Jimmy Stonehouse took umbrage with Vodacom Bulls coach Gert Smal’s suggestion that the Currie Cup has been devalued as the Pumas prepare to face Griquas in the final in Kimberley on Saturday.
Smal complained that the Bulls’ back-to-back title defence was heavily affected this season by constant squad disruptions due to players “coming in and out” while competing in the Currie Cup and Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
Griquas stunned the defending champions with a huge second-half performance to claim a famous 30-19 semi-final victory in Pretoria and reach the decider in the competition for the first time in 52 years.
But, the men from Kimberley faced a youthful Bulls side missing a host of stars, who contested the URC final against the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday.
MORE: “Put the Currie Cup in a museum”
Smal said post-match that the Currie Cup is being devalued and even suggested that SA Rugby should consider shelving the tournament if it continues to play second fiddle to the URC.
However, speaking after the Pumas stunned the table-topping Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein to progress to the first final in their history, coach Stonehouse said Smal’s criticism of the tournament is unjustified.
“There is a very sad thing that I read in the media where Gert Smal said the Currie Cup belongs in a museum,” Stonehouse said. “If the Bulls would have won on Friday, it would have been they are a great union and have a great squad and are in two finals.
“Furthermore, when they played the previous games with loads of URC guys nobody complained.”
Stonehouse pointed out that while the Bulls fielded a young team, it was likely to have a higher overall wage bill than the match-day 23 fielded by Griquas.
Added to that, the likes of centre Sango Xamlashe, halfbacks Zander du Plessis and Johan Mulder, flank Hanru Sirgel and loosehead prop Kudzwai Dube were recent products from Tuks in the Varsity Cup.
“I do understand the teams like Lions [Sharks, Bulls and Western Province] have to play two tournaments,” Stonehouse said.
“But even the Bulls team that played against the Griquas on Friday cost more than the Griquas.
“I think what the Griquas brought this season was just amazing to see – especially with a bunch of new Varsity Cup players.”
Photo: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images
