Bondedag in Northvaal

Bondedag for Northvaal teams due to go to Craven Week took place at the University of Johannesburg on Saturday and the Northern Unions sent a clear message to the rest of the country - that they are a force to be reckoned with. Even though a wise man may not make too much of the performances there was enough to cause excitement.

Last year's "Craven Week Champions" were just beaten 19-17  by this year's Craven Week hosts - the Blue Bulls. Across the Apies River people will say that a win is a win but they must hold thumbs that the victory together with the high expectations which their supporters have does not get to their team.

Jimmy Stonehouse, the Blue Bulls Under-18 coach, believes that things will be better once his injury list shortens.  Because of injuries he had been forced to borrow a lock from the Academy team and to use a hooker at flank.

The Blue Bulls won but there were problems with the defence, especially in the midfield where the defence was sometimes suspect, but the good news was that these were minor irritations which can be smoothes out before Craven Week.

The Bloemfonteiners were sometimes overeager and if their fighting spirit is not boosted enough to give the knock-out punch when the opportunity is there, there will be more crocodile tears to shed.

Apart from the Blue Bulls' outstanding performance, their friends from Limpopo caused a minor upset with their 33-17 victory over Griquas.

The Valke, whose side consist mostly of players from the Nupower Series champions, Dr EG Jansen, played in fits and starts but managed to beat the Griffons 28-26. The Griffons' skills of hand and foot had the Valke flapping about aimlessly but the Scarlets managed to get themselves together well enough to win.

The Pumas who have a competitive side every year enjoyed a 24-19 win over the Leopards and the Golden Lions won relatively easily 31-20 against Natal.

Although the Bondedag produced quality rugby, it will not be till the Craven Week in Pretoria from 6 to 12 July that one will be able to determine which teams will qualify for this year's much desired main match. In my opinion the three great powers - Western Province, Free State and the Blue Bulls - will again set the pace.

But only time will tell.

By Ettienne van Rensburg/Allix Media