Demetri Catrakilis has developed a reputation as a big match-winner and will hold the key to Western Province's Currie Cup title hopes, writes JON CARDINELLI.
Injury has limited Catrakilis's involvement in the 2013 domestic tournament. He's played four matches and started just two, and yet it cannot be denied that some terrific option-taking complemented by a steely temperament has swung some important results in WP's favour.
Coach Allister Coetzee has rightly lauded the WP pack for its platform-setting contributions. No flyhalf can dominate unless his forwards win the set-pieces and collisions. That said, no team can win big games and trophies unless the No 10 translates that dominance into territory and ultimately points.
For too long, the Cape side has struggled to win play-off games and trophies because it has lacked a dependable No 10. Peter Grant has been an excellent goal-kicker, but his weak tactical kicking has perennially cost the Cape franchise in big matches. In the most recent Super Rugby tournament, Elton Jantjies brought more to the No 10 position from a tactical-kicking and attacking perspective, but unfortunately battled with his consistency. His defence made him a liability.
Catrakilis appears to be the complete package. It bodes well as WP prepare for the Currie Cup play-offs, and is an encouraging sign ahead of a massively important 2014 Super Rugby season for the Stormers.
It's an observation made on the player's performances rather than a prediction based on his raw potential.
Catrakilis was on the outer at the beginning of the 2012 season. Not to be deterred by his lot as the Stormers' fourth-choice No 10, he contacted the renowned visual skills coach, Sherylle Calder.
'Make me the best goal-kicker in South Africa,' he said. It seemed an outrageous request at the time, given the standards of goal-kicking in this country. But nearly two years on, Catrakilis boasts a success rate of 85% and is certainly up there with the best.
Calder's Eye Gym programme has already helped the likes of Percy Montgomery and Jonny Wilkinson achieve great things on the Test circuit. It was Catrakilis's belief that the 'Eye Lady' could do him a similar favour; that she could help him improve his kicking accuracy and reach the next level.
In 2012, WP would win the Vodacom Cup as well as the Currie Cup. They were the underdogs in both finals, and on both occasions it was the boot of Catrakilis that made the difference.
In 2013, Catrakilis helped a new team of underdogs, the Southern Kings, to some monumental achievements. He starred in the 28-28 draw in Canberra against a Brumbies team that would go on to reach the Super Rugby final. And then who could forget the drop goal that clinched a famous 30-27 win over the Rebels in Melbourne? With that fantastic strike by 'The Greek', the Kings became the first South African side in history to win Down Under in their debut season.
And as is the case with most influential players, Catrakilis was conspicuous by his absence. The Kings battled in the post-season play-off matches against the Lions when their ace goal-kicker was forced from the field with injury. They had relied on Catrakilis to bank the bulk of the points in the preceding tournament, as well as win the territorial battle with that ground-gaining boot. They weren't the same after he cried off in that first promotion-relegation clash in Port Elizabeth.
He has become renowned for his kicking accuracy, both in front of goal and out of hand. His confidence to shoot for the drop goal has made him one of the most dangerous No 10s in the current tournament, and I'm sure the Golden Lions will be wary of that snap-drop this weekend.
It's clear that he has the natural talent, and as is evident through his work with Calder and a refusal to accept his lot as fourth-choice, he has determination. On top of all that, he has the temperament to make it count on game day, and more specifically in matches where the pressure and expectation are immense.
These are the qualities that caught the eye of Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer at the beginning of the 2013 season. Catrakilis was invited to a Bok training camp together with flyhalves Johan Goosen, Morné Steyn, Pat Lambie, and Elton Jantjies. Meyer has always acknowledged players who have the mental strength to complement their natural abilities. Even at this early stage, Catrakilis is most certainly in that category.
He may not be in contention for a Test cap just yet, but he will be closely monitored in the next season or two. Guiding WP to another Currie Cup title certainly won't hurt his chances.
No doubt the message from the WP coaches this Saturday, and possibly the next, will be 'Get it to the Greek'. Steyn has propelled the Bulls to some famous victories over the years, and I expect Catrakilis will do the same for WP in the 2013 Currie Cup play-offs
Very happy to have him back and Elton gone. This boy has BMT.
