Op Nuweland (i.e. In Newlands Stadium) for Capetonian Rugby lovers has a special connotation understood only with a beer, friends, family, braai and biltong on match days.
This match day Cape Town can boast a Currie Cup Final, and a deserved one I might add, for the first time in 12 years. It will also be the 12th time since 1939 that this illustriuos stadium hosts the Currie Cup Final, with only Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria hosting more (17). It has also been dominated by these two teams for the last 4 years with Western Province(WP) taking part in three of the last four finals. The Sharks can boast being in their fourth Currie Cup Final in as many years, each winning the title just once in that time.
A stat each side will want to change as it's one thing to take part in a show piece and quite another to win one. WP are in the uneviable position of being tagged favourites come Saturday not just for them being the defending champions and them being at thier home patch but because they are undefeated this term and expect to be so at full time. Granted they haven't scored the most bonus points or tries but this WP outfit ended top of the standings four points ahead of the Sharks and by conceding 22 less points.
Western Province the defending Champions above and the 2010 Sharks winning team below.
The Sharks haven't been their most exciting self this year nor the most consistent but they have the best points difference in the tournament(48) and have raked in five bonus points, so they good value for their 271 season points scored(only the Golden Lions have scored more 326 but conceded 296 against). Both teams tend to score more points than they concede and that in essence is what final's rugby is about.
I wouldn't be serious about rugby if I never brought up the "Bismarckgate" affair so here is my two cents. The boy is undoubtably, most definately, undeniably, unquestionably, most probably, definatatly very luck and if I'm honest the more I look at the incident the luckier I tend to think he gets. It boardering on "The Hand of God -Maradona" status because I do think the Sharks dodged a bullet there. Not that rugby is losing anything with Bismarck running out in the final, he will definately add to the spectacle.
My prediction will be short "Black and White & Nothing Else".
Jade Christopher Bentley Adams(@jcba)
This match day Cape Town can boast a Currie Cup Final, and a deserved one I might add, for the first time in 12 years. It will also be the 12th time since 1939 that this illustriuos stadium hosts the Currie Cup Final, with only Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria hosting more (17). It has also been dominated by these two teams for the last 4 years with Western Province(WP) taking part in three of the last four finals. The Sharks can boast being in their fourth Currie Cup Final in as many years, each winning the title just once in that time.
I wouldn't be serious about rugby if I never brought up the "Bismarckgate" affair so here is my two cents. The boy is undoubtably, most definately, undeniably, unquestionably, most probably, definatatly very luck and if I'm honest the more I look at the incident the luckier I tend to think he gets. It boardering on "The Hand of God -Maradona" status because I do think the Sharks dodged a bullet there. Not that rugby is losing anything with Bismarck running out in the final, he will definately add to the spectacle.
My prediction will be short "Black and White & Nothing Else".
Jade Christopher Bentley Adams(@jcba)
Nice one Jade! As WP supporter, the stamping incident aside, im not sad that Bissie is playing, Just adds more value to the final. Going to savour a Province victory even more.
ReplyDeleteStreepies all the way! Shark braai at my place after the game :)
I might take u up on that braai but Go Sharks.
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