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By Renaldo BothmaI have watched a lot of rugby in my time — from Loftus to Ellis Park, from the World Cup to the Currie Cup trenches — and I will tell you this without hesitation: this competition still has a heartbeat. This Currie Cup Round 2 Review tells you everything you need to know about why. The doubters can say what they like, but the weekend's action reminded me, and should remind every South African rugby fan, that the Currie Cup is very much alive. It is the breeding ground for Springboks, and we owe it our attention and our presence in the stands.
Four matches. Four stories. Let me give you my take on each one — because as someone who played professional rugby for over a decade, these performances mean something beyond the scoreboard.
Cheetahs vs Sharks: Faf's Homecoming Continues to Deliver
Faf de Klerk's return to South African rugby has been nothing short of exceptional. Two rounds in and the Springbok scrumhalf has put in two performances that have reminded everyone exactly why he is the operator he is. There is a sharpness and an urgency to his game that is lifting those around him. Thomas Dyer led all ball-carriers with 12, Juan Venter was a tackling machine with 13 hits, and Chijindu Okonta covered 95 metres with the ball in hand. Those are the kinds of numbers that catch a coach's eye — and they should catch yours.
Lions vs Pumas: A Crisis That Cannot Be Ignored
The Pumas are in trouble, and I think the alarm bells need to ring loudly at Lowveld House. Two losses from two games is a poor start, but what concerns me far more is the structural problem sitting beneath it. Head coach Jimmy Stonehouse has been vocal about his frustration — the Pumas are haemorrhaging talent, losing an average of nine players per season to other unions. That is not a selection headache; that is an existential threat to a proud rugby province. Willie Engelbrecht had little to say post-match beyond his disappointment, and honestly, what more is there to say right now? Troy Delport led the carries with 15, Jarod Cairns topped the tackle count with 19, and Keagan Smith covered 90 metres — solid individual numbers inside a collective that has not yet clicked. Hawies Fourie has already warned that Boland will take no prisoners when the two sides meet next. The Pumas need answers quickly.