RUGBY
Vodacom Cup heats up
Posted Thu, 20 Mar 2008

The prospect of receiving R1-million for winning the 2008 Vodacom Cup is bringing the best out of most of the competitors.

There have been some superb individual performances too as the tournament continues its reputation as a talent nursery for the professional rugby ranks in South Africa.

With three rounds of league action remaining after this week's Easter break, eleven teams are in contention to qualify for the knockout rounds.

In the North Section, last year's finalists the Blue Bulls and Griquas are setting the pace whilst the Golden Lions, Pumas, Leopards and Valke will most likely have to battle it out for two remaining quarterfinal places.

The South Section is clearer cut with the Free State Cheetahs, Western Province and the Boland Cavaliers best placed to qualify, and a possible dog-fight looming for the final spot between the Wildebeest and the SWD Eagles.

The quarterfinals will take place on 26 April with the top-placed team in each section playing the fourth-placed team, while the second and third placed teams will do battle.

The first four weeks of Vodacom Cup action, which has seen matches played in Sasolburg, Beaufort West, Hopetown, Claremont and Brits, have produced some strong individual performances, notably from some of the tournament's speedy outside backs.

Blue Bulls wing and fullback Rocco Jansen and WP wing Terry Jacobs have averaged a try a game to lead the try-scoring stakes with four apiece. The talented Jansen hails from the Border region and moved to the Leopards in 2005, turning out for their Under-19, Under-21 and Amateur teams before finding a new home with the Blue Bulls in Pretoria in 2007.

He is in his first season of Vodacom Cup rugby.

Jacobs, who has represented WP at all age-grade levels from Under-13 to Under-21, is in his third season of Vodacom Cup rugby. The 21-year-old is blessed with great pace and good feet and was a SA Sevens trialist in 2007.

Leopards fullback Anvor Schooney, who has three tries to his name so far, has also been impressive. He is in his first season of provincial rugby after having played all of his rugby for Correctional Services between 2000 and 2007. The 30 year-old is elusive going forward, has a solid defensive game as well as a trusty boot.

Action in the Vodacom Cup will resume on the weekend of 28 and 29 March.

Vodacom Cup Fixtures:
(Kick-off is local time)

Friday March 28:

Border vs Leopards (7.10pm)

Saturday March 29:

Boland Kavaliers vs Wildeklawer Griquas (TBC)
Free State vs Blue Bulls (TBC)
Vodacom WP vs Pumas (TBC)
SWD vs Valke (TBC)
Mighty Elephants vs Griffons (TBC)
Wildebeest vs Golden Lions (2.30pm)

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