Shane Kirkwood is poised to emulate DHL Stormers loose forward Willie Engelbrecht and capture a hallmark move in his career after Saturday’s Currie Cup final, reports DEVIN HERMANUS.
Last season, Engelbrecht became the first Pumas captain to lift the coveted trophy of rugby’s oldest competition. Now, Kirkwood will lead the defending champions against the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein this weekend.
The 33-year-old lock was part of the Pumas team that completed the rags-to-riches story in 2022, and has been a tower of strength for the Lowvelders in their quest to defy expectations once again and retain their crown.
Speaking as Jimmy Stonehouse’s charges stand on the cusp of winning back-to-back titles, he told SA Rugby magazine: “It’s been a massive honour and privilege, this team has been so easy to captain. There’s so many players in their positions who are so professional.
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“It’s been a humbling and awesome experience. Obviously, you can’t be leading the team and making mistakes, so from my side I just try to be an example for the guy next to me.
“Willie was in Nelspruit last week and we had a quick chat … he was a massive leader and big loss for us, and a very good player. So from last season, I’ve learnt how he handled the final and he did a great job.”
On Kirkwood’s impact for the Pumas, Stonehouse said: “Shane is one of our pillars in the team, and we wanted him a few years back and he didn’t come. Now he says to me, ‘Coach, it’s one of the biggest mistakes I made in my whole life.’
“But we’re glad he’s here, he’s a great captain, a great person and a great man, and we see him like people [in Free State] see Ruan Pienaar.
“So he is that kind of guy in our team who keeps things together and is very, very valuable for the Pumas. And also, being a bit on the older side, the quality he produces is just amazing.”
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The Cheetahs finished at the top of the standings in the build up to the playoffs and hold the edge for the decider in Bloem, yet the hosts must remain cautious of the Pumas, who triumphed in last year’s semi-final on Free State soil, and won 61-21 earlier this season.
Kirkwood added: “We weren’t too worried whether we had a target on our backs this season, but I also think lots of people thought last year was a once-off win.
“Then after that first week against the Bulls, people realised maybe we weren’t a once-off and that we’re here to do the same again this year. Luckily we sorted our stuff out just before the semis and we’re in the final again.
“It’s going to be a big game and we know the Cheetahs are going to come out for us, and I see in the media they always say they owe us one.
“But we’re not too worried about that and we’re just there to play our 80-minute rugby It’ll be about keeping the guys calm and not worrying about anything outside the whitelines, stay in the moment, and hopefully the result will go our way.”
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