An all-South African Vodacom URC final may excite supporters, but it would create a major headache for Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane says a Cape Town decider between the Stormers and Bulls would be the perfect showcase for South African rugby, yet it would come at the worst possible time for a national coach already dealing with a growing injury list ahead of the Test season.
“There are few tougher club showdowns than when the Bulls play the Stormers.”
The rivalry’s intensity means players never hold back, regardless of the physical cost. With the Barbarians match and the start of the Test season around the corner, Erasmus would prefer not to see 20-plus Springboks collide in a club final.
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Keohane believes the Bulls are well placed to upset defending champions Glasgow. The teams were separated by a single point late in their Investec Champions Cup playoff clash in Scotland, while the shift from Scotstoun’s artificial surface to Murrayfield’s grass field could favour the visitors.
“For me, a stronger case can be made for the Bulls,” he writes. “There is enough quality in the match 23 and consistency in performance for there to be conviction in any belief of a winning outcome.”
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The Stormers face a far steeper challenge against Leinster. While they thrashed Cardiff in the quarter-finals, Keohane remains unconvinced by a side that has swung between brilliance and mediocrity throughout the season.
“I am not convinced the conviction is as strong within the Stormers group, given their inconsistency this season, the unavailability of some big-name players and their defensive vulnerability against the best attacking teams,” he writes.
Keohane expects the Bulls to advance and the Stormers to fall short, setting up a repeat of last season’s final against Leinster. For Erasmus, that outcome may be preferable too.
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
The post Dream SA final would be Rassie’s nightmare appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
An all-South African Vodacom URC final may excite supporters, but it would create a major headache for Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, writes MARK KEOHANE.
The post Dream SA final would be Rassie’s nightmare appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
