Currie Cup Final fever here

Endumeni will be rocking on Saturday afternoon as rugby fans across the area gather to watch the Sharks take on Western Province (or is the Stormers) in Cape Town in the Currie Cup Final

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According to the official Sharks website:

The 2013 Absa Currie Cup Final is almost upon us and the rugby-loving public is gripped in Currie Cup fever in anticipation of what should be a fantastic contest at Newlands: tight, physical and gladiatorial.

The Sharks and Western Province last met in a final at Newlands in 2001 when Province prevailed, and the teams have met a further two times – both in Durban – with the teams enjoying a share of the spoils, The Sharks in 2010 and Province in 2012.

And if the fans are excited, you can expect the players themselves to be equally enthusiastic about performing on this massive stage in front of a sell-out crowd and countless millions across the country and indeed around the world.

“We’re really looking forward to the challenge and can’t wait for kick-off,” admits Sharks flyhalf Pat Lambie. “The preparations this week for the final went well and we came up with a few ideas and plans which we hope will stand us in good stead.”

Having played off the bench in the final pool game and then starting last week in their semi-final victory over Free State, and putting in a Man of the Match performance, he admits that it felt good to get out and enjoy prolonged game time.

“It was great to play a full game even if the match was a bit stop-start, iffy at times, from both sides. We had some good patches but also so average patches. So if we want to be in with a shout on Saturday, we need to put in, we have to play very well against Province.”

One thing The Sharks are acutely aware of making sure they get right is not allowing their opponents in early. Although Free State struck an early blow, The Sharks managed not to let that affect them, but it’s not ideal when early points are conceded and then the pressure is on.

“In finals rugby, you definitely don’t want to be playing catch-up and the side that applies pressure and is able to get points out of that pressure early will be in the pound seats.”

With x-factor players and those with experience, captains and Springboks, this final will be pitting arguably the two best sides in the tournament against each other in a fitting climax to the domestic season. So where will the match be won?

“The set-piece and battle up front is going to be huge,” he explains. “Both teams will want to get go-forward ball in that department. If we can do that, we can hopefully put their very good defence under pressure.”

It all starts upfront, and once that battle has been won, then the territorial battle comes into play.

“Being a final, territory is hugely important and the side that can apply the most pressure and get points from that pressure will come out with a win in the end, in my opinion at least. Western Province have a number of game-breakers, they’re a great side who haven’t lost all tournament, so we know we have our work cut out for us.

“There is always a great atmosphere at Newlands and with a sell-out crowd, noise levels will be high and hopefully we’ll see a lot of fans wearing Black and White to give us a cheer when we run out and when we score points.”