Cheetahs veteran loosehead prop Os du Randt is on the threshold of joining an elite group of South African rugby players, although he was not even aware of the fact on Tuesday.
If the Cheetahs can defy the odds for the second week in a row and beat the Blue Bulls on Saturday, Du Randt will add a Currie Cup winners’ medal to those he has already earned for the World Cup win in 1995 and the Tri-Nations triumph earlier this year.
Only three men have already achieved this rare triple honour — Mark Andrews, Chester Williams and Joost van der Westhuizen — and few will begrudge Du Randt becoming part of this legendary group.
For the big man himself, this achievement is not an overriding ambition ahead of the final.
”Not really, but that said, one of my big aims since I first started playing rugby was to win the Currie Cup with Free State, so if by doing that I can join those guys then great. It’s nice to know it’s out there.”
Du Randt feels, however, that it will require a massive personal effort as he will be a targeted man during the final.
”There is going to be plenty of pressure on me,” he said. ”They are sure to take me on in an effort to secure those important right shoulders.”
The seasoned campaigner feels the Cheetahs forwards will be up against a more determined Bulls pack.
”They will be motivated to prove us wrong, especially after that pushover try in Bloemfontein. No doubt about it, we will have to fight fire with fire for the full 80 minutes.”
Du Randt was part of the Free State teams that failed to annex the coveted trophy after making it to the 1994 and 1997 finals, where they lost to Transvaal (33-56) and Western Province (12-14) respectively.
He is hoping it is a case of third time lucky.
”The guys are confident, especially after the win over Province [in the semifinal] and I believe we are better prepared than ever before.
”We have a few senior guys that we are counting on to pull it through for us.”
Saturday probably represents the last chance for the front-rower as he is contemplating retirement at the end of next season.
”I’ve definitely started to think about it. I’ll be speaking to [Springbok coach] Jake [White] first, but I don’t think I’ll be going much further than the end of next season,” the 32-year-old said.
Meanwhile, Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer was in an upbeat mood on Tuesday after putting his charges through their paces at a training run at Loftus.
”Our preparation is going well and the guys are working hard to rectify the mistakes we made against the Lions,” he said. ”I’m confident we will be ready for the final.”
The final kicks off at 4.30pm on Saturday. — Sapa