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Francis holds the key
15/05/2008 11:31 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Burton Francis holds the key to the outcome of the Vodacom Cup rugby final between the Blue Bulls and the Free State Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night.
It may be unfair to heap so much on the youngster's shoulders, but he is a player of rare ability and the pressure from the opposition will be focused on him more than any other Bulls player.
However, to enable him to do justice to his talent, the relatively young but mobile pack of the Blue Bulls will have to deliver.
Coach Nico Serfontein will be pleased that Fudge Mabeta is back. This lock is highly regarded and his line-out play in particular could frustrate Free State's hopes.
The trouncing the Blue Bulls handed out to the Cheetahs earlier in the season will not be a factor, the two coaches feel.
Serfontein admits everything went right for his side, and Free State coach Pine Pienaar, feels his side has put that defeat behind them and are now a much better, more complete side.
Replacement centre
The visitors also have a young side, perhaps even more so than the Blue Bulls, who have experienced Tiger Mangweni and John Mametsa to lend some steadiness at the back.
Three players who participated in last year's Under-18 Craven Week - the Ebersohn twins, Sias (flyhalf) and Robert (replacement centre) and fullback Wilton Pietersen, are in the Free State 22.
However, Robert and Pietersen have the experience of a victorious IRB Sevens tournament behind them, and Giscard Pieters will provide some steadiness at the back. Ronnie Uys and Flip van der Merwe will provide a measure of experience and solidity in the front five.
The home advantage could be the decider in a match where the Free State can become the first province to hold both the Currie Cup and the Vodacom Cup. They have won the Vodacom Cup once and lost in one final, while the Blue Bulls have been champions once and have lost four finals.
And the R1m at stake? That's not what it is about. The players want that trophy, even in these days of professionalism. The prize money will go nicely with that, though!
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Rugby
