IS THERE any limit to the rugby perspicacity of the Ukrainian lovelies of the Thunder Bar? Two weeks running, Katinka and her suspender belt have accurately predicted the course of events at King's Park – Patrick Lambie's full house, then the spectacular roll of last Saturday.
Word gets about. All kinds of people are now descending on the Thunder Bar and asking questions about rugby. Some have Aussie and Kiwi accents. Katinka says she was pestered at length by a fellow with a ragged moustache and smoking a corncob pipe. He was wearing a powder-blue safari suit with short pants and had a comb in his sock.
"Zey sink I'm fool? I grow up in Kiev, I can spot KGB from mile avay. No, ziss not KGB, ziss Free Stater vanting zer teeps for Saturday. Zey sink I'm fool? Ha, ha, ha! I tellink him all kinds horse manure, he go avay smilink. But he smile udder side face vhen final vhistle."
"Do you mean we'll pull it off again?"
"No kveschun! Ziss vill be a tough vun but vun ve vill vin. Beesmark, Yonnie und Be-e-e-a-a-ast! – zey iss zer key. Also votch Patrick, zer luffly boy, und Leewazi ze speed machine." Snap! Snap! She strummed the suspender belt. "Ve got lotsa moolah on it!"
Well, there you have it. Katinka's suspender belt, the Oracle of the Thunder Bar. And, uncannily, her assessment coincides with mine. Here's a side of huge potential who have begun to fire on all cylinders. The Star Trekkers last week (The Force be with you!) were a more than competent outfit and had a lot of possession. We were just beginning to get on top when those two opportunist Mvovo tries – 75-yard scorchers each – absolutely buried them.
Tomorrow will be a humdinger but we've got what it takes – and more. Here's a side that's beginning to make its own luck.
And what a feast of rugby! After the Free State Cheetahs game we have the Heineken Cup final at Twickenham – Ulster versus Leinster and sure to be another humdinger.
It's an all-Ireland final featuring those doughty Ulstermen Johann O'Muller (captain), Ruan O'Pienaar, Pedrie McWannenburg, Stefan Sean Seamus Terblanche and Robbie McDiack, all but one of whom are well known to we King's Park faithful. We will watch with close attention.
Meanwhile, I'm delighted to learn that Frans de Beer, Chairman of Duikers Rugby Club, is to be honoured for his contribution to rugby in this province.
Frans played for many years for Glenwood Old Boys. Then he coached them. Then he became a Natal selector and coach. He also, at various times, coached Maritzburg Collegians, Maritzburg Varsity, Cedara - and, of course, Duikers. This is a lot of time and effort – and love.
They're putting on a lunch for him at Riverside Sports Club, Durban North, on June 8. All rugby men (and gals) are welcome.
I contacted the organisers and offered to arrange for Katinka to jump out of the cake. This will be another humdinger!
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