Mr Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House -
1) notes that on Saturday, 31 October 2009, the Blue Bulls won the coveted 2009 Absa Currie Cup for the 23rd time since the beginning of the tournament in 1889, when they beat the Cheetahs 36-24 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, and made the Blue Bulls the only South African team that has won the Currie Cup and the Super 14 tournament in the same year and positioned them as the best South African team that has beaten 7 other teams and therefore received the coveted gold trophy which remains the most prestigious prize in South African domestic rugby;
2) further notes that scrumhalf Fourie du Preez was crowned the South African Rugby Player of the Year and fly half Morn Steyn was awarded the Players' Player of the Year award, the Test Player of the Castle South Africa 2009 Lions Series award and the Vodacom Super 14 Player of the Year award for their sublime performances in the past season;
3) recognises that the Blue Bulls Currie Cup victory was secured by the tries scored by Bryan Habana and Francois Hougaard, combined with the accurate and phenomenal goal-kicking of Morn Steyn;
4) further recognises that 15 of the 34 players chosen for the upcoming Springbok tour to Europe are Blue Bulls players, confirming that the Blue Bulls are without a doubt the best South African rugby team for 2009;
5) acknowledges that the Blue Bulls has once again made their fans and the rest of the country proud;
6) congratulates coach Frans Ludeke, captain Victor Matfield and the team on their outstanding performance shown throughout the series, and their triumphant victory, and congratulates Morn Steyn and Fourie du Preez on their well-deserved awards; and
7) wishes them all a well-deserved rest and all the best for their future rugby matches and tournaments.
Agreed to.
Mr Speaker, on a point of order: In view of hon Ellis's long absence due to illness, I think we should all welcome him back and wish him well.
Hon member, your colleague has missed you, so welcome back.