Currie Cup Cup 2014 Prediction: Final

Here we are then, the end of the road for the 2014 edition of the Currie Cup. The Lions and Western Province will do battle at Newlands in the final after comfortably coming through their respective semi-finals, and it has to be said that it is no less than they deserve, as the two best, and most consistent, sides over the course of the season.

The Lions ripped up the knockout rugby rulebook last weekend and refused to play a tight game, staying true to their principles of playing running rugby from all over the pitch, handing the Sharks a 30-point drubbing in the process. They have truly been a joy to watch this season, and everyone except Province fans would not begrudge them a victory this weekend.

Marnitz Boschoff has been a revelation, proving that he can run a back-line as well as being a sublime kicker, both out of hand and from the tee. Flanker Jaco Kriel has been a revelation and leads the scoring charts with a whopping nine scored this season.

As for Western Province, they will be desperate to put things right after losing last season’s final at the same ground in front of their fanatical home fans. They have been top of the log for the entirety of the season, and were a significant cut above all but the Lions.

They have their own game-breakers, with Cheslin Kolbe, Seabelo Senatla and Kobus van Wyk all capable of magic in the backline. If the game opens up, we will be in for an absolute treat as both sides have played comfortably the best rugby of the season so far.

They have faced each other twice already this season, with one win apiece. Crucially, when they met at Newlands it was Western Province who took the victory, and by a convincing 13 point margin. The two sides have met four times in the final since the tournament’s inception in 1939, although they haven’t both got this far since 1939.

So, who to pick? It is immensely tough to say. Home advantage obviously swings it slightly towards Western Province, but the Lions will note how the Sharks came to Newlands at this time last season and got the victory, so they will hold no fear this weekend.

That said, Province have been the side to catch since the start of the tournament and it’d be a shock if they didn’t wrap up a stellar season with the title this weekend. They owe their fans as much after last year.

Prediction: Western Province by 5

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By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43