Preview: CC Final - WP v Lions

There is an unusual air of anticipation ahead of the 2014 Currie Cup Final, between Western Province and the Golden Lions.

Yes, there is the history and tradition that make any Currie Cup Final special.

However, this time it may have more to do with the freedom with which these two sides have been playing all season – suggesting Saturday's showdown at Newlands won't be inhibited by the 'fear of failure' which normally accompanies major finals.

These teams average five tries (Lions) and four tries (WP) per game, which suggest a try-feast is on the cards.

Golden Lions captain Warren Whiteley made it very clear that they will employ the same expansive game that served them with distinction all season.

"We are not going to shy away from what we've been doing throughout the season," Whiteley told a media scrum in Johannesburg.

"It's been working for us and the guys have really done well to identify space and exploit that space.

"That is what we've been coached to do throughout the season and I don't think it would be a good idea to veer far away from that," Whiteley added.

Province coach Allister Coetzee, although not quite as candid with his views, also hinted at staying with the impressive counter-attacking game that saw them finish top of the standings and earned the Cape Town outfit the right to host the Final.

Known as a team that gets out the blocks very quickly, but then taking the foot off the pedal in the second half, Coetzee said they need to maintain their up-tempo game for the full 80 minutes.

"Once we get off to a good start, we must maintain that rhythm," Coetzee told a media briefing in Cape Town.

He said the biggest lesson they learned from their loss at Ellis Park in the league stages of the competition is that you simply can't afford any "soft moments" against a team like the Lions, who play with amazing freedom.

The key for the home side would be to cut out things like stupid penalties, simple turnovers and unnecessary penalties.

Whiteley said while they would continue to play with width, they would have to work harder to create the space.

"A final is a close contest and playing against a side like Western Province, with their fantastic defensive record, means you are not going to get through the first couple of phases, like we've been doing over the last few weekends," he said.

"We will really have to work hard and be patient with ball in hand to break that wall and I think that goes for our defence as well."

Statistics suggest the Lions are better at carrying the ball in hand, making clean breaks and beating defenders.

Province, in contrast, rely more on scoring from counter-attacking and in broken-field play where the opposition's defensive lines are unstructured.

Players to watch:

For Western Province: You can't look at Province without starting at fullback Cheslin Kolbe, who – apart from the five tries he has scored – is credited with six try-assists. Province captain Juan de Jongh is another worth watching, given he has crosses the tryline six times this season. Then there is the accurate kicking of flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis. However, Province will mostly bank on standout No.8 Nizaam Carr for his defensive work – having made the most tackles this season, a monstrous 181. Flank Michael Rhodes is second in that department, with 163 tackles.

For the Golden Lions: Their try-scoring machine is flank Jaco Kriel, who has contributed nine to the Lions' tally 50 tries. Another player who has begun to leave his mark on the competition in the latter stages of the season is centre Howard Mnisi. Then there is Springbok flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff, who will hope he can find his kicking form, after struggling off the tee in recent weeks. You can also look at captain Warren Whiteley, fellow loose forward Derick Minnie and hardman Franco Mostert. However, the front row – Ruan Dreyer, Robbie Coetzee and Schalk van der Merwe – may just hold the key.

Head to head: Let us not kid ourselves, this game will be won or lost in the set pieces. In the scrums Western Province will hope Pat Cilliers, Siyabonga Ntubeni and Alistair Vermaak stand their ground against the Lions' powerful scrumming unit of Ruan Dreyer, Robbie Coetzee and Schalk van der Merwe. Then there is the battle of the flyhalves – Demetri Catrakilis (Western Province) against Marnitz Boshoff (Golden Lions), who will be pulling the strings for their respective teams. Another mouthwatering encounter will see No.8s Nizaam Carr (Western Province) and Warren Whiteley (Golden Lions) battle it out.

Recent results:

2014: Golden Lions won 35-33, Johannesburg

2014: Western Province won 27-14, Cape Town

2013: Western Province won 33-16, Cape Town (semifinal)

2013: Western Province won 36-23, Cape Town

2013: Golden Lions and Western Province drew 31-all, Johannesburg

2012: Golden Lions won 22-9, Cape Town

2012: Golden Lions won 26-23, Johannesburg

2011: Western Province won 28-26, Cape Town

2010: Golden Lions won 46-28, Johannesburg

2010: Western Province won 32-0, Cape Town

WP v Lions in Currie Cup finals:

1939: Transvaal won 17-6, Cape Town

1947: Western Province won 16-12, Cape Town

1950 Transvaal won 22-11, Johannesburg

1986: Western Province won 22-9, Cape Town

Prediction: Western Province are at home, that is an advantage. Western Province finished top if the standings, suggesting they have been the more consistent of the two teams. The Lions have been poor on the road this year, beating only Griquas and the Eastern Province Kings away from home. These teams have met twice this year – with WP holding an aggregate score of 62-47. Yes, this is the Final and, indeed, anything can happen. However, we feel Western Province will have a slight edge and win by less than 10 points in a thrilling match.

Teams:

Western Province: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Juan de Jongh (captain), 12 Jaco Taute, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Michael Rhodes, 6 Rynhardt Elstadt, 5 Manuel Carizza, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Pat Cilliers, 2 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 1 Alistair Vermaak.

Replacements: 16 Neil Rautenbach, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Gerbrandt Grobler, 19 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Kurt Coleman, 22 Michael van der Spuy.

Golden Lions: 15 Jaco van der Walt, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Martin Muller, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Schalk van der Merwe.

Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Julian Redelinghuys, 19 Willie Britz, 20 Warwick Tecklenburg, 21 Mark Richards, 22 Harold Vorster.

Date: Saturday, October 25

Venue: Newlands, Cape Town

Kick-off: 17.00 (15.00 GMT)

Expected weather: There will be plenty of sunshine and no real chance of rain. High of 26°C and a low of 14°C

Referee: Craig Joubert

Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper, Lesego Legoete

TMO: Deon van Blommestein

By Jan de Koning

@King365ed

@rugby365com