Dankie Vader vir die Vrystaat. Die naasgunstelingspan van byna elke rugby ondersteuner in die land, benewens die Cheetahs se eie ondersteuners, het die naweek op die regte noot afgeskop deur vas te byt en naelskraaps met een punt te wen. Hul tweede weg-oorwinning na mekaar kan net goed wees vir hul selfvertroue, en die feit dat hulle as span so goed saam speel, kan vir nog ‘n paar verassings sorg. Diegene wat voorspel dat hulle, en nie die Kings nie, in die promosie/relegasie wedstryd teen die Leeus sal moet speel, moet weer dink.
The Kings keep surprising by not being annihilated, as many pundits predicted before their first match. Against the formidable Chiefs, they managed to stay in the fight in the way a Jack Russel would against a Staffie. The result was inevitable, but it was not a one-sided affair. Going on tour may add to the challenges for this side, but to date, they have surprised with their resilience.
Last weekend, the commentators reckoned that few teams in the competition would have beaten the Cheetahs. This was my view of the Crusaders on Saturday when they totally outplayed the Bulls in all departments. It is not particularly pleasant watching our side stopping wave after wave of skilful attack until, inevitably, the dam wall breaks. Perhaps, if I was an objective observer, I would have enjoyed the game more. The Crusaders, in full flight, is indeed a thing of beauty.
The fact that the Sharks lost to the Brumbies was perhaps not as sad as the way they got drilled. Full credit to Jake White, a man I was guilty of not really rating, based on things not directly related to rugby. He took a team in tatters, and within a year, converted them into potential Super 15 champions. According to the New Zealand Herald, they broke a record held jointly by the Crusaders and the Hurricanes: the Brumbies have now won their seventh away victory in a row.
Gelukkig behoort die Stormers dit die naweek reg te stel!
Protea Pride
One thing I like about AB de Villiers is that he puts his money where his mouth is. Before yesterday’s match, he said that they needed to up their game, and boy, did he and Amla do just that. Despite Boom-Boom nearly undoing their world record partnership, they stuck to their guns and eventually prevailed. Faf de Plessis’s blistering 45 eventually provided the buffer which put the game beyond Pakistan.
Pakistan is really growing as the series progresses. If AB wants to achieve his next stated goal, namely to perform consistently, Pakistan has no intentions of making it easy for them, and one Umar Gul could prove to be a significant obstacle at Kingsmead.
Parting Shot
As I was lying in bed, pondering the world’s obsession with a healthy lifestyle, the following occurred to me:
1. If walking and cycling is good for your health, the postman would be immortal.
2. A whale swims all day, only eats fish, drinks water, and is still fat.
3. A rabbit runs and hops and only lives 15 years.
4. But a tortoise doesn’t run and does nothing, yet it lives for 450 years.
And you want me to exercise? I don’t think so.
Rustige week, ou Grote.
