Preview: Currie Cup Final

Editor

The Sharks will be looking for revenge when they face Western Province at Newlands on Saturday in a repeat of last year’s Currie Cup final.

Last year’s final was played at Kings Park as it was the Sharks who finished top of the log last time out. And on that occasion, the visitors ran out 33-21 victors despite being the underdogs.

With Western Province having won 50-28 when the sides met just four weeks back earlier this season, it suggests this time the Sharks are underdogs. But they could just be peaking at the right time. The last time the sides met in a Currie Cup final at Newlands back in 2013, it was the Sharks who emerged victorious.

Despite facing a Golden Lions side bolstered by the return of key Springboks and having to stave off a spirited second-half fightback, they did well to overcome that semi-final hurdle last weekend. Jean-Luc du Preez’s return will be a significant boost for the away side.

Meanwhile, Western Province comfortably breezed through the regular season, with six wins out of six and a full house of log points, but were given a major scare by the Blue Bulls in their semi-final encounter.

Newlands is one of the only grounds in South African rugby that still fills up for Currie Cup matches, despite many speaking of the 127-year-old tournament’s dwindling popularity. Last weekend, the Western Province players admitted that they drew a lot of energy from the home support in needing to rise to another level as the game headed in to extra time.

The raucous home support at the historic venue does provide Province with a 16th man. They will be desperate to finish off the season unbeaten and secure a record 35th Currie Cup title in the process.

Western Province Head Coach John Dobson said that his team want to make the most of the opportunity they have on Saturday.

“There has been a lot of hard work to get to this point, with many different people making important contributions.

“There is nothing like a Currie Cup Final at Newlands, so it is something we would like to embrace and make the most of in front of the faithful,” he said.

The Capetonians have been superior on attack and defence this season, but only marginally, with 40 tries scored and 145 points conceded to 32 tries scored and 157 points conceded by the Sharks, which will set the scene for an entertaining clash.

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The last time these teams met: Western Province claimed a 50-28 victory at Newlands. Tries from Jaco Coetzee, Ruhan Nel, Dillyn Leyds, Sergeal Petersen, SP Marais, JJ Engelbrecht and Chad Solomon proved too much for the Sharks, who scored through tries from Marius Louw, Tyler Paul, Gideon Koegelenberg and Aphelele Fassi.

Prediction: The home side will not have it all their own way but should still get the job done. Western Province to win by eight!

Western Province: 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 SP Marais, 10 Josh Stander, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Kobus van Dyk, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Chris van Zyl (captain), 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ali Vermaak
Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Jaco Coetzee, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Dan Kriel, 23 JJ Engelbrecht

Sharks: 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Aphelele Fassi, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder (c), 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Tyler Paul, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Juan Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Jacques Vermeulen, 20 Luke Stringer, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Kobus van Wyk, 23 Leolin Zas

Date: Saturday, October 27
Venue: Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 16:00 local (15:00 BST; 14:00 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs, Cwengile Jadezweni
TMO: Shaun Veldsman