LAST Saturday I wasn't sure if I'd been taking psychedelic drugs or if the players had. When did we ever have a Test match that produced such a crop of tries, especially in the first half? Was it wonderful? Some seemed to think so, I thought not. This was more like Barbarians rugby than an international. You expect a Test to be tough and tight. This was anything but, though granted there was an excitement in the second half as we crept ahead then stayed there. And it's nice to win. We'd begun to forget what it's like.
But compare this with what we'd watched the previous night in the Currie Cup match against Griquas. This was the real thing. Hard, competent rugby from both sides, first-time tackling, ball-in-hand play. And our threequarters are improving every time they trot out. They're taking the ball flat-out these days, the passes are sticking, even the impossible ones, and the forwards are setting it up by driving forward as never before. Magnificent stuff! It's a state of mind. Patrick Lambie has much to do with it at flyhalf, the ball picks up a certain rhythm as it reaches his hands. And never forget Charl McLeod who starts the rhythm. This is grace and elegance, it's better than watching a ballet.
And let's give all credit to Griquas. This is a great side. Yes, we were playing adventurous rugby – perhaps a little over-adventurous at times – and this always gives the opposition chances. They pounced on our mistakes. Five minutes from the end it was still anyone's game .
And how was that Basson fellow with his four tries? That's got to be the fastest winger in the country, quicker than if the IDB squad were after him. We christened him Zorba – Zorba the Griqua – and in his honour we danced and smashed a few plates in the Duikers' afterwards.
What a great evening. It started out with a snort or two at Royal Durban, just to vary the routine, where a financial organisation known as BOE were hosting a golf match. I'd no idea until then that the Bank of England have a branch in Durban, but it seems they do. I got into conversation with a most attractive Asian lady who kept offering me an overdraft, when all I wanted was a decent curry. Next time we'll take her on to rugby.
King's Park is beginning to resemble the glory days of yore. With rugby of this quality there's a buzz about the place. The Duikers' Club reminds me of the way it was in the 1990 season when the blokes sang Marching to Pretoria – and did we march!
Loftus again tomorrow. I've a feeling this is a foretaste of the Currie Cup final. Let's hope the Boks in Bloemfontein put us in the right mood. We need the win – the Boks I mean - and I'm sure we'll get it. But what kind of win?
Here we go for a double! The Florida Road feu de joie! The ladies' knicker elastic to shoot out the streetlights. Crème de menthe all round. Frappe!
No comments:
Post a Comment