The Highvelders will attempt to lift the famous gold trophy for the first time since 2015, when they defeated DHL Western Province in the Lions’ Den, although they also appeared in the 2019 decider, where they lost a cliffhanger to the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
This coming Saturday will be the first time since 2021 when the Durbanites make an appearance in a final again, when they were on the receiving end of a 44-10 defeat to the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
The last time the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV lifted the Carling Currie Cup, was when they beat DHL WP in the 2018 final.
A quick glance into the history of Carling Currie Cup successes for these two teams, sees the Joburg outfit leading their east coast rivals by 11 titles (once shared) to eight, while during the past 10 years the Durbanites have appeared in four finals, which is one more than the Highvelders.
This season, the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV were the only team that managed to inflict a defeat on the Fidelity ADT Lions – a 35-22 win in the fourth round at the end of July in Johannesburg, which signalled their turnaround after a stuttering start of three straight losses at the start of the campaign.
After winning in Joburg in July, the KwaZulu-Natalians stacked up five wins and two draws in an impressive eight-game unbeaten streak, which includes last week’s epic semi-final stalemate with the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria.
The Highvelders, on the other hand, marched impressively towards their home final, winning nine of their regulation games, with the home loss to the Durbanites their only blemish to date.
During that time, the Gauteng team have shown their sharp claws, and they have been menacing on attack, running in 62 tries and conceding only 31 overall. However, the Durbanites showed during last week’s thriller at Loftus they possess a dangerous attacking arsenal themselves.
A closer look at the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV shows why they have been in such great form the past two months. They have successfully integrated several promising youngsters – includeing a handful of Junior Springboks – with battle hardened campaigners and several Vodacom United Rugby Championship stalwarts, which opposing teams have found difficult to handle.
Also, as demonstrated last week, they displayed their mental strength and character by fighting back for a memorable draw at Loftus, despite playing with 12 men at one stage late in the game.
Looking back at the outcome of the last 10 meetings between these sides, dating back to 2019, then the results are almost even between them. The KZN outfit only just edged their Joburg opponents by five wins to four, with one match cancelled.
Meanwhile, Saturday’s big occasion will be refereed by Morne Ferreira who is set to take the whistle in his first Carling Currie Cup Final. His will be assisted by Griffin Colby and Stephan Geldenhuys on the sidelines, while Egon Seconds will do duty as the television match official.
Last 10 Carling Currie Cup Finals:
2023: Toyota Cheetahs 25-17 Airlink Pumas
2022: Airlink Pumas 26-19 Suzuki Griquas
2021: Vodacom Bulls 44-10 Hollywoodbets Sharks
2020: Vodacom Bulls 26-19 Hollywoodbets Sharks (after extra time)
2019: Toyota Cheetahs 31-28 Fidelity ADT Lions
2018: Hollywoodbets Sharks 17-12 DHL Western Province
2017: DHL Western Province 33-21 Hollywoodbets Sharks
2016: Toyota Cheetahs 36-16 Vodacom Bulls
2015: Fidelity ADT Lions 32-24 DHL Western Province
2014: DHL Western Province 19-16 Fidelity ADT Lions
Team news
Mziwakhe Nkosi has made only one change to the Fidelity ADT Lions starting team from the semi-final, with Sanele Nohamba coming in at flyhalf for Kade Wolhuter, who moves down to the bench.
Hollywoodbets Sharks XV head coach John Plumtree has largely stuck with last week’s semi-final team, making just two changes, one amongst the forwards and the other in the backline.
Emmanuel Tshituka will start at No 8 after playing off the bench last week, while Jurenzo Julius returns at outside centre to partner with Springbok Andre Esterhuizen in the midfield.
Teams:
Fidelity ADT Lions: 15. Quan Horn, 14. Rabz Maxwane, 13. Rynhardt Jonker, 12. Marius Louw, 11. Tapiwa Mafura, 10. Sanele Nohamba, 9. Nico Steyn, 8. Jarod Cairns, 7. Ruan Venter, 6. Renzo du Plessis, 5. Darrien-Lane Landsberg, 4. Ruben Schoeman, 3. Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2. Jaco Visagie (captain), 1. Morgan Naude. Replacements: 16. Morne Brandon, 17. Juan Schoeman, 18. Conrad van Vuuren, 19. Siba Qoma, 20. Raynard Roets, 21. JC Pretorius, 22. Kade Wolhuter, 23. Kelly Mpeku.
Hollywoodbets Sharks XV: 15. Jordan Hendrikse, 14. Eduan Keyter, 13. Jurenzo Julius, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. Ethan Hooker, 10. Siya Masuku, 9. Bradley Davids, 8. Emmanuel Tshituka, 7. Vincent Tshituka (captain), 6. James Venter, 5. Emile van Heerden, 4. Corné Rahl, 3. Hanro Jacobs, 2. Fez Mbatha, 1. Ntuthuko Mchunu. Replacements: 16. Dylan Richardson, 17. Trevor Nyakane, 18. Mawande Mdande, 19. Jason Jenkins, 20. Gerbrandt Grobler, 21. Tinotenda Mavesere, 22. Tian Meyer, 23. Lionel Cronje.
