Bench boys crucial in Cup Final...

RYAN VREDE writes that the substitutes will be decisive to the outcome to Saturday’s final and the Sharks have a slight edge in that department.


Coaches are renowned for peddling the rhetoric that the smallest differences are often the most telling in finals. And with the Sharks and Western Province so closely matched across most facets of play, the board riders will have a crucial role to play in determining the outcome. The Sharks’ superior quality in this regard could be an ace up their sleeve.


The Sharks’ replacements offered their side a fresh injection of physicality and intensity, particularly on defence, when it was so desperately required against the Bulls a fortnight ago. That ensured a sustained effort through 80 minutes, which was essential in repelling a team that has built a reputation for late rallies.


In Craig Burden, they have arguably the most improved hooker in South Africa. His set phase skills are sound while his appreciable pace, physicality and ability to compete at the breakdown is a massive boon. His counterpart, Hanyani Shimange, hasn’t played consistently at a high level since 2006 and can’t match the dynamism Burden, a converted winger, can offer in the final quarter.

JC Kritzinger, De Kock Steenkamp, Paul Bosch and Pieter Louw are as capable a quartet of subs as the Sharks’ Eugene van Staden, Anton Bresler, Riaan Swanepoel and Jacques Botes; although, in a final, Botes’ vast experience probably gives him the edge over the younger Louw.


WP scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage has established himself as a very competent and multi-skilled scrumhalf. Ordinarily I’d pick him to trump Rory Kockott, whose form has waned so badly that the Sharks have opted not to renew his contract. However, a back strain has curtailed Duvenage’s participation in training, and if he plays (a decision will be taken on Friday or Saturday morning according to the WP medical staff) he will do so off the back of minimal preparation and a fractured confidence. His ability to vary his play according to the match situation is crucial, and 80 minutes of the ponderous Ricky Januarie is a scenario most WP supporters would not want to envision.


WP will have serious problems if flyhalf Willem de Waal is injured. His prolific goal kicking will be heavily relied on, while his tactical punting offers WP a pragmatic variation if they should opt to explore that avenue of attack. Young Lionel Cronjé was much-hyped when he first arrived from the Cheetahs, but has yet to show his aptitude.


He is undoubtedly an instinctive player, which can be advantageous in a league-phase environment, but is a liability in play-off matches where one error can be the difference between ticker tape and tears. In the experienced Andre Pretorius the Sharks have a capable goal and tactical kicker who is also adept at running the ball if the match situation so dictates, as an insurance policy.


If the result is in the balance with a quarter to go (it seldom isn’t in finals) the smart money would be on the Sharks’ bench boys to make the telling contribution.

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