Northern Transvaal Rugby - Currie Cup Finals 1987 to 1991

During the 1980's international rugby was a real commodity for South African rugby supporters. The Currie Cup served as the pinnacle of rugby in South Africa and the biggest rivalry was without doubt between Northern Transvaal and Western Province.
Province dominated the Currie Cup in the early 1980's, but the momentum shifted in 1987 when Northerns reclaimed the title against Transvaal at Ellispark. They would play in another four finals and although their success wasn't as great as the Western Province golden era, the rugby on display was still a joy to watch.
Here are some highlights of the five finals Northern Transvaal played in between 1987 and 1991.
Footage courtesy of the SABC.
Thanks for watching and enjoy!

[@richierich4768]

The narrator said Naas scored 4x drops and 4x conversions but he meant to say 4x penalties instead - Northerns didn't score any tries in the game. Tvl, though, scored two tries. Still, the point of all this was made and that was that Naas scored all NTvl's points. But another thing to understand was that it was a very undeserved win. You can't really tell from the small clip, but Tvl played all the rugby whereas NTvl - or more to the point Botha - just played for territory by kicking whenever Northerns had possession, setting up a scrum and going for a drop. Or, even better, forcing a mistake with a kick and getting a penalty. But that was the NTvl blueprint during all Naas' long years with them. They didn't need to change either: They kept winning so they kept doing it. As for poor Tvl, well they hadn't won the Currie Cup since 1972 and had to go through a couple more heartbreaking Final defeats - including another one at Ellis Park - before finally winning the trophy in Durban in 1993 v Natal. They had lost at home in the previous year, to Natal by one point, and to NTvl the year before that. Sadly, Jannie Breedt, the Tvl captain and talisman through the late 80s and early 90s, never got to pick up the trophy with Tvl having come so close a few times. He retired after the 1992 defeat and was no longer around in the team for the 1993 win.

[@rmr3403]

Remember 1987 final. Poor Jannie Breedt and TVL. Naas was baas that day with a winning pack in the rain TVL did well to lead in 70th minute.painful but great.

[@richierich4768]

Poor Jannie indeed! He was to lose two more Finals with Tvl - in 1991 and 1992. That third defeat, in 1992, was also at Ellis Park, this time to Natal, and just by one point! Transvaal DID win the Final the following year, in Durban v Natal, but Jannie had retired - in tears - after that defeat at Ellis Park in 1992. So sad for him.

[@cyjan85]

man i love old SA rugby footage!

[@v0ice0frea50n]

Love, love, love your channel mate! So different! Keep up the great work boet.

[@RealRugby]

Thanks for the support! There's plenty more videos on the way

[@breathe751]

A very good team, who reach their pinnacle in 1990 - but contradicted by a shocking loss against Natal at Loftus in 1990. They were a bunch of characters - lead by Naas Botha and the rugged front row of Uli Schmidt, Jan Locke, and Heinrich Rodgers. many times they had to fight back after slow starts to the season, and came out on top. their best performances was in 1990 with many records being setup, but then lost, probably through being too complacent, against Natal in 1990. In 1991 they came back after a dismal start and had to outclass WP and Free State and Transvaal in 7 days to win the Currie Cup at Loftus. They also demolished Natal in the Lion Cup final of 1991, 62-6. The coming of the Pro era saw some of the their best coaches and the bulk of the side moving to Transvaal from 1992-1994 - players who formed the core of Transvaal's Golden side in the 1990's. (Hannes Strydom, Phillip Schutte, Gavin Johnson, Theo van Rensburg, Gerbrand Grobler, Johan Roux, Pieter Nel, Gerhard Combrink, Charles Rossouw, Heinrich Rodgers and Uli Schmidt and coach Kitch Christie). Had they stayed, Northerns would probably have continued their reign into the 90's.

[@sakabula2357]

You know the game bro..respect

[@breathe751]

A very good team, who reached their pinnacle in 1990 - but contradicted by a shocking loss against Natal at Loftus in 1990. They were a bunch of characters - lead by Naas Botha and the rugged front row of Uli Schmidt, Jan Locke, and Heinrich Rodgers and some very tough loose forwards in Burger Geldenhuys, Pote Fourie and the lanky Johan Lambrecht. Many times they had to fight back after slow starts to the season, and came out on top. Their best performances was in 1990 with many new records established, but then lost, probably through being too complacent, but also through clever tactics, against Natal in 1990. In 1991 they came back after a dismal start and had to outclass WP and Free State and Transvaal in 7 days to win the Currie Cup at Loftus. They also demolished Natal in the Lion Cup final of 1991, 62-6. The coming of the Pro era saw some of the their best coaches and the bulk of the side moving to Transvaal from 1992-1994 - players who formed the core of Transvaal's Golden side in the 1990's. (Hannes Strydom, Phillip Schutte, Gavin Johnson, Theo van Rensburg, Gerbrand Grobler, Johan Roux, Pieter Nel, Gerhard Combrink, Charles Rossouw, Heinrich Rodgers and Uli Schmidt and coach Kitch Christie). Had they stayed, Northerns would probably have continued their reign into the 90's.

[@thegulagarchipelago5921]

I was at that 1991 final. We had seats smack bang in the middle of a massive block of Natal supporters. We got a tad drunk before the game in the parking lot of the nearby school and bought All the hats, scarfs ect on our way to our seats. Not knowing wer'e the only ones sit between all those Natal supporters. 😂😂😂 Ntvl scored within 25 seconds and the party was Off.👍👍👍👌👌👌 Good times!!!😁😁😁

[@donnyhendricks6772]

Huh? The first game in 87, commentator said, Naas Botha's game, 4 drops and 4 conversions? The bulls did not score one try, so where did the 4 conversions came from? 😮😮

[@richierich4768]

The narrator meant to say 4x penalties, not 4x conversions! 😅

[@zsifk3212]

Only final I attended, was 1988 NTvl vs. WP. We were up from Langebaan AFB playing at the Air Force Rugby Week at Dunnoter. At that stage, we were obviously WP supporters. Not a good day. Today I am a Bulls supporter. :)

[@bliksempiemoerdyk6605]

Noord Transvaal pack was monster

[@khumothage4629]

1987 was Naas Botha vs Transvaal.

[@stephenbroad3008]

Shame SA Were not in world cup in 1987

[@pieterprinsloo007]

Jimmy Smith Belton, ref 1988 final, what a doos...

[@grahamschefermann1888]

the buiis199999999