WATCH: 4 classic Sharks-Western Province finals of the 2000s
Saturday's Currie Cup showpiece at Kings Park is shaping up to be just as unpredictable as the these previous matches.
Will the Sharks make home ground advantage count? Photo: Luke Walker/Gallo Images.
Whenever the Sharks or Western Province contest a Currie Cup final, you shouldn’t put too much money on the outcome.
Throughout the 20th century, this fixture has been one of the most unpredictable showpiece matches.
Despite the Durbanites’ dominance in this year’s campaign, there’s a distinct feeling Saturday’s final at Kings Park can go either way.
We go back in history to relive the best finals between the two sides in the 20th century.
2001: The big comeback (Western Province win 29-24)
The turn of the century was a golden period for the Capetonians and their coach Gert Smal.
They had already claimed the previous year’s Currie Cup title and were once again rampant 12 months later, only losing once in the group stages.
However, Rudolf Straeuli’s Sharks were in a mean mood in the first 40 minutes, coasting to a 17-6 lead on the back of some powerful, varied rugby.
Then Chris Rossouw struck.
The Province flyhalf had been fairly anonymous in the first half but it was his brilliant chip and chase kick that led to the try that got his side rolling again.
Suddenly, Rossouw found his mojo and his distribution inspired Province to the win.
2010: A Lamb(ie) slaughters his foes (Sharks win 30-10)
Throughout the year, a 20-year-old playmaker named Pat Lambie was quietly making waves in South African rugby.
His flair and uncanny calmness had impressed most observers.
Yet a first Currie Cup final was surely going to be his biggest test at that point.
To say Lambie passed it with flying colours was an understatement.
He dictated play superbly, ghosted through a stiff Province defence in the first half for his first try and ended up scoring 25 of the Sharks’ 30 points.
2012: The Streeptruie do it Gangnam Style (Western Province win 25-18)
The Sharks had a dominant year in 2012.
Under the astute John Plumtree, the Durbanites reached both the Super Rugby and domestic final.
Weirdly – despite being clear favourites – they hardly got a look-in against the motivated Capetonians.
The Sharks fed off scraps and the boot of Lambie as Province surprisingly dominated proceedings.
Springbok centre Juan de Jongh scored a magical try at the end of the first half (throwing a nifty Gangnam Style celebration too) while flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis was eerily calm in kicking two superb drop goals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZBJUDh709Y
2013: The tables are turned (Sharks win 33-19)
A year earlier, the Sharks were favourites and boasted home ground advantage.
They lost the final.
It was a mirror image in this game.
Province seemed set for back-to-back titles but ran into a passionate Sharks outfit, who enjoyed their underdog status.
Scrumhalf Charl McLeod, who opened the scoring in 2010, once again tormented his opponents.
He scored both the Sharks’ tries and generally proved a pest.
Pat Lambie also turned the tables in the flyhalf battle by emulating Catrakilis with two drop goals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrxkRsVP7Yc
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