Wolhuter on life in Jozi and his first Currie Cup Final

VIDEO: Kade Wolhuter will run out in his first Currie Cup Final against the Sharks at Ellis Park on Saturday for the team that has become his new home.

The injury-prone Wolhuter received a lifeline from the Lions in September 2023 after suffering a second ACL tear in two years while still with the Stormers.

The long-term injuries hampered his progression at the Stormers, prompting the Lions to loan him while he was still busy with his rehabilitation.

While the move was deemed temporary at first, the 23-year-old flyhalf got stuck in, worked hard, and in recent weeks had a regular starting berth for the Lions in the Currie Cup.

With the departure of Jordan Hendrikse, the former Stormer has stepped up to the plate in fine style and finds himself in the pivotal role in the Final against the Sharks this weekend.

A smiling Wolhuter told reporters during a Lions training session on Thursday that he has been loving his time in Johannesburg.

“It’s been a year that I’ve been here, and only recently have I gotten a bit of game time.

“It’s been a great move for me.

“I signed [with the Lions] until July 2026 so I will be here for the next two URC season,” the No. 10 said.

He was enjoying the sunny weather in Johannesburg and said it already feels like home.

“I am happy, I’ve enjoyed the move. The weather is great up here and it’s definitely not as bad as people make it out to be.

“I found my circles, found my people so I’m really enjoying it.”

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According to Wolhuter, the Lions see the match as a bit of a grudge match having suffered only one loss during the Currie Cup at the hands of the Sharks.

“We’ve had a very successful season thus far with the one loss to the Sharks, so it’s a bit of a grudge match.

“We know the Sharks will bring everything they have, they are a great side, a physical side so we just need to front up and match them.

“The Sharks obviously played 100 minutes last weekend.

“But it’s a Currie Cup Final, they will be up for it. That was last week’s issue and they will be coming for us,” he commented.

Wolhuter attributed the Lions’ surge in the Currie Cup to the blend of youth and experience in the side, adding: “[There is] a belief in the group, a belief that we can win the competition.

“It’s a younger squad than what the URC squad was and the guys have been playing for each other.

“We are playing for our coaches, playing for each other and backing each other.

“Just that mixture of youth and experience has been good for the whole campaign,” Wolhuter said.

Looking ahead to the Final, he said the Lions had their first bad start in their campaign last weekend against the Cheetahs, having trailed 0-14 in the first 20 minutes.

“We need to start better than last weekend, we were chasing the game being 0-14 behind and it was the first time this season that we found ourselves chasing the game.

“So we have to start strong and quick and then just stick to our structures and procedures.

“There is not much more you can say to the boys to motivate them, it’s a Final.

“To be in a Currie Cup final is unbelievable – it will be my first one.”

Locked in🔒😤
🆚 @SharksRugby
🗓: Sat, 21 Sept
⏰: 16H00
🎟: https://t.co/yvdp0mIkIh
🏟 : Emirates Airline Park
🏆: @TheCurrieCup#CarlingCurrieCup
#LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/3NaxFfXDpz

— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) September 18, 2024