PAYBACK time! The Stormers are top of the log, yet last we met we should have beaten them. It was our phase of stuttering flatulence; when we came back from a series of games we should have won, but with only a bonus point for coming close. Now we are a purring machine, playing with a confidence and zest to match our skills and brawn. This is the moment of truth.
Let's look again at last week's match. It's difficult to find superlatives sufficient to describe it. This was a game of rugby that was close to flawless on either side. Free State were magnificent, yet we edged them where it counted. We played out of our socks. This was the real deal, the kind of performance we've been building to. It's a good time to start peaking.
The game as a whole must rate as the most spectacular – and top quality – encounter of the Super 15 season anywhere. The players – both sides – running onto the ball at pace; wonderful handling; hard, ferocious tackling on both sides; a spirit of adventure throughout, the lead changing. This was classic stuff.
I understand that these days the rugby tradition of getting together with the opposition after the game for a few beers has declined somewhat at the professional level. I hope Bloemfontein was an exception. Both sides put so much into it and both played so well that it needed to be rounded off. They served the cause of rugby.
And it's not just the Sharks and the Free State Cheetahs whose reputation is enhanced. The Ukrainian lovelies of the Thunder Bar are fast emerging as rugby analysts to be taken seriously. The betting slips stowed in Katinka's suspender belt provide an uncanny prediction of the run of play.
And what of tomorrow? "Ooh-la-la!" she says, snapping at her suspenders. "Freddie Michalak! Tres sexie! Unt Patrick Lambie! Ze sveetheart! Ve don't know vich ve vant to pounce on. Yoost like vestern province, zey von't know vich to tackle. Ploemtree, smart guy! Sharks vill do it, zey like zer machine. Beesmarck, Yonnie unt Bee-e-a-a-ast upfront. Backline zey runnink onto ball, tacklink like zer crazy guys. Unt Patrick joining ze line. Sharks got ze confidence, anytink can happen. Zey best team in competition now. Zey gonna vin, zey gonna moider da bums!" Snap! Snap!
Well, there you have it. And, oddly enough, it coincides with my own analysis. (And no, I don't have privileged access to Katinka's suspender belt). The Stormers have a monster pack but they don't have our front row. We've got the beef to contain them. We've also developed that intangible factor of making our own luck. The guys are relaxed but alert to opportunity. The stuttering and flatulence are gone, the handling is there, the go-forward instinct, the running onto the ball. Watch JP Pietersen! The man is hungry. Watch Charl McLeod, I've a feeling this could be his day!
Payback Time! Remember the Alamo! See you in the Duikers'!
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