Dawn Dunn: Unreal!!
I was also asked to present the ‘Man of the Match’ Award by Alberts Breedt from Vodacom. The boys spent the first 3 days of the week in Bok camp and I was worried about the disruption to match preparations. The boys always tend to drop a match after Bok call-up. The Stormers are well-known for being spoilers. Well, my deepest fears came true.
The Ugly
The boys were very listless and kicked predominately for most of the match. Nizaam Carr received a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on our Cobusie. The boys only scored 3 points during that period! That is absolute rubbish. They seemed to do the bare minimum to ensure the win and in the end it was not enough. Jaco Peyper seemed to really struggle towards the end of the match and he missed a crucial offside call that could have changed the direction of the match. Why, oh why, I ask you with tears in my eyes, did Charl kick away possession with 40 seconds on the clock? Who does that?
Darren and I were standing right next to the pitch when in the 80th minute, Jaco Taute dropped kicked and broke my heart. I was speechless. The boys walked right past me and they looked livid.
The Good
Darren and I were invited to the Presidential suite and strangely had to don a suit for the event. We mingled with John Smit, Stefan Terblanche, Oregon Hoskins, Mr Ian Mac and the who’s who of SARU. It was a lovely relaxed atmosphere and I really enjoyed being able to talk about various rugby issues. Alberts and his lovely wife were welcoming and charming hosts.
The highlight of the match, for me, was our Cobusie’s performance and subsequent ‘MOM’ award. I am very disappointed, as we seem to be making a habit of losing to Province at home. I am however, pleased that we retained a bonus point in spite of the loss. In the end, the boys have jeopardised their chances of a home semi-final and now have to work really hard to make up in the last 2 matches left. I love my boys but they did not turn up on Sat and that is never acceptable to the home crowd. We have won the South African Conference trophy, but that is not enough. I demand a SupeRugby trophy, otherwise what has all this hard work and sacrifice been for?
(Photos: Supplied)