Cheetahs, Pumas prove they belong at the top

South Africa’s premier domestic rugby competition, the Currie Cup, reached its climax on Saturday when the Cheetahs beat the Pumas 25-17 in the final in Bloemfontein.

Currie Cup final

While the match was a tight affair, with the outcome only decided late on, it was far from thrilling. There was not a current Springbok player in sight, though Ruan Pienaar of the Cheetahs, at 39, looked like he could still pull on the famous green and gold jersey.

ALSO READ: Currie Cup final result: Cheetahs 25 Pumas 17

In an emergency in this World Cup year … who knows, perhaps there will be a recall for the Cheetahs’ big star?

The stadium in Bloemfontein was only three-quarter full, leaving one wondering whether there is still a place in SA rugby for the Currie Cup – especially now that the so-called “big four” play in the United Rugby Championship and other Europe-based competitions.

The Cheetahs, though, deserve a lot more from SA Rugby than what they are currently getting and so, too, the Pumas, who have made a big step up in domestic rugby in recent years.

Another final took place on Saturday, in New Zealand, when the Crusaders won a seventh Super Rugby title under coach Scott Robertson.

They beat the Chiefs 25-20 in what will be a warning to the Springboks … New Zealand rugby is as healthy as ever.

NOW READ: Currie Cup final: Five key moments that decided the title