It took South Africa years of humiliation to become a title contenders in Super Rugby.
During those dark days, New Zealanders and Australians even suggested South African teams should be kicked out of the Super 12 because its teams couldn’t cut it at that level.
Article by Pieter Jordaan, Beeld
However, those same whingers this year had to sit and sulk at the other end of the globe, and for the third time in four years had to watch the Super 14 final on TV.
This year’s final between the Bulls and the Stormers was a triumph for South African rugby and precisely one of the reasons why the Springboks’ struggles for the rest of the year were so unacceptable.
Apart from the Bulls and the Stormers deserving their spots in the final, the game was also a triumph on another level.
The Orlando Stadium was the host for this final and also where one of the previous week’s semi-final matches was played, and Soweto welcomed spectators with open arms and with great success.
As long as rugby is seen as a nation builder and not a nation divider, there is little to complain about and this was a rugby victory par excellence.
Even more so for the Bulls team, who with a golden generation of Bulls players took their third Super 14 title and wouldn’t have preferred any other contestants in the final than their old Cape Town enemies.
This after the Bulls killed off New Zealand’s hopes in the semi-final by beating the Crusaders.
And the Stormers silenced the Aussies by beating the Waratahs in their semi-final victory in Cape Town without building up too much of a sweat.
Morné Steyn kicked the records to shreds for Frans Ludeke’s Bulls team, and scrumhalf Fourie du Preez helped to elevate his status from star player to that of a legend.
The final between South Africa’s two best regional teams was also a taste of what could lie ahead in 2011 when the series will include 15 teams.
In 2011 the programme will allow for more opportunities for traditional local derbies, with the SA teams each taking each other on twice during the league stages.
The Bulls were the last winners of a Super 14 series, but the 2010 series was also not only moonshine and roses for SA.
The Sharks must wonder what could have been, because, based on their form in the second part of the series, they also showed that they were potential winners.
But they paid the price for being too slow to get going, and eventually fell too far behind.
The Cheetahs team made great progress, but they still didn’t have the depth to be real contenders.
And the Lions?
The achievements of the Bulls and the Stormers will be noted in the record books.
But 2010 was a year in which the Lions’ results were a blot on SA rugby’s name.
Most of the unwelcome records are now in the public domain after the Lions’ most recent building phase collapsed like a shack in the New Orleans flood.
It is truly sad, because apart from the Lions’ 13 defeats in 13 matches, 2010 was a year in which the Super rugby series became something to which South Africa rugby supporters will look forward to even more in future.
Finally! My favorite part of the rugby season is just around the corner.
Next year will be helluva interesting for a couple of reasons.
1.) You can almost say that in 2010, SA produced 3 teams that are basically on par and should all be contenders for any 2011 competition they play in.
The Bulls will continue doing what they have been for the last 6 years, and I have a sneaky suspicion that since its the last season for some of the stalwarts, they will want to make it a special one.
The Sharks started to grow midway through the 2010 S14 and have not really stopped doing so. The question is, will they be able to maintain momentum, when will they hit their ceiling, and how long can they stay there for.
The Stormers are the 3rd team in the trio. Although they did not win a trophy like the Bulls and Sharks did, playing in 2 finals in 1 year is impressive. Though the same questions could be asked of them that we ask of the Sharks.
2.) The “underdogs” or in this case the “undercats” (that’s really bad, I know).
The Cheetahs will remain ever impressive, especially with the return of Brussouw. The question that remains, I suppose, is how can they efficiently utilize the broader player base of the Grikwas, how many top notch games can that brilliant front row of theirs produce, before needing a break. And lastly, how will they fill the gaps at lock and midfield. If they can mange the front row, lift the game of the locks, and find some kind of depth in the backline, then they could beat any team any day. Especially in locals.
As for the Lions, there is MUCH to be said of their performance this season. And most of it comes AFTER the arrival of Mitchell. They truly have an impressive loose trio, and watch out for those guys next season. not only that, but their 9/10 combo is a great mix of experience and youth (a perfect blend), and there are some names in the backline that we dont mention enough. This past season saw Killian, Le Grange and another Baby Boks stars, Jaco Taute and Wandile Mjekevu (though the latter should add about 15 kg’s). But, one sparrow does not make a spring, and we will have to wait and see what happens there.
3.) The format. Local derbies and the top team of each conference PLUS the 3 teams with the NEXT HIGHEST AMOUNT OF LOG POINTS goes through. Technically that means that if the Lions and Cheetahs gets caned by the local teams this year (doubt it though) the Bulls, Sharks and Stormers could make it through. But then again, Aus has the Rebels and the Force… NZ has… ummm, the Highlanders. We will have to wait and see.
@ Greenpoint-Gunner:Agree with you Greenpoint, think the Lions next year are going to surprise many teams. They played some great rugby in the CC and see them getting even better in the S15. Pleased to say that is good for SA rugby.
Hope my Sharks do better next year in the S15. We need to start better next year.
S15 gonna be very tough I think, especially with the Derby games we have to play each other twice.
Good luck to ALL the South African teams.
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