In peace there’s nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility;
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger:
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood. — William Shakespeare, King Henry V
South Africa’s two greatest rugby rivals square up at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, and what a humdinger it promises to be. A dozen Springboks will be chomping at the bit to get stuck into opponents who, a couple of short weeks ago, shared the green-and-gold jersey.
Don’t be fooled. While the rip tide of provincialism is not the destructive force it was when the Springboks took their first steps into Test rugby after readmission, the current still runs very deep when the Bulls and Province lock horns.
Last week, Province absolutely smote the Sharks with a ferocious forward display that left most fans — especially those from Durban — completely ga-ga. The final score of 47-19 was an accurate reflection of just how dominant the Streeptruie were, and if they are able to get the same fire burning on Saturday, well, then we’re in for a rip-snorter.
The Bulls, though, are certain to make it clear from the outset that monster forward play was made famous at Loftus and should waste little time in driving this point home. And what a pack it is that will do the driving: Danie Rossouw, Victor Matfield, Gary Botha, Jacques Cronje and Pedrie Wannenburg would walk into most international sides with very little hassle.
Facing this bunch of toughs is a group of players who, while they have perhaps a little more, erm, style and class, share more than a healthy dollop of aggression and mongrel. Joe van Niekerk, Schalk Burger, Gerrie Britz, Federico Mendez and Hendrik Gerber all guarantee that the first couple of minutes are certain to be settled in fairly hairy fashion. Just the way we like it.
As always, the pack that manages to secure possession through solid first-phase play and quick breakdown work will prevail, but with the balance as even as it will be on Saturday, the halfbacks and flyhalves should decide the outcome.
Derick Hougaard, the Bulls’ pivot and former Bolander, has never lost against Province. In fact, the man’s record against his former schoolboy union is well-nigh flawless and includes hauls of 30, 27 and 10 points between 2002 and 2004. There is, obviously, very little to fault in his selection for Saturday’s match. Service from the base will come from Fourie du Preez, one of the top scrumhalves in world rugby. Physical and with excellent kicking skills, but with a propensity for going off the boil at times, Du Preez should have the edge over Province’s Neil de Kock.
De Kock has been around for a long time and is reliable and workmanlike, but lacks the sparkle of the very best — a harsh statement, perhaps, but one that can be easily disproved on Saturday. At flyhalf, Province have fielded 21-year-old Peter Grant, who will make his first Currie Cup appearance at Loftus. The experience will be a memorable one.
Should Grant manage to find his feet early on and not be intimidated or broken or lose the plot, he’ll have a number of exciting players ready to run off him.
Jean de Villiers, De Wet Barry, Werner Greeff and the sensational Zhahier Ryland are all players of genuine class — the centre pairing of Barry and De Villiers is especially potent.
The Bulls will miss the services of the late Ettienne Botha, but his replacement, Wynand Olivier, is certainly not to be sneezed at. JP Nel will partner Olivier in midfield. Then there are the likes of Bryan Habana, Akona Ndungane and brilliant fullback Johan Roets to round off what the centres create.
Predictions?
The advantage Loftus holds for the home side is unquestionable.
The Bulls have a set of forwards that could probably shift the Earth off its axis if they are called to do so and, in their halfback and flyhalf, hold another pair of aces. Their backs are none too shabby and players such as Habana, Nel and Roets certainly bring to the park much to be excited about.
Province are playing away from home in front of a crowd that does not hold much love for a hooped jersey, and their halfback pairing is not in the same league as that of the Bulls.
They do, however, have a playmaker nonpareil in Jean de Villiers, an awesome talent in Schalk Burger — who will be playing at number eight — and the fearsome Mendez in the hooking berth. Then there’s an extra loose-forward in Barry at inside centre, with Joe van Niekerk at flank, while we all saw how blisteringly fast Ryland is.
It is a very tough call, but my money’s on the Bulls for three reasons: they’re playing at home, have a more experienced halfback pairing and should be able to soak up punishment in the forwards better.
Whatever the outcome, though, be under no illusion: the sinews will be stiffened and blood, most certainly, will be boiling.