The fact that the University of Pretoria has been stunningly relegated to the Varsity Shield with a round to play is not a reflection of where the Blue Bulls Rugby Union is at the moment.
That’s the word of former UJ and Wits coach Hugo van As, who joined the Bulls Currie Cup coaching team this season and has had a torrid start.
The Blue Bulls have lost all three of their Currie Cup games thus far, while the URC side are on a five-game losing streak. Director of Rugby Jake White has come out to take responsibility, but Tuks was always a feeder team to the Bulls juniors, and a side that included their under-20 players.
Of course, the under-20 league has not helped and Tuks could have used a lot of those players in their teams, but that doesn’t excuse the defending champions’ catastrophic season thus far, nor the fact they will be playing in the Varsity Shield next season.
That in itself is a massive setback that will probably make recruitment a bit more difficult for the University, not to mention the “please explain” meetings that will be going on behind the scenes in the next few weeks.
For now, though, the Bulls need to get their Currie Cup campaign back on track this weekend against the Novavit Griffons, the newcomers to the Premier division who also haven’t won a game in the competition as yet.
“It is sad that an institution like Tuks won’t be part of the Varsity Cup 2024, however, I don’t think it’s a fair depiction of what is happening at the Union,” Van As said when asked about it on Tuesday.
“We believe that the URC and Currie Cup teams are in the fight. The URC team have been unlucky with a couple of results and the Currie Cup team has just been brought together as a unit.
“And obviously its concern is the top Pretoria University in the Shield, but it’s not a true reflection of where the Union finds itself.”
While the situation is a lot more complex than just results, it is understandable that Bulls fans will be concerned as to what is going on.
That’s why it is almost unthinkable that the Bulls could lose in Welkom this weekend, and why they desperately need to add to the one point they have on the log.
Van As isn’t taking the Griffons lightly though.
“The Griffons are actually doing very well. They were very good for the first 50 to 60 minutes against the Lions on Friday and asked a lot of questions.
“We know that travelling to Welkom will be a challenge. The Griffons are very direct and physical so we have to be clinical and continue to improve.”
But after the start to the Currie Cup, and the demise of Tuks in the Varsity Cup, there are some very nervous people around Loftus Versfeld, who desperately need a win.
Or it may confirm that rugby in Pretoria is in bigger trouble than they believe.