Regardless of the results, the Currie Cup semifinals over the weekend were the best possible advert for South African rugby, writes Rob Peters.

The cosmos was not particularly kind to the Sharks on Saturday, and it was almost inhumane in its treatment of a young Western Province side, but once the gloom had begun to lift on Sunday evening ̵ or for the more emotional, Monday morning — even the supporters of those two sides could admit that Saturday served up something special.

It has been a long time since I have been so captivated by Currie Cup rugby. The hype surrounding the north-south clash in Cape Town, in particular, was from the days of old, and it reached fever pitch at a packed Newlands on Saturday afternoon.

The intensity at Newlands was summed up by Schalk Burger's monstrous hit on Fourie du Preez and it was a joy to watch. That it ended so cruelly for the hosts, was unfortunate, but after holding a Springbok-laden Bulls team try-less, and very nearly emerging victorious, things are certainly looking up in Cape Town for next season.

And it is not just in Cape Town that excitement in mounting. South African rugby on a whole is experiencing one of its most prolific periods in its history. The two games on Saturday served to showcase all the talent at our disposal.

The Blue Bulls, of course, are pure quality. Victor Matfield, Fourie du Preez, Bakkies Botha, Pierre Spies, Bryan Habana — the team-sheet reads like a who's-who of Springbok rugby.

The Sharks, meanwhile, despite their implosion against the Cheetahs, boast similar quality with John Smit, Bismarck du Plessis, Beast Mtawarira, and JP Pietersen all amongst the best in the world.

But it was the players from WP, and the Cheetahs, who impressed me most on Saturday. Thrown into one of the most pressurized environments in local rugby a number of unheralded stars put their hands up for higher honours.

For WP, Juan de Jongh and Paul Bosch were full value, hooker Tiaan Liebenberg continues to show just how good he really is, while Joe Pietersen and Gio Aplon hit well above their slight frames, showing they have real courage to add to their sublime skills.

The Cheetahs, meanwhile, proved they can never be counted out despite not boasting an array of marquee players. Heinrich Brussow and WP Nel are arguably their only players of international quality, yet the men from Bloemfontein still beat a team spilling over with internationals. A lot of the plaudits should go to the Cheetahs front-row who smashed the all-Bok trio of Smit, Du Plessis and Mtawarira at scrum-time.

It is a healthy situation to be in and don't be surprised to see some bolters in the Springbok squad for the November tour. With the inclusion of midweek games and an expanded squad heading to Europe, Bok coach Peter de Villiers has a chance to experiment.

Whether or not he chooses to is actually irrelevant because, whoever he opts for, South African rugby is boasting an embarrassment of riches and it's time to cash in.

What was your take on the weekend's rugby? Leave all your comments below!

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