Pumas in with a real chance of lifting the Currie Cup in 2022

It has been fascinating to see how the different unions have approached the Currie Cup competition.

And after just two rounds it is clear that we’re in for an interesting few weeks and months.

The Bulls and Sharks, who played with very strong teams in the week, look like they’re taking the competition very seriously and want to win it, while the Lions, for example, look like they want to use it to develop their young brigade.

Both approaches have their merits, and I wonder who’ll benefit more in the long run – a team like the Bulls, who’re going to focus equally on the Currie Cup and the United Rugby Championship, or the Lions, who seem to be going with just young players in the Currie Cup.

The team that I think could be the surprise package is the Pumas. They look like a well-drilled outfit and if ever they had a real chance of winning the Currie Cup, or playing in the final, it is this year.

Crucially, though, they will have to manage their emotions and not get ahead of themselves, and not let the pressure and expectation get to them.

Griquas reached the last four last year and this time the Pumas can do the same. In fact, they have a better team and would be disappointed if they didn’t threaten for the title.

The United Rugby Championship is also back this week and yes, we’re in for more derbies. Obviously, with the four local teams having last played more than a month ago, it’s hard to know what we’ll see on Saturday.

What is important is that the four teams play some good rugby quickly so they’re ready and prepared for when we return to playing the teams from Europe. Some good, hard, high-quality rugby will go a long way in putting some fear and doubt into the European-based teams, who dominated when the local sides were there last year.

I’m interested to see what value new Sharks centre Ben Tapuai will add in Durban. A seasoned player at 33 and having featured for the Reds, Force, Bath and Harlequins, the seven-time capped Wallaby will play inside Lukhanyo Am.

Just why the Sharks have turned to Tapuai and also Argentine flyhalf Tito Bonilla (32) is intriguing. Surely it is more beneficial to give the home-grown players a chance?

It makes me think of the other overseas players the Sharks have invested in over the years, including Frederic Michalak and Tony Brown.

But other SA teams have also backed foreign players, with varying degrees of success. Todd Clever (USA Eagles) and Carlos Spencer (New Zealand All Blacks) turned out for the Lions and performed well enough, but were not regular match-winners.

The best of them all was possibly Sireli Naqelevuki, of Fiji, who played for Western Province and the Stormers between 2006 and 2010.