'Cautious' Vishuis have the edge
After four impressive wins this year, Steinhoff Vishuis will be cautious not to stumble at the final hurdle when they come up against Steinhoff Dagbreek (Stellenbosch) in Monday's Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships Final.
Vishuis, from Shimlas, qualified for the final thanks to a comprehensive 47-3 drubbing of Villagers (Pukke) in the semifinals at Shimla Park this past Monday.
And captain Jos de Klerk (pictured in front; with black suit) believes their win in the opening round over the selfsame Steinhoff Dagbreek in Stellenbosch (at the end of February) will serve them well when they meet again in a curtain-raiser to the 2010 Varsity Cup Final on Monday, March 29. (Kick-off 4.15pm.)
Vishuis won that opening match 24-7, scoring four tries in difficult and windy conditions, and De Klerk told varsitycup.co.za: "Ja, that victory could count in our favour, psychologically, when we do battle again.
"We will know what to expect from them and will be familiar with the conditions there. But a final is always a close encounter," he warned.
According to De Klerk, the vibe in the Vishuis Residence - as well as within the team - is very, very positive.
"The guys have become good friends and the support we've received from the hostel is great. They are trying to get a bus organised to take our supporters to Stellenbosch, which is just fantastic."
The Vishuis skipper - and flanker - was understandably pleased with his side's performance on Monday; describing it as their best outing of the year. They were very clinical in their execution and made very few mistakes, according to De Klerk.
Their attacking play, throughout the year, has been a huge factor in their success thus far, whilst their defence - which has seen them leak just 18 points, including two tries - has been remarkable.
"Ja, I was pretty satisfied with our performance in the semifinal. We controlled the ball well in setting up the phases and our handling was pretty good," said the Vishuis skipper.
"It was especially enjoyable to get one over a Pukke Res. It is also great that we have had so few injuries thus far. At this stage everyone came through the Villagers game unscathed."
De Klerk targeted their breakdown play as a potential area of improvement, whilst he would also like to see his boytjies concede fewer penalties in their own half.
Although Vishuis might get a player or two back from Shimlas' first team - a side that went down in the Varsity Cup semifinals to UCT on Mondau - De Klerk said they would not accept any as he believes the players that have seen them to the final are good enough to guide them to overall silverware on Monday.
By Ruan Bruwer