linde back in the team, the rest of their team-mates won’t need any motivation to upstage their hosts at Newlands. They did it during the league stages of the competition and will believe that they can do it again.
 
There is something magical about the Cheetahs when it comes to the Currie Cup playoffs. It is as if they shift over to a higher gear and tend to upstage their more fancied opponents with consistent regularity. Ashley Johnson, Hennie Daniller and the front row “twins”, WP Nel and Coenie Oosthuizen, have been the dangermen in the Cheetahs’ attack and seem to grow in stature week after week after week. If they can maintain their present form, WP will be in for a battle royal to reach their first Currie Cup final since 2001.

So who will progress to the final? I’m leaning towards a WP v Blue Bulls final at Newlands. What do you think?