Currie Cup Diamonds in the Rough

With the Currie Cup regular season having wrapped up, Quintin van Jaarsveld identifies the diamonds in the rough who shone the brightest for the gutsy Griquas and Pumas.

The Pumas and Griquas were always going to prop up the Currie Cup log. For all their heart and hustle, they simply don’t have the staying power – due to a crippling lack of depth – to compete against five bona fide franchises. The only initial question, which became apparent as the season progressed, was which of the two minnows would end up with the wooden spoon.

After the regular season at the weekend, it was confirmed that that dishonour befell the men from Kimberley. Rubbing salt in their wounds, it came at the end of a winless season, one in which Griquas once again showed their warrior spirit and Scott Mathie’s men were unlucky not to break their duck.

The Pumas punched above their weight extremely well to pick up three wins. Jimmy Stonehouse’s charges saved the best for last, breaking a decade-long drought against the Bulls with a 44-14 bonus-point triumph at Mbombela Stadium last Sunday, a phenomenal victory that’ll live on in Lowvelders lore for generations.

It’s become crystal clear that Kimberley’s not the only place with diamonds, and as such, here are eight players destined for bigger and better things following their incredible individual seasons for the Currie Cup minnows.

Devon Williams – Pumas

No-one made more significant strides this season than the multi-talented Williams, and, in the same vein, no player on this list has such an enigmatic upside. At 28, he’s been an ‘overnight success story’ in waiting for several seasons and his perseverance looks set to finally pay off after a cracking campaign in which an injury-enforced change to flyhalf saw the regular fullback enter and command the spotlight. Boasting an excellent left boot, flair and exemplary fundamentals, his starring role in the famous thumping of the Bulls – which included a sensational solo try (one of two he scored on the day) – was the perfect showreel of the prolific puppet master’s skill and untapped potential.

Willie Engelbrecht – Pumas

As the Pumas put the Bulls to the sword, former Springbok flank Warren Brosnihan hit the nail on the head when he praised Engelbrecht as “the concrete that’s kept his team together” all season on commentary. The 28-year-old was the hard man of the Pumas; if the Lowvelders had to select a prized warrior to fight for their fate, it would be him. In fact, had Jake White not signed Springboks Nizaam Carr, Arno Botha and Marcell Coetzee, there’s a high probability that he would’ve picked up the Pumas No.8. Still, with South Africa’s “Big Four” heading north, an uncompromising colossus like Engelbrecht is exactly what a side like the Sharks need in rotation with the roaming Sikhumbuzo Notshe.

Darrien Landsberg – Pumas

At 1.96m and a lean 111kg, the agile and athletic Landsberg would’ve been at home in the NBA had he not chosen rugby as a career. The 22-year-old made his debut for the Pumas in the opening round of Super Rugby Unlocked and grew in confidence every week before putting himself on the map with a towering performance against the Lions (who he represented at age-group level) in Round Six. The Zimbabwean-born second-rower followed it up with another outstanding outing against the Cheetahs at the weekend, with Brosnihan hailing him as a “real warrior” on commentary. With some extra muscle, which he’s bound to gain, he’s going to be a problem.

Daniel Maartens – Pumas

A mile-a-minute marauder, Maartens turned in more than a couple of top-class performances in the No.6 jersey. He played for the Cheetahs before joining the Pumas and may well end up back in Bloemfontein after the standout season he’s had. Like Williams, he left a lasting impression in the season finale against the Bulls, the omnipresent opensider displaying desire, skill, speed and exemplary support play to score one of the tries of the season, which doubled as the cherry on top of a delectable display.

Zak Burger – Griquas

There’s a cliché that rings, calm seas never made a skilled sailor. Griquas were trapped in a season-long storm and through it all, 22-year-old Burger led his team like a seasoned skipper that belied his age and experience level. The maturity the gutsy general showed in the No.9 jersey is usually reserved for veteran, battle-tested dogs of war. Burger wasn’t just the heart and soul of the Peacock Blues, but the brains as well. Intelligent, inspirational, skilful and tactically astute, the former Junior Springbok was arguably the tournament’s pound-for-pound MVP and is the total package in recruitment terms.

Gideon van der Merwe – Griquas

A throwback with a next-gen engine, like a modern Mustang. Van der Merwe looks and plays like a soldier; when he’s not locked in on the ball, winning turnovers at the breakdown, the openside flanker’s repelling enemy fire with relentless, rib-rattling hits or counter-striking with explosive ball-carries. Griquas’ juggernaut was consistently colossal, however, his two-try display against the Sharks in Round Six, which included a round-high 18 tackles, stands out as world-class. There’s no shortage of talented South African loose forwards, but teams (especially overseas clubs) will get plenty of bang for their buck in the 25-year-old.

Eduan Keyter – Griquas

Exhibited electrifying elusiveness throughout the tournament to finish the regular season at the top try-scorer with four five-pointers, including a brilliant brace against the Pumas in Round Two. The left-winger was like a lightning bolt, providing instant energy and consistent clean breaks in a flash. The former South African schools star has fancy feet and is in perpetual motion, always looking for work. The 24-year-old is comfortable at centre as well, having played there while coming through the ranks, and is sure to make waves wherever he winds up.

James Verity-Amm – Griquas

Verity-Amm is a unique case on this list as he’s tasted the big time before. He’s represented both the Western Force and Brumbies in Super Rugby and I was surprised that he wasn’t snapped up by one of the “Big Four.” After the fantastic season he’s had, it’s safe to say the fullback won’t be in Kimberley much longer. The 26-year-old was a picture of class all campaign, so much so that it was clear – with respect – that he was a cut above most of his teammates. A modern-day back-three gem, he’s equally adept on the wing, although his educated boot and vision make him most influential in his preferred position of fullback.

Quintin van Jaarsveld

Quintin Van Jaarsveld is a former MDDA-Sanlam SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year and a former three-time Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Sports Journalist of the Year. Formerly the sports editor and Outstanding Journalist of the Year award winner at The Fever Media Group, deputy editor at eHowzit, editor at SARugby.com and senior staff writer at Rugby365.com, he boasts over 15 years’ experience and is currently a freelance sports writer.