Western Province and the Sharks will contest their seventh Currie Cup final since 1984 when the sides clash in Durban on Saturday.
Of those seven showpiece matches, Sharks have won three and Western Province four.
The competition steeped in tradition, having started in 1892, has been won 33 times by Western Province and seven times by the Sharks.
The Sharks won this season's first leg between the sides 21-20 in Cape Town while Province won the return fixture 31-20 in Durban.
Province will be buoyed by that victory two weeks ago which saw them pip the Golden Lions to finish second on the log securing them a home semi-final against third-placed Lions which they won 19-5.
Meanwhile, the Sharks finished comfortably on top of the regular season log on 47 points, ten points ahead of second-placed Province. This secured the men from Durban a home semi-final against the Blue Bulls which they won 37-27.
The two teams have contrasting styles which should should make for an intriguing encounter. Province have opted for a ball-in-hand running game while the Sharks have preferred a more traditional forward-based game relying on the monster boot of Curwin Bosch.
Recent history says it should be a tight game. Of the previous 11 encounters, Province have won six and the Sharks five.
The Sharks forwards remain unchanged from last week’s semi-final and there is just one enforced change amongst the backline, Sbu Nkosi is out with a dislocated elbow with Odwa Ndungane taking his place on the wing and Rhyno Smith coming onto the bench.
Continuity is key and head coach Robert du Preez has not tinkered with the side, apart from the forced change out wide.
Loose forward Jean-Luc du Preez admits that there is an increase in the intensity of the energy in the camp, but maintaining focus and continuity is the primary aim for the side, aiming to avoid the hype and treat this week’s preparations as business as usual.
“There is a bit of tension, but we are sticking to what we’ve done to get us to this point, there won’t be any major changes,” he explained.
Although he’s played in some big games in his career (one being a final in 2014 for the Baby Boks) and recently represented his country, this is his first taste of a Currie Cup final which excites him immensely.
“It’s a massive game, I haven’t played a game of this calibre before and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Aside from the obvious and instant reward of winning the Currie Cup competition, he admits that the long term benefits that come with success cannot be underestimated.
“This is a very young group and we’re also preparing for next year’s Super Rugby season and beyond, and as long as this group stays together, that will bode well for the future.”
Meanwhile, there are five changes to the Western Province starting line-up, three changes to the backline and two to the forward pack
The backline reverts to the same combination which started the 31-20 victory against the Sharks two weeks ago.
Damian Willemse is back in the starting line-up at full-back, with Dillyn Leyds moving to the wing to take the place of Ruhan Nel who is in midfield alongside Huw Jones with EW Viljoen out injured.
There are also two new flanks in Cobus Wiese and Sikhumbuzo Notshe who replaces Jaco Coetzee, with the latter ruled out due to concussion.
Dobson said that his team will be giving it everything to claim a 34th Currie Cup title for Western Province.
“It is a privilege for us to be involved in a Currie Cup Final and the players are determined to do our union and our faithful supporters proud on Saturday.
“We have grown so much as a team this season and we have a chance to end it by lifting the Currie Cup trophy, so we want to make the most of every minute at Growthpoint Kings Park.
The last time these teams met: Western Province claimed a 31-20 bonus-point victory in an entertaining Currie Cup clash in Durban just two weeks ago. The home side led 13-3 at half-time through a Marius Louw try and a penalty and two conversions from Curwin Bosch. However, WP hit back in the second half through tries from Dewaldt Duvenage, JD Schickerling and a Robert du Preez brace to complete the comeback.
Prediction: The Sharks have been the more consistent team this season, while Province have blown hot and cold. Sharks by 10.
The teams:
Sharks: 15 Garth April, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Odwa Ndungane, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Dan du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Ruan Botha (c), 4 Tyler Paul, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Thomas du Toit
Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Jean Droste, 20 Jacques Vermeulen, 21 Michael Claassens, 22 Tristan Blewett, 23 Rhyno Smith
Western Province: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Huw Jones, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Cobus Wiese, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 John Schickerling, 4 Chris van Zyl (c), 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Jacobus Janse van Rensburg
Replacements: 16 Ramone Samuels, 17 Alistair Vermaak, 18 Frans van Wyk, 19 Jan de Klerk, 20 Kobus van Dyk, 21 Jano Vermaak, 22 Werner Kok, 23 Dan Kriel
Date: Saturday, October 28
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 16.00 local (14.00 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant referees: Egon Seconds, AJ Jacobs
TMO: Marius Jonker
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