Bulls, Sharks just not good enough, the Crusaders and Jaguares favorites to progress, and Rassie’s open-mindedness a breath of fresh air. Shaun Goosen looks at what we learned from the Super Rugby Quarter Finals & the preliminary Springbok squad selection.
Bulls, Sharks just not good enough
While the Bulls’ performance in their narrow 28-35 loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington may have exceeded all expectations, it still wasn’t enough to see them through to the Super Rugby semi-finals. Pote Human’s men played fantastically well after going behind early on only to claw their way back into the contest time and again.
The presence of many senior Springboks certainly aided their cause and it’s a great pity that another mass exodus of players means next season’s team will virtually need to start from scratch. The Sharks on the other hand flattered to deceive yet again as they put on a poor showing in their eventual 13-38 defeat to the Brumbies in Canberra. The result surely marks the end of Robert du Preez’s ill-fated time in charge of the franchise, with CEO Gary Teichmann and his board set to begin searching for a replacement, if they have not already done so.
Crusaders, Jaguares favorites to progress
The Crusaders and Jaguares swept aside the respective challenges of the Highlanders and Chiefs to ensure they host this weekend’s semi-finals. While their upcoming opponents, the Hurricanes and Brumbies, certainly won’t roll over and die, the smart money should be on the hosts to set up a season finale in Christchurch.
The Cantabrians have comfortably seen off the challenge of John Plumtree’s men twice already this year, 38-22 at home and 32-8 in Wellington, while the Argentinians pipped the Brumbies 20-15 at home in April. Naturally anything can happen in finals footy, but it would be a rewarding end to the season if arguably the two best sides in the competition do meet to decide the title.
Rassie’s open-mindedness a breath of fresh air
While Bok coach Rassie Eramus was always expected to include a number of overseas-based players in his preliminary squad ahead of the Rugby Championship and impending World Cup, it has been refreshing to see the likes of Marcell Coetzee, Frans Steyn, Cobus Reinach and Rynardt Elstadt given a chance to prove their worth.
Ulster-based Coetzee last turned out for the Boks in 2015, while Steyn and Reinach have also endured time in the international wilderness. The uncapped Elstadt, who was monumental in helping his Toulouse side claim the Top 14 title this season, has always been a quality player and his selection once again underlines Erasmus’ unorthodox, albeit receptive style. Long may it continue.
