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Newlands final between Lions and WP expected to be a humdinger

SOLID : Centre Jaco Taute of the Western Province, in action against the Free State Cheetahs, is fit for Saturday's home Currie Cup final against the Golden Lions Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images
SOLID : Centre Jaco Taute of the Western Province, in action against the Free State Cheetahs, is fit for Saturday's home Currie Cup final against the Golden Lions Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images

Given the perceived strengths of both Western Province and the Golden Lions, the Currie Cup final has all the hallmarks of a humdinger at Newlands, in Cape Town, on Saturday.

Province have mastered the art of converting turn-over ball into tries from virtually anywhere on the field and can be lethal when presented with counterattack opportunities.

The Lions, on the other hand, have been the most prolific try-scoring side in the run up, with their dashing style of rugby, literally running their opponents into the ground.

In their two most recent outings, they walloped both the Sharks (50 - 20) and the Free State Cheetahs (47-7), scoring six tries in each match.

The two teams have met twice in regular-season matches, each boasting a win on home turf.

Lions coach Johan Ackermann gave his players licence to thrill this season, and to tear down the opposition's defence systems with unrelenting ball-in-hand attacks.

His mobile pack led the charge in spectacular fashion and claimed no less that 32 of the team's 50 tries from 11 matches. Even the tight forwards warmed to the style of running rugby and could be relied upon to keep the ball alive.

"We play the game to enjoy it," Ackermann said this week.

"I do not want a prop that can just scrum or a lock that can only jump. My props can pass the ball and my locks can run for 80 minutes."

The Lions have had the benefit of taking their Super Rugby squad into the Currie Cup this season, and that advantage made them early-season favourites for the championship.

For a brief period, they were without Warren Whiteley and Marnitz Boshoff, who were with the Springboks, but both players would be back on duty at Newlands for the final.

Province go into the final on the back of a rather unconvincing semi-final display, however, they again underlined their ability to close out games on a winning note despite not dominating for long periods of time.

Province had the advantage of mental preparedness, having reached the final three times in the last four years, whereas the Lions had made just one appearance during that time.

The Cape side also had former Springbok psychologist Henning Gericke on board as a mental coach and he would have been working to boost their big match temperament for the final.

Province coach Allister Coetzee felt his side had noted their shortcomings in last year's final when the Sharks won at Newlands.

"We have learnt from our mistakes last year and will not repeat them," he said.

"I felt we had done our homework last season and were in the right space, but there was possibly too much emotion that week.

"There has also been some emotion this week, but we are wiser now and we have matured."

The Lions faced the additional challenge of playing away -- an area in which they have not fared particularly well this season. Their three defeats this season had came away from home.

Playing in front of a passionate and vociferous Newlands crowd could also have its drawbacks for the Johannesburg side.

The anticipated 40,000-strong crowd is likely to bring down the roof every time Province unleash their x-factor players Cheslin Kolbe and Seabelo Senatla with potentially devastating effect.

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