Bitter rivals clash in rugby final

NELSON DIRENG
Correspondent | Friday September 23, 2011 00:00

 

Cheetahs have declared that they are going to walk away with the cup, which is making a return after years of absence. Cheetahs' manager, Marula Ncube, said he is sure they will win because Hogs are no longer the tough team they used to be years ago. He said the team's quality of play has dropped tremendously, especially this year when they lost the league title to UB Black Rhinos.

Ncube, however, said they would not only rely on Hogs rickety play to win. He said they have prepared adequately for the tie. Ncube said the Cheetahs that would turn out for tomorrow's encounter is a different side from the one that narrowly beat Rhinos. 'We have revamped our backline which fumbled in our previous game,' he said. Ncube said they have instilled confidence in their fly-half, Jacob 

Pilane, who failed to supply his team with crucial balls. Pilane, who nearly cost his team the game, was only able to gel towards the end. 'We have also encouraged our forwards to maintain aggression because the moment they drop their guard, Hogs would find an opening,' he said. Ncube expressed concern with match officiating. He said that most local referees need grooming because they have poor judgement. He said because of this some teams have lost games unfairly. Ncube however discouraged the use of foreign referees, as is the case whenever Hogs play. 'This is a waste of funds and it does not help develop our own referees,' he said.

Hogs' coach, Charl Van Zyl, said they expect a tough game against Cheetahs. He, however, said that they would not make any major changes to their usual game plan. 'We are going to do what we have done all season because it has worked well for us,' he said. Van Zyl, however, said they would use every opportunity they get to win the game. He expressed confidence in his team's new kicker, scrum half Bernie de Beer, who has since taken over from the injured Eddie Oosthuizen.

The game is expected to kick off at 4pm whilst the losers' final, that pits Black Rhinos against Thebephatswha Desert Whales kicks off at 3pm. Both games are at the Wharic Park grounds.

Other games scheduled for the day include the national women's national team A versus the B side and another for the men's Under-19 team. The Under-19 will be preparing for a tournament in Middlesburg, South Africa,  whilst the women's national team hosts the Confederation of African Rugby (CAR) Eight Nations tournament next month.