Marais hopes Blue Bulls do it for Tshwane

21 October 2016 - 09:38 By KHANYISO TSHWAKU

Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais is not selfish, but winning the Currie Cup is close to him. As a born-and-bred Pretorian, the cup holds a special place in his heart. His team play the Free State Cheetahs in tomorrow's final in Bloemfontein (kickoff at 4pm)."Heyneke Meyer once asked me about my aims as a coach and I told him I wanted to win the Carlton Cup, the Varsity Cup, the Currie Cup and Super rugby."The Currie Cup is the one that I want to win. I grew up in Pretoria and the Currie Cup is the big one for us. I'm looking forward to the final and even though I wanted it to be in Pretoria, we'll have to win it in Bloem, but only the players can make that happen," Marais said."We're in a much better space now than we were in last year. In last year's semifinal we went back to the old kicking game when we were in trouble, which was a bad habit."This year the guys have kept on playing and it's showing in the statistics," he said.There is only one change from last week's side that beat Western Province, with Jason Jenkins coming in for the injured RG Snyman at lock, but Marais said they would not move from the game plan that got them into the final.Surprisingly, Ulrich Beyers, who dislocated his shoulder, has been declared fit.The Bulls have been in scintillating form, even though they have been prone to lapses of concentration defensively."I said at the beginning of the season that we can play in any conditions, because we've got the players who can adapt to the respective game plans," Marais said.Cheetahs coach Franco Smith has left impressive prop Ox Nche on the bench for the final, writes Craig Ray.Nche has been a marauding performer, but he has conceded 12 penalties - a tournament high - but that was not the reason for his omission.According to Smith, Nche suffered a leg injury last week, which was the reason he has been benched for the match. Charles Marais replaces him...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.