AUDIO: Family 'feud' in Final
Western Province flyhalf Robert du Preez will have one last chance to get one over his brothers, twins Jean-Luc and Daniel, when they travel to Durban on Saturday.
The WP No.10 has lost only once in games where he was the flyhalf and his father, Robert senior, was the coach of the opposing team. It was a one-point defeat to the Sharks at Newlands earlier this year.
However, the rivalry stretches beyond just father-son – with the brothers also having some 'friendly' exchanges ahead of matches.
"There is always a bit of banter on the family group," he said of their social media exchanges.
"He [Robert du Preez junior] always seems to go well against my father," Jean-Luc said.
"Apparently he also did that when he played for against my dad at the Pukke," he said of the rivalry that started when the eldest of the Du Preez brothers was flyhalf for Stellenbosch University when they outplayed a Potchefstroom University team coached by his father.
"Hopefully it doesn't happen this weekend again."
While the twins, Jean-Luc and Daniel, along with dad, Robert senior, don't have issues with divided loyalty, their mom will not be entirely on the same side as the other members of the family.
"Mom's got a soft spot for Rob [Robert du Preez junior], him not being here [in Durban. She is really proud of him, the way he played two weeks ago. She is really looking forward to this weekend. [However], she will be supporting all of us."
Du Preez admitted that there is an increase in the intensity of the energy in the Sharks camp this week.
"There is a bit of tension, but we are sticking to what we've done to get us to this point, there won't be any major changes," he explained.
Although he's played in some big games in his career (one being the World Rugby Junior Championship Final in 2014 for the Baby Boks) and recently represented his country, this is his first taste of a Currie Cup Final which excites him immensely.
"It's a massive game, I haven't played a game of this calibre before and I'm really looking forward to it."
Aside from the obvious and instant reward of winning the Currie Cup competition, he admits that the long term benefits that come with success cannot be underestimated.
"This is a very young group and we're also preparing for next year's Super Rugby season and beyond, and as long as this group stays together, that will bode well for the future."
@rugby365com
