And for a side who had played well enough to top the overall log and earned themselves the luxury of a home semifinal at Newlands.

But let’s for a moment look beyond to the inescapable fact that the Stormers have been unable to clear the final hurdle since the competition first took shape as the Super 6 back in 1992, and certainly have an unenviable losing record over the past three seasons.

In 2010 they beat the Waratahs at Newlands before losing to the Bulls in the historic final at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto.

The following season they went down in a another home semi against the Crusaders, and then let  the Sharks through to the final this time round.

On paper, it’s a disappointing history at best, but consider the bigger picture.

It is easy to label the Stormers chokers – and opposition players, coaches and fans are almost certain to use that to unsettle the Cape side in future seasons – especially after losing at Newlands, a ground which consistently draws the biggest average crowd in Super Rugby.

They have a lot to offer local rugby in general and, perhaps more importantly, Springbok rugby in particular.

Think for a moment how a side which loses a string of players like Schalk Burger and Duane Vermeulen, then see back-up loose forwards Nick Koster and Nizaam Carr also join the injury list, forcing coach Allister Coetzee playing hooker Deon Fourie at No 8, makes you wonder how they managed to operate at all.

Add locks Andries Bekker and Eben Etzebeth, prop Steven Kitshoff involved with the Under-21s, the enforced switches at centre, and fullback Joe Pietersen being unavailable for crucial matches against the Bulls and Sharks to this list, and what the Stormers achieved is little short of phenomenal.

They are certainly better off than the Bulls were just 10 years ago, when they didn’t win a match in 2002 and only managed to end up on the winning side 10 times in  the five seasons before that.

That Bulls side were fine for Currie Cup, but just couldn’t get across the line in Super Rugby.

They were almost impossible to beat at home, but were recognised as among the worst tourists and away from Loftus were perhaps unfairly referred to as walking bonus points.

Right now, the Stormers are in a much better space.

But from those dark days, Heyneke Meyer persevered and laid the foundations for a Bulls side who won  back-to-back southern hemisphere championships in 2009 and 2010.

It has been a tame ending to a great season by the Stormers, but the upside is that they have been able to blood a number of players who could well be an important part of South African rugby in the not so distant future.

Doc Craven had a theory, which I tend to agree with, that when the rugby at Loftus and Newlands is strong, Springbok rugby is strong.

This is not to underplay  the season the Sharks have had in fighting their way into the final with two away victories to secure their place.

And a fair number of Sharks  players will be very much under consideration for the new four-nation Rugby Championship.

Broadly speaking, the critics out there might have a point, but in real terms, South African rugby is in a very healthy state.

And Doc Craven must be smiling down on South African rugby from above.



n Jake White coaches the Brumbies and is South Africa’s World Cup-winning coach of 2007. Check out Jake’s website www.rugbyxv.co.za, where readers can get the latest insights and trends in rugby.