Sharks flyhalf Curwin Bosch says he’s done a lot of introspection since the Currie Cup final and has taken away important lessons, writes CRAIG LEWIS.
Following the completion of the recent domestic season, Bosch earned two nominations in the BrightRock 2021 Players Choice Awards. Along with the three other players, he was named in both the Players’ Player of the Year and Backline Player of the Year category.
It’s a reflection of a season where the Sharks progressed to the final in the Currie Cup, and came close to clinching a major upset victory over the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus.
Bosch played an integral role throughout the domestic campaign, banking a significant amount of game time at flyhalf, but the season did end on a disappointing note when the 23-year-old missed several kicks at goal in the title decider.
A number of shots at goal were lined up from long-distance, while the missed kicks also stood in contrast to his impressive accuracy from the kicking tee earlier in the season, but Bosch still found himself on the receiving end of pointed criticism.
In an open and honest interview with SARugbymag.co.za, Bosch reflected on the season and the disappointment of the final.
‘There were more highs than lows for me personally. I felt I had a very good season, and I enjoyed my rugby and had fun out there. For myself and the team, it didn’t end the way we wanted it to, but games like the Currie Cup final are the ones from which you learn the most and grow the most.
‘I did a personal review and analysis of the final, and I stepped back from that knowing I’ve learned so much about myself and the game in general.’
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Bosch conceded that his personal performance ‘was not up to scratch’, but said he had learned the importance of applying a health dose of perspective to the season review.
‘We’re a young team with many young players reaching their first Currie Cup final. It’s a pity that our greatest learning experience came in the form of a final, but that’s life. I’ve done a lot of introspection, and I know what I would have liked to do differently. The upside is that we believe we will soon be in that position again.
‘We have the ability to win trophies, and we came desperately close to winning the Currie Cup. We don’t dwell on the negatives of a finals loss, but on the opportunities for growth this gave us. We didn’t have a perfect season. We tried to play a certain style of rugby, but due to many disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, we had inconsistency in our season.
‘Knowing that, we’re now building towards a great future and winning silverware. That excites us – knowing we are capable of achieving great things as a team.’
It also shouldn’t be forgotten that Bosch is no stranger to criticism. This has previously and predominantly revolved around perceived defensive fragilities, but he has worked hard on this aspect of his game, while the unequivocal backing of Sharks coach Sean Everitt has served to maximise his strengths at flyhalf.
Nevertheless, Bosch said he had learned a lot about how to guard himself against outside critics and gauge what advice to take on board, and from whom.
‘Some players find it very difficult, but for me it has become easy. There will always be people who have something to say and who think they know better. Ironically, the people who think they know the most, usually don’t, but those are also the people who have the most to say.
‘In the end, it’s the opinion of someone you don’t know and who doesn’t know you. At first, I found it difficult to shut out those external noises, but it’s easier now. After the Currie Cup final, there was a lot of hype on social media. But I never felt that it got under my skin, and on a personal level, I found it pleasing to experience that I have learned to brush that off.’
