Hogs, Rhinos clash in BRU League Cup final

NELSON DIRENG
Correspondent | Friday August 6, 2010 00:00

Kick-off is 4pm. Rhinos have reached the final for the first time while Hogs have won the league title on several occasions. Hogs won the title for two successive seasons before Selebi-Phikwe based EMG Gunners dethroned them last year to become the first side from the north to taste success in the competition.

Tomorrow, focus will be on two players, Hogs fullback, Eddie Oosthuizen (15) and Rhinos fly-half, Tshoganetso 'Shakes' Katse (10). Both have a similar style of kicking on target balls and give their teams' advantage on penalties, conversions and drop kicks. In the semi-final against BDF Cheetahs, Oosthuizen scored a spectacular penalty from the centre to lead his side to 27-17 win.

However, Katse is unfazed by Oosthuizen's deadly foot although he acknowledges that his opponent is a good kicker. 'I have more speed and I have multiple talents on the field unlike him,' he boasted. He stated that unlike Oosthuizen, he can get maximum points for his team through tries.

He said that the difference between Rhinos and Hogs is that the former champions rely heavily on Oosthuizen. 'Our backline is very deadly and cannot be blocked by Hogs,' he said.

Katse said after losing to Hogs in the group stage match, Rhinos have to guard against mistakes that can lead to penalties. 'We always score more tries than Hogs because our backline players have got more speed, skill and physique,' he emphasised.

Oosthuizen said he does not consider Hogs a one-man team. He said they play as a unit and their strength cannot be solely identified in the front or backline. 'We can play together and we have got more experienced players,' he explained.

Oosthuizen said he expects a high tempo game. He believes it will be a penalty driven game because of his and Katse's expected contributions. He however said that he does not believe Katse has more skill than him.

'I taught Katse how to kick and I am the one who told him that to become the best, you have to practice everyday,' he said. He added that Katse is a young player who still has a lot to learn. 'He is good but he is not yet the best,' he said.

Ooathuizen stated that winning is about experience which is a quality he possesses. He said that he does not score as much tries as Katse but he blocks more tries than his rival. 'It is all about knowing how to read the game and playing smart, which is an experience I have gained from participating in numerous finals,' he asserted.

'Most of my teammates have also played in the finals giving us more experience than Rhinos' players. We know how to handle pressure.'  Katse and Oosthuizen are close friends and both are national team players. In the national team, Katse plays as a full back while Oosthuizen plays centre.

Meanwhile, Gunners will face Cheetahs in the race for third place, while BDF Sharks take on Tuskers in the shield final in Francistown.

Probable line-upsUB Rhinos1-Katlego Mohutsiwa, 2-Lesedi Keekae, 3-Karabo Modimakwane, 4-Tafa Ncube, 5-Joe Mosalagae, 6-Emmanuel Sperring, 7-Segopotso Dintwe, 8-Munya Mhonda (Captain), 9-Tlhalosang Kenalemang, 10-Tshoganetso Katse, 11-Biki Mawela, 12-Jerome Alabu, 13-Tefo Keothepile, 14-Tebogo Masinki and 15-Emmanuel Masinki

Coach: Sean Irish

Gaborone Hogs 1-Nash Rambhajun, 2-Thato Ndove, 3-Shatiso Ntibi, 4-Stefan Van Zyl, 5-Ronan McGan, 6-Matt Gibson (Captain), 7-Mo Moesi, 8-Molibi Maphanyane, 9-Bernie de Beer, 10-Hugo Botha, 11-Doug McCarthy, 12-Mark Colley, 13-Sean Bester, 14-Vuyisile Moyo, 15-Eddie OosthuizenCoach: Charl Van Zyl