The Sharks march on Pretoria

In a repeat of 2020’s final, the Sharks travel to Pretoria to take on the Bulls to decide the champions of the 2021 instalment. 

The Bulls finished top of the overall standings, nine points clear of the Sharks who managed second place. 

As has come to be expected, Covid-19 played a not insignificant part in the competition, which saw a 3 in the Bulls’ Draws column while the Sharks sported a total of 4 due to matches being called off and points subsequently shared. The pandemic has also reared its ugly head this week as one of the Bulls’ most dangerous weapons in Johan Goosen has been struck down and will thus play no part in the final. Goosen has been nothing short of magnificent for the Bulls this season, so much so that many expect he will be back in the Springbok jersey before long. 

“I have been fortunate enough to coach a lot of good players and see so many good players come through teams that I have coached. He [Goosen] is no different,” White said after the Bulls’ semi-final win over Western Province. “You saw tonight what he is like when he is on song. 

“Sure, our forwards were good, but we didn’t get a lineout or a scrum for a long time in the game and when we did, obviously the forwards got us good front-foot ball. Before that, his game control, his understanding of what to do and how he executed those things was phenomenal.” 

The completion of the round stages saw the Bulls boast 7 victories from their 12 fixtures while the Sharks were somewhat off the pace by comparison with a total of 5 wins from which they amassed their 40 log points. 

Despite the Bulls’ general dominance in the competition, the Sharks managed to stick one on them when they met on 6 August in Durban: 

It was a victory which the Durbanites will hold strong in their minds as they take the pitch at Loftus. 

After their impressive victory against Province, subsequent rumblings suggested that the men in blue had peaked too soon. Captain Marcell Coetzee brushed such a notion aside, however: 

"No, we're not worried about having peaked. We approach every game in the same manner, as it comes,” he said. “Hopefully on Saturday the hard work we've been doing this whole season will bear fruit. 

"We had a really good first half against WP, but we're definitely still way off from being a finished product. 

"We lost momentum in the second half and that's definitely something we've paid attention to this week. 

"It's play-off rugby. Everything is 50/50. The team that handles the pressure the best, stays calm and disciplined will prevail. 

"We actually learnt a lot from our loss to the Sharks earlier in the campaign (a 35-28 defeat at Kings Park). It wasn't nice to lose that game and we had to do some introspection after that.” 

Sharks coach Sean Everitt made only two changes to his starting XV from last weekend’s semi-final; both in the front row. Khwezi Mona replaces Ntuthuko Mchunu at loosehead while Springbok tighthead Thomas du Toit takes control of the number 3 jersey in place of Khutha Mchunu. 

On the bench, scrumhalf Lucky Dlepu could make his Sharks debut in a final. 

"It's one-all in the Currie Cup, we've beaten them once and there's no reason why we can't do it again," Everitt said. 
 

"We know that the ball travels far at Loftus so we're going to have to handle the aerial battle well, but we have three players - Curwin (Bosch), Sanele (Nohamba) and Lionel (Cronje) - who kick really well and will be up for the challenge. 

"We know the Bulls have a massive pack of forwards, they are playing well and were sublime in their semi-final. It's all about momentum, we know what's coming our way with regards to how they play and the emphasis for us will be about stopping their momentum and stopping their big ball-carriers.” 

Bulls boss Jake White has made only two changes to the side which brushed aside Western Province in the semis; Chris Smith takes the flyhalf channel while Joe van Zyl will start at hooker. 

"The players have proven to be consistent over the past few weeks in their performances, so it is only natural that we continue with that consistency into this all-important Currie Cup final," White said. 

"We expect a tough battle against the Sharks - a match that will be on par with Test match rugby. The Sharks have been a formidable side throughout their campaign. They are well-coached, have talented players and are a driven group. So, we expect them to throw everything at us this weekend. 

"We know what’s heading our way this weekend, and there is no doubt that rugby fans are in for a treat."