Monday, October 19, 2009
The Currie Cup Semi Finals Compilation
In Durban, many expected the Natal Sharks to be favourites at home against a hard working Freestate Cheetahs side. In Cape Town, tickets to the Newlands match between Western Province and the Blue Bulls had sold out in an hour and a half, such is the rivalry between the two sides.
For the Bulls, Springbok sensation Morne Steyn kicked seven penalties, totally 21 points on the day. Province struggled to get into the match, but the hard work up front, most notably from Tiaan Liebenberg, started to pay off as Joe Pietersen kept them in touch with four penalties of his own.
Gio Aplon, who punched above his weight all day, scored a great try as he sprinted between two big guys to dot down late in the match, with a comeback looking on the cards.
Ace marksman Steyn slotted the match winning kick with three minutes left as the Bulls fended off the Province resurgence, this earning themselves a home final. It ended 21-19 to the Bulls.
The Sharks dominated early possession, territory, and points in their match against the Cheetahs in Durban. It was Hugh Bladen in the commentary box that echoed the thoughts of everyone watching after Juan Martin Hernandez dropkicked the Sharks even further in front: "The Cheetahs are in trouble here."
The Sharks scored two great running tries through Stefan Terblanche and Ruan Pienaar, while the Cheetahs found their opportunities first in the form of tighthead WP Nel crashing over.
A wayward pass from the Sharks then bounced favourably for man of the match Jacques-Louis Potgeiter, who sprinted away for a try against the run of play.
It was Potgeiter again, in the final minute, who dropped back into the pocket for the match winning drop goal, completing a successful Cheetahs fight back and booking his team's ticket to Loftus Versfeld in two weeks time. It ended 23-21 to the Freestate Cheetahs.
We've combined highlights from both semi finals into one compilation with the hopes of bringing you a more in depth look at what was some magnificent rugby from all four teams.
Aside from the tries, weve included various other bits, namely some examples of the hard work from the likes of Freestate loosies Ashley Johnson and Heinrich Brussow, and the tactical prowess of Hernandez for the Sharks. Enjoy.
Time: 04:35
Music: Live Forever by Oasis
Posted at 1:17 pm | 37 comments
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Viewing 37 comments
Anonymous October 19, 2009 1:16 pm

mark
Anonymous October 19, 2009 1:37 pm

Some fantastic rugby there, really enjoyed watching that. as hard as it is to say as i'm sick of the South African prats you get on this website.
Anonymous October 19, 2009 1:41 pm

Anonymous October 19, 2009 1:51 pm

excellent video all around...great work
Greiffel October 19, 2009 1:58 pm

I hope everyone is as depressed as I am about the Sharks
Phil October 19, 2009 2:27 pm

Agree about the test-match level intensity - and standard.
Anyone moaning about SA rugby at the moment is just jealous - and I'm from England.
semperfimamba October 19, 2009 2:37 pm

Ruan's pass?? I mean seriously, you dont expect crapy service like that from a BOK.
Ahh well i guess i gotta wait for the Super14/15.
This sucks.
Anonymous October 19, 2009 2:50 pm

rehanb October 19, 2009 3:08 pm

worst refereeing i've seen in a long time
Tommo October 19, 2009 4:12 pm

Anonymous October 19, 2009 4:38 pm

Who is that monster number 8? playing for the team in white and orange.
Dave October 19, 2009 5:02 pm

Use a name and you might get a better response in future.
Tommo isnt too far off though, considering that the Bulls have a whole host of Boks and are a tight unit. During this years Super 14 they were incredible. Stick them in a tight 'test match' situation and they could easily upset an international side I'm sure.
Tommo October 19, 2009 7:27 pm

WelshOsprey October 19, 2009 8:18 pm

Shaft October 19, 2009 9:18 pm

Well said Tommo btw. I think sometimes SA fans can be overzealous, which is interpreted as arrogance unfortunately. But right now, it's well deserved.
Saheed October 19, 2009 9:19 pm

Liam October 20, 2009 1:29 am

Cheyanqu October 20, 2009 2:02 am

That big Fijian dude for Free State? That's Ashley Johnson. Plays #8.
Actually moved into the hooker slot early in the match. Not too good with the lineouts, but was a brave display nonetheless.
For those who miss sarcasm over the internet, I was kidding about him being Fijian.
Bill October 20, 2009 4:13 am

Only Mccaw could lay claim, even Smith is well off Brussow's form.
Samoan biouz October 20, 2009 4:42 am

Jacques October 20, 2009 5:58 am

As for Liams comment... hehe so who do you think is the best in world rugby at the moment? Brussouw has got it down to a fine art form. He is the best as far as Im concerned and thats not because Im biased. I recognised McCaw and Smith as superior ball snatchers before Brussouw came along. Credit where its due.
Anonymous October 20, 2009 6:48 am

Best moments as a Sharks fan were Hernandez's sublime tactical kick into the corner and Terblanche's sidestep
Andy October 20, 2009 8:58 am

As for England I can't even think who we are going to be playing in our back row (Easter?, Croft?), let alone who would come close to rivaling him.
As for SA prats, there are definitely a few but mostly they're alright and just very proud of the fact they're team is better than everyone else at the moment (especially as normally it's NZ between world cups). The Safa's at my club are fantastic blokes...off the pitch....and complete animals on it!!
Cheis October 20, 2009 10:45 am

did anyone see how the cheetah-front row dominated the Shark (= springbok) scrum??!!
Os du Randt is doing a great job!
Anonymous October 20, 2009 11:05 am

Lawnzi October 20, 2009 12:01 pm

Cheis October 20, 2009 3:25 pm

it's amazing what dept Vrystaat has in the front row department..
year after year good props leave (jannie du plessis, cj vd linde most notably 2 years ago), but young props emerge from nowhere..
Anonymous October 23, 2009 11:41 am

SA gets some decent scrummaging props and everyones in trouble come 2011.
What's the deal with De Villiers now he's at Munster, is he out of the bok setup?
Ted October 23, 2009 1:58 pm

Anonymous October 23, 2009 8:18 pm

Anonymous October 23, 2009 8:29 pm

Can anyone tell me what SA schools Rugby is like?















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