SA’s so-called ‘big four’ flop again in the Currie Cup

The 2023 Currie Cup closing will, for the second 12 months in a row, be contested between two groups who don’t play in the United Rugby Championship. The Cheetahs, booted out of a number of worldwide competitions they’ve competed in to make means for the so-called massive 4, will host the Pumas, the defending champions from 2022 and a facet who’ve been promised higher worldwide competitors, however been given nothing, in Saturday’s closing. Jimmy Stonehouse’s Pumas gained their first Currie Cup title after beating Griquas in Kimberley final 12 months. So, for the second 12 months operating, the Currie Cup closing will…

The 2023 Currie Cup closing will, for the second 12 months in a row, be contested between two groups who don’t play in the United Rugby Championship.

The Cheetahs, booted out of a number of worldwide competitions they’ve competed in to make means for the so-called massive 4, will host the Pumas, the defending champions from 2022 and a facet who’ve been promised higher worldwide competitors, however been given nothing, in Saturday’s closing.

Jimmy Stonehouse’s Pumas gained their first Currie Cup title after beating Griquas in Kimberley final 12 months.

So, for the second 12 months operating, the Currie Cup closing might be performed for between groups who actually have just one competitors to consider. The Cheetahs did characteristic in the Challenge Cup this 12 months, however they performed in solely a handful of video games, and it’s hardly a contest to maintain the gamers and coaches busy week-in and week-out.

Big 4

So, whereas it’s definitely simpler for groups comparable to the Cheetahs, Pumas and Griquas to be aggressive in the Currie Cup as a result of that’s their sole focus, it’s stunning and regarding that the larger, richer unions comparable to the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Western Province have for 2 years now didn’t make the Currie Cup closing.

These so-called “big four” have larger budgets, larger participant swimming pools, larger teaching constructions … larger the whole lot. And they need to be capable of compete higher in the Currie Cup.

So why haven’t they? Is it as a result of their depth isn’t that nice, or is the Currie Cup now merely an after-thought for these unions?

Or, is it that the teaching groups aren’t robust sufficient? Or is it that in some circumstances the gamers are drained after an extended season of taking part in in a number of completely different competitions?

Bulls

It is troublesome to single out which of the massive unions have been the most disappointing in the Currie Cup.

The Bulls although, with a crew stacked with URC gamers, dropping as badly as they did to the Cheetahs in the semi-finals on Saturday, have hit a brand new low. They may have a lot to consider in the low season.

The Sharks, so promising for therefore lengthy, misplaced when it mattered most in the semi-finals, and that at dwelling, whereas the Lions and Western Province didn’t even make the final 4.

But, effectively accomplished to the Cheetahs and Pumas for making the closing. It is certain to be an exhilarating contest in Bloemfontein this weekend.