Blue Bulls v Free State Finals
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:48
Since 1973, when first they met, the Blue Bulls, formerly Northern Transvaal and the Free State Cheetahs, formerly the Orange Free State, have met eight times in Finals. This Saturday will be ninth such meeting
History favours the Blue Bulls who have won six of those Finals and one was drawn. The first Final between the two was in Pretoria. Three of the six have been in Bloemfontein, four in Pretoria.
The first was in Pretoria, Free State's first-ever Currie Cup Final, the second in Bloemfontein, a prelude to Free State's first win when they beat Western Province in 1976. The eighth was also in Bloemfontein, that big draw in 2006, again a prelude to a Free State victory, for they won the final in 2007.
Here are the matches.
Northern Transvaal vs Orange Free State at Loftus Versfeld on 22 September 1973
Northern Transvaal 30
Orange Free State 22
Crowd: 44 000
Half-time score 10-10
This was the start of Free State's rise as a rugby power in South Africa.
Two drop goals by a scrumhalf, but then the scrumhalf was Dirk de Vos, and he regularly did the unexpected. In fact the match was won by De Vos and the forwards in front of him. The pack dominated the line-outs and the scrums and it was really only Jackie Snyman's boot that kept the Free State close. On the other hand poor kicking by Pierre van Zyl and John Knox prevented Northern Transvaal from winning by a greater margin, as they deserved.
The crowd was big for the times, the ground sold out on Tuesday of the week of the Final.
Scorers:
For Northern Transvaal:
Tries: Lourens, De Klerk, Williams, Knox
Con: Van Zyl
Pens: Van Zyl 2
Drop: De Vos 2
For Orange Free State:
Try: Grobler, Naudé
Con: Snyman
Pens: Snyman 4
Teams:
Northern Transvaal: Pierre van Zyl, Floris Aucamp, John Knox, André van Staden, Willem Stapelberg, Vic Booyens, Dirk de Vos, Albie Bates (captain), Magiel Eloff, Thys Lourens, Moaner van Heerden, John Williams, Daan du Plessis, Mof de Klerk, Leon Viljoen.
Orange Free State: Frikkie Naudé, Japie Pienaar, Pikkie du Toit, Jan Schlebusch, Gerrie Germishuys, Jackie Snyman, Willie Strydom, Kleintjie Grobler, Jakes Swart, Piet van Zyl, John Botha, Daan de Wet (captain), Martiens le Roux, André Bestbier, Rampie Stander.
Referee: Piet Robbertse
Orange Free State vs Northern Transvaal at Free State Stadium on 27 September 1975.
Northern Transvaal 12
Orange Free State 6
Crowd: 50 000
It was the first Currie Cup Final in Bloemfontein and Free State were set fair for a share in rugby's Holy Grail, for, on that muddy, soggy field, they had just scored a try to make the score 6-6.
In those days there was no extra time. Draw and you shared.
The conditions were tough. A sudden thunderstorm had burst over the ground in rain and hail.
Keith Thoresson, the Northern Transvaal, kicked a penalty in the first half, making the score 3-0 at half-time. He kicked a penalty in the second half to make it 6-0 as time ran out for the battlers in the sticky mud.
There were just three minutes left when the Free State centre Pikkie du Toit broke through and scored. 6-4. De Wet Ras converted. 6-6, and the whole wet world cried VRYSTAAT.
Half a loaf is better than no bread. A share of the Currie Cup was more than Free State had ever achieved before. But it was not at all satisfying for the Northern Transvaal visitors. After all winning Currie Cup Finals was their greatest cultural achievement.
Northern Transvaal kicked off and the forwards smashed into the maul at the kick-off and - suddenly - Louis Moolman had the ball and gave it to his backs as the Free Staters rushed up in ardent defence. Under pressure, Christo Wagenaar kicked high and diagonally towards his right.
Athletic Pierre Spies, a champion hurdler, raced after the ball. The ball came to ground. It bounced up high as Spies raced at it and Gerrie Germishuys and Kleintjie Grobler covered.
Spies leapt, long right arm fully extended, hand reaching upwards till his fingertips found the ball. It bobbled on his fingertips - Spies's hand dribble they called it.
Agonizingly, he did not lose the ball but managed to draw it down to race with long strides to the corner on his right as desperate Germishuys and Grobler covered, for the try which won the Currie Cup. Bending low Spies grounded the ball with his right hand.
Hearts in Bloemfontein stopped beating.
From touch Thoresson converted, and the referee Justus Moolman, a Port Elizabeth dentist, an Old Boy of Grey Bloem, blew the Final whistle, giving glee to some and casting many into soggy gloom.
Danie Craven, president of the SA Rugby Board, and André Volsteedt, the Free State president, missed the try. They were on their way down from the stand to make the presentation, supposing that it would be to hand over the trophy to two teams for them to share it.
Pierre Spies's try is one of the most famous moments in the 114-year history of the Currie Cup.
Playing ball boy that day was a sports fanatic, 13-year-old Grey pupil, Joubert Strydom, son of Steve, at present the convener of South Africa's cricket selectors. He grabbed the ball that Spies scored the try with. He kept the ball.
Pierre Spies, the try-scorer, died of cancer and Steve Strydom died of cancer a year later. Then Joubert Strydom, son of Steve, handed over the ball to Pierre Spies son of Pierre, for young Pierre played in the Currie Cup Final against Free State in Bloemfontein, as his father had done before him.
Scorers:
For Northern Transvaal:
Try: Spies
Con: Thoresson
Pens: Thoresson 2
For Orange Free State:
Try: Du Toit
Con: Ras
Teams:
Orange Free State: Piet Strydom, Gerrie Germishuys, Pikkie du Toit, Jan Schlebusch, Hermanus Potgieter, De Wet Ras, Barry Wolmarans, Gerrie Sonnekus, Basie Verster, Kleintjie Grobler, Klippies Kritzinger (captain), Ross van Reenen, Martiens le Roux, Wouter Hugo, Wilhelm Potgieter.
Northern Transvaal: Olaf de Meyer, Keith Thoresson, Christo Wagenaar, Hennie du Rand, Pierre Spies, Len Gerber, Tommy du Plessis, Wynand Claassen, Louis Muller, Thys Lourens (captain), Louis Moolman, John Williams, Daan du Plessis, Willie Kahts, Nic Bezuidenhout.
Referee: Justus Moolman
Northern Transvaal vs Orange Free State at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, on 24 September 1977
Northern Transvaal 27
Orange Free State 12
Half-time: Northern Transvaal 9-3 Orange Free State
Crowd: 55 000
Playing for Northern Transvaal was a 19-year-old blond flyhalf in his first season of senior rugby - Naas Botha who would go on to be the dominant figure in South African rugby in his time.
Free State were well beaten as they could not match the big, five-Springbok pack. It was a great year for Northern Transvaal with the opening of their new stadium and this big win. between 1964 and this match, Northern Transvaal lost only once at Loftus Versfeld - against Free State in 1976.
The sheer strength of the Northern Transvaal pack snuffed life out of the Free State.
Scorers:
For Northern Transvaal:
Tries: Wagenaar, Spies, Daan du Plessis
Cons: Botha 3
Pens: Botha 2
Drop:
Botha
For Orange Free State:
Pens: Ras, Pienaar 2
Drop: Pienaar
Teams:
Northern Transvaal: Pierre Edwards, John Knox, Christo Wagenaar, Hein Piater, Pierre Spies, Naas Botha, Tommy du Plessis, Wynand Claassen, Burger Geldenhuys, Thys Lourens (captain), Louis Moolman, Moaner van Heerden, Daan du Plessis, Willie Kahts, Nic Bezuidenhout.
Orange Free State: Gysie Pienaar, Gerrie Germishuys, Edrich Krantz, Jan Schlebusch, Hermanus Potgieter, De Wet Ras, Barry Wolmarans, Gerrie Sonnekus, Theuns Stofberg, Eben Jansen, Klippies Hennie Bekker, Ross van Reenen, Martiens le Roux, Wouter Hugo (captain), Henning van Aswegen
Referee: Jimmy Smith-Belton
Orange Free State vs Northern Transvaal at Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein on 30 September 1978
Northern Transvaal 13
Orange Free State 9
Half-time: Orange Free State 6-7 Northern Transvaal
Crowd: 52 000
Free State had a magnificent season - till the Currie Cup Final.
Free State started running. They bombarded Northern Transvaal with everything and led 6-0 but then the Blue pack with Tommy du Plessis at scrumhalf behind them to direct play took over and squeezed the life out of the home side. Still it was only half way through the second half that Naas Botha scored and converted to give his side the lead. It was the winning score.
There were 11 players from Tukkies in the Northern Transvaal side.
Scorers:
For Northern Transvaal:
Tries: Christo Wagenaar, Naas Botha
Con: Naas Botha
Pen: Pierre Edwards
For Orange Free State:
Pens: De Wet Ras 2
Drop: Ras
Teams:
Orange Free State: Gysie Pienaar, Hermanus Potgieter, Joggie Jansen, Dirk Froneman (Jan Schlebusch), Edrich Krantz, De Wet Ras, Barry Wolmarans, Gerrie Sonnekus (Herman van Heerden), Japie Wessels, Theuns Stofberg, Hennie Bekker, Ross van Reenen, Martiens le Roux, Wouter Hugo (captain), Rampie Stander.
Northern Transvaal: Pierre Edwards, Darius Botha, Christo Wagenaar, Tjokkie van der Merwe, John Knox, Naas Botha, Tommy du Plessis, Thys Burger, Thys Lourens (captain), Burger Geldenhuys, Louis Moolman, Koot Coetzee, Daan du Plessis, Willie Kahts, Jan Oberholzer.
Referee: Gert Bezuidenhout
Northern Transvaal vs Orange Free State at Loftus Versfeld on 3 October 1981
Northern Transvaal 23
Orange Free State 6
Crowd: 50 000
Half-time score:
There was controversy in the selection of the Northern Transvaal side. They chose their eight fit Springboks returning from the Tour to New Zealand and the USA. The Free State stuck with the players who had brought them through the Currie Cup to the Final. And it was the returning, battle-hardened Springboks who made the difference
Scorers:
For Northern Transvaal:
Tries: Heunis, Strauss, Geldenhuys
Con: Botha
Pen: Heunis 2
Drop: Botha
For Orange Free State:
Pens: Ras 2
Teams:
Northern Transvaal: Pierre Edwards, Darius Botha, Christo Wagenaar, Dirk Hoffman, Johan Heunis, Naas Botha (captain), Tommy du Plessis, Johan Marais (Jannie Breedt), Thys Burger, Burger Geldenhuys, Louis Moolman, André Skinner, Ockie Oosthuizen, JC Strauss, Jan Oberholzer.
Orange Free State: Ernst Viljoen, Christo Fitchet, Gert Jordaan, Johan Coetzee, Jan du Toit, De Wet Ras, Toetie Marais, Gerrie Sonnekus, Willie Bolton, Herman van Heerden, Barry Schoeman, Rudie Visagie, Martiens le Roux (captain), Callie Wegner, Schalk Oosthuizen
Referee: Johan Gouws
Blue Bulls vs Free State Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld 23 October 2004
Blue Bulls 42
Free State Cheetahs 33
Half-time: Blue Bulls 27-16 Cheetahs
Crowd: 50 000
The Blue Bulls were much the best side in the Currie Cup and substantially the better side in the final when the magic feet of Ettienne Botha brought in two sparkling tries in a match of 10 tries.
Scorers:
For Blue Bulls
Tries: Botha 2, Fredericks 2, Welsh, Matfield
Cons: Hougaard 3
Pen: Hougaard
Drop: Hougaard
For Free State Cheetahs
Tries: Pitout 2, Scholtz, Kokoali
Cons: De Waal 2
Pens: De Waal 3
Teams:
Blue Bulls: Johan Roets, Keegan Fredericks (JP Nel), Frikkie Welsh, Ettienne Botha, Gavin Passens, Derick Hougaard, Fourie du Preez, Anton Leonard (captain), Warren Brosnihan, Jacques Cronjé (Pedrie Wannenburg), Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha (Danie Rossouw), Richard Bands (Wessel Roux), Gary Botha (Danie Coetzee), Kees Lensing (Richard Bands).
Free State Cheetahs: Tshepo Kokoali, Eddie Fredericks (Jaco van Schalkwyk), Chris Kruger, Jacques Claassens, Anton Pitout, Willem de Waal, Falie Oelschig, (Michael Claassens) Rassie Erasmus (captain), Juan Smith, Hendro Scholtz, Barend Pieterse, Boela du Plooy, CJ van der Linde (Rayno Gerber), Naka Drotské, Os du Randt (Gürthro Steenkamp).
Referee: André Watson
Free State Cheetahs vs Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria on 22 October 2005
Free State Cheetahs 29
Blue Bulls 25
Half-time: Blue Bulls 12-9 Free State Cheetahs
Same venue, same teams - different result as the Free State Cheetahs threw history and form out of the window and scored a well deserved victory at Loftus Versfeld. The victory came six minutes from time when Noel Oelschig kicked high, the Blue Bulls messed up and tall Meyer Bosman grabbed the ball and had a simple run to the line.
The Blue Bulls had led 25-15 with nine minutes to go. Then Bryan Habana went to the sin bin and the Cheetahs scored two sudden tries.
After 29 years in waiting the Cheetahs had won their second Currie Cup.
Scorers:
For Blue Bulls
Try: Ndungane
Con: Steyn
Pens: Steyn 4, Hougaard
Drop: Roets
For Free State Cheetahs
Tries: Fortuin, Bosman
Cons: De Waal 2
Pens: De Waal 5
Teams:
Blue Bulls: Johan Roets, Akona Ndungane, JP Nel, Wynand Olivier (Riaan van den Bergh), Bryan Habana, Morné Steyn (Derick Hougaard), Fourie du Preez, Anton Leonard (captain) (Johan Wasserman), Pedrie Wannenburg, Jacques Cronjé, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha (Danie Rossouw), Andries Human, Gary Botha (Danie Coetzee), Kees Lensing (Wessel Roux).
Free State Cheetahs: Bevin Fortuin, Eddie Fredericks, Chris Kruger (Meyer Bosman), Barry Goodes, Philip Burger (Alwyn Hollenbach) Willem de Waal, Michael Claassens (Falie Oelschig) ,Ryno van der Merwe, Juan Smith, Hendro Scholtz (Kabamba Floors), Barend Pieterse, Corniel van Zyl, Jannie du Plessis (CJ van der Linde), Naka Drotské (captain), Wian du Preez (Os du Randt), Ollie le Roux).
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan
Free State Cheetahs vs Blue Bulls at Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein, on 7 October 2006
Free State Cheetahs 28
Blue Bulls 28
What happened in the 2006 Final will not happen in 2007 - a draw.
It was an exciting Final as the lead changed four times. With 20 minutes to go Free State led 25-18. With three minutes to go, Free State led 25-18 but the Blue Bulls were aggressively camped on their line. Suddenly, brawny centre JP Nel burst over and scored far out. replacement flyhalf Morné Steyn kicked a conversion which was not easy in its own right and made more difficult by the pressure of the moment.
That made the scores level at 25-all at the end of ordinary time and for the first time the Currie Cup Final went into extra time.
Early in extra time, Steyn kicked a penalty goal. Then Meyer Bosman hit the crossbar with a penalty attempt, but the ball bounced back. With just six minutes of extra time left he goaled the penalty that tied the match.
There was no kick-off. The Currie Cup was shared.
As would be the case in 2007, the teams did not have all their top players available. Then it was because the coming World Cup; in 2007 it was because of the World Cup that had just been. At that rate half the Currie Cup Finals over a four-year period, will be without their top players.
Vodacom Park is Free State Stadium by another name.
Scorers:
For Free State Cheetahs:
Tries: Floors, Burger
Pens: De Waal 5, Bosman
For Blue Bulls:
Tries: Nel 2, Delport
Cons: Steyn 2
Pens: Hougaard, Steyn 2
Teams:
Free State Cheetahs: Bevin Fortuin, Phillip Burger, JW Jonker, Hendrik Meyer, Gavin Passens (Gaffie du Toit), Willem de Waal (Meyer Bosman), Michael Claassens (Falie Oelschig), Ryno van der Merwe, Darren Nel (Bian Vermaak), Kabamba Floors (Heinrich Brüssow), Barend Pieterse, Rory Duncan, Jannie du Plessis, Wian du Preez), Ollie le Roux (Jannie du Plessis)
Blue Bulls: Johan Roets. Akona Ndungane, Dries Scholtz (Stefan Basson), Marius Delport, Derick Hougaard (Morné Steyn), Heini Adams, (Neil Powell), Pierre Spies, Derick Kuün (Andries Strauss), Pedrie Wannenburg (Hilton Lobberts), François van Schouwenburg (Hottie Louw), Danie Rossouw (Van Schouwenburg), Ryno Gerber, Gary Botha (captain), Jaco Engels (Danie Thiart)
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan
The teams for the 2009 Final
Blue Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 François Hougaard, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (captain), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Derick Kuün, 1 Gürthro Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Rossouw de Klerk, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Pedrie Wannenburg, 20 Heini Adams, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Gerhard van den Heever.
Free State Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Corné Uys, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Danwel Demas, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 JP Joubert, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Frans Viljoen, 6 Heinrich
Brüssow, 5 David de Villiers, 4 Nico Breedt, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Izak van der Westhuizen, 19 Kabamba Floors, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Louis Strydom, 22 Fabian Juries.
By Paul Dobson
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