Currie Cup still has a key role to play in SA rugby system

Squad development will be the priority for the leading franchises over the course of a Currie Cup campaign that sets the tone for the URC and European tournaments

- By Jon Cardinelli

The physicality of the Currie Cup has always been its selling point, and one cannot talk about the history of South Africa's domestic tournament without highlighting one of the most brutal contests of the professional era.

South African rugby enjoyed a golden run of results in 2009 with the Springboks winning the Test series against the British & Irish Lions as well as the Tri Nations, and the Bulls claiming the Super Rugby title.

And yet, Schalk Burger's titanic tackle on national teammate Fourie du Preez in the 2009 Currie Cup semifinal between Western Province and the Blue Bulls remains one of the most enduring moments of a monumental season.

No quarter was given as Burger hammered an unsighted Du Preez into the Newlands turf, much to the delight of the capacity crowd.

When Du Preez got to his feet and glanced in Burger's direction, the WP flanker winked. The Bulls scrumhalf responded with a smile - and this interaction came to symbolise what the Currie Cup and South African rugby is all about.

Already a diluted product

What many forget is that the Currie Cup was already a diluted product in 2009.

Leading Springboks were managed over the course of the Super Rugby tournament and only released for provincial duty at the back end of the Currie Cup.

Although this led to some heavyweight matchups in the playoffs, it wasn't a fair reflection of the standard of the tournament as a whole.

Peter de Villiers, the Bok coach at the time, as well as his successor, Heyneke Meyer, often admitted that the players were assessed and selected on the basis of their Super Rugby performances.