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THE 2013 CURRIE CUP FINAL!!! Ohw, and some promotion/relegation decider in Nelspruit
We start the weekend on Friday, when the Pumas take on Griquas in Nelspruit to try and achieve promotion to the top flight division. Last week, both teams played in Kimberley and a Griquas team relying on Springbok Willie Le Roux, beat the Pumas by 2 points because of a last-minute try by Marnus Schoeman. When the two teams meat in Mbombela Stadium, only a 3-point win is needed for a hungry Pumas side. Some people argue that this is a meaningless game since SARu is again discussing an expansion to 8 teams for the Premier Division. Nontheless, this is a nailbiter and both teams will be eager to win, despite the outcome of the expansion vote.
2nd leg Promotion/Relegation
Hoffe Park, Kimberley (Saturday, 19:10 Local)
THE FINAL!!!
Hoffe Park, Kimberley (Saturday, 19:10 Local)
THE FINAL!!!
The Currie Cup final is here. The 2 best teams in the competition have made it through the semi's without breaking a sweat and we will see a replay (albeit a different location) of last years final. The Western Province team, unbeaten so far, host the Natal Sharks, who beat every team except WP this year.
The Capetonians ended the season topping the log with 2 draws and 8 wins (1 bonus point) and in the semi's they easily beat the Golden Lions, 33-16. With only 2 tries in that game, immediately the weakness of the Province team is shown. They only managed 1 bonus point for scoring 4 tries (in week 9 against that same Lions team). They managed a total of 23 tries scored, versus 21 conceded. Can they rely on the boot of Catrakilis to get them to the Cup? The Natal Sharks scored a total of 28 tries while conceding also 21. The Sharks team beat a fierce Cheetahs team in the semi's, in a replay of the semi final played in 2009 and 2011. Fred Zeilinga is on 91 points and will need only a conversion to pass Marnitz Boshoff (92) on the scoring list and become the top point scorer this season. Catrakilis (58) and Lambie (25) are nowehere near the top.
For WP, it's their first Currie Cup final at home since 2001. For the Sharks it's their second final on the road in 6 years (2011 in Jo'burg). However, they also had 3 finals at home in that same era (2008, 2010, 2012). This will be the 3rd final between the two played in Cape Town. In 1984, Western Province won 19-9 and in the earlier 2001 final the final score was 29-24. In 1995, 2010 and 2012 they met up in Durban with Natal winning the first two, but last years final ending in a WP victory. The numbers show that since the Currie Cup was decided by a final in 1939, Western Province played a total of 11 finals at home and this is their 26th final. Natal Sharks are playing in their 15th final and 6th on the road.
Enough numbers and let's look ahead at the clash itself. While last week we saw a game with arguably the 2 best hookers in the world (even NZ reporters said so), this week we will see a number of clashes unheard of at Currie Cup level. With the return of Willem Alberts, his match-up with Duane Vermeulen will definitely be one to look forward to. Both Springboks are strong runners with the ball and will meet each other more than once on Saturday. The fly-half position also sees a battle worth mentioning. Patrick Lambie has to prove he is the right man to follow up Morne Steyn, who moved to France. However, Demetri Catrakilis has shown he is also in the running for that spot. The "Greek Cat" played for the Kings in the Super Rugby season and returned a couple of weeks ago to join his mates back in Cape Town again. His drop-goal ability is certainly one that can change the outcome of the game. The second row battle between Pieter-Steph du Toit and Eben Etzebeth is a clash of the ***ans and with both players in Meyer's plans for the future, they will most likely be playing together in the Green and Gold not too long from now. Du Toit suffered several injuries that prevented him from making his debut yet, while Etzebeth jumped straight from the juniors to Super Rugby and leapfrogging the Currie Cup alltogether.
Perhaps the most anticipated match-up is in the center-department. Springbok-captain Jean de Villiers will definitely play for Western Province and will battle with his rival Francois Steyn. Steyn, who made his comeback last week after being out for 5 months, is a candidate for the no. 12 jersey in the Bok team but can also play full-back. Both players can be of value to the team of Heyneke Meyer but we will only see 1 of these in their preferred position this November. Furthermore, the back three will see Lwazi Mvovo, SP Marais and Odwa Ndungane taking on Gerhard van den Heever and the flashy Cheslin Kolbe and Gio Aplon. The latter putting his hand up for contention for the Springbok full-back position this season. Last but not least it's interesting to see how the youngsters will do. Heimar Williams, Kyle Cooper, Marcell Coetzee, Cobus Reinach, Louis Schreuder, Scarra Ntubeni, Frans Malherbe and Steven Kitshoff can all make the Bok squad with a good outing in the final.
Who will win? It remains to be seen. The Sharks team will try to beat the Western Province team after losing the first two encounters this season. If they do, it's a complete turn-around from last year where the Sharks won both round-robin games, only to lose the final at home. Are you excited? I know I am!
Newlands, Cape Town (Saturday, 17:00 Local)
