When I saw the team I was a doubting Thomas about their chances to win the final. I am delighted that I was wrong.
To my mind the Junior Player of the year was no doubt Serfontein. This guy is going to go places in future.
In essence I believe that the weaather played a role in the outcome and that the New Zealand back line in fact outplayed the Springbok one - with the notable exception of Serfontein and Pollack. However, I initially said their forwards are not going to be strong enough and there is no doubt that the forwards won the game for SA.
No for my point system:-
Leyds - 6
Mbovane - 5
Van Wyk - 6
Serfontein - 10
Rhule - 6
Pollard - 8
Van der Walt - 8
Booysen - 7
Du Toit - 9
Liebenberg - 7
Botha - 8
Willemse - 5
Van Dyk - 9
Pretorius - 9
Kitshoff - 9
I would have given Willemse an 8 - but for the red card.
Going into the future I believe that New Zealand would have a problem woith forwards in years to come - but they will have an excellent back line.
On the whole - the winning margin would have been higher if Jordaan was alvailable. What a pity to see Small-Smith on crutches - he also would have made a huge contribution.
We are the champs!!!!!!!
