When you speak to any Province supporter today, you will be told that they boast a good finals record against the Mr Price Sharks, winning away in 2000 and then following it up with the 2001 victory. But does this tell the whole tale?
The decade did not pan out for Province in the same dominating fashion in which it began. In fact, after the 2001 final it came to a horrific end as first the Vodacom Blue Bulls and then the Vodacom Cheetahs dominated for the rest of the decade. Arguably in a very distant 3rd position would be the Sharks - if only because they contested in 4 finals since 2000 and was crowned champions in 2008 after getting one over the rampant Vodacom Bulls.
Since 2000 the running scoreboard between these 2 teams reads 522 to 500, in favour of the Durban based outfit. This has been achieved in 21 clashes, giving them bragging rights of 12 victories versus 9.
But it is not all doom and gloom from a Province perspective. The last 2 seasons has seen a dramatic turnaround in their performance. They narrowly missed out on the Absa Currie Cup final in 2009 due to a brilliant "after the hooter" penalty kick by Morne Steyn. They also reached the finals as the Vodacom Stormers in the Vodacom Super 14 this year.
Province has also experienced an improved record against the Mr Price Sharks in the last 2 years, winning 3 of their four Absa clashes.
HOMEGROUND - Since 2000 there has been 10 Absa Currie Cup finals with 6 going the way of the home team, 3 going to the visitors and 1 ending in a draw. Although Province was responsible for 1 of the away victories against the same opponents one would have to tick the Mr Price Sharks box, plainly because the odds are stacked in the home team's favour.
REFEREE - Yes, they do play a role. Vodacom Western Province experienced him as the main man earlier this year in the Vodacom Super 14 final - so they would have learnt from that.
BMT - The core of both these teams has been exposed to finals of late. Having played in a final this year as the Vodacom Stormers, Province will have a fresher mental picture of what to expect and how to react and prepare for this huge occasion. I will narrowly tick the Province box. The Mr Price Sharks could only win one in 5 finals (4 Absa Currie Cup and 1 Vodacom Super 14) contested against a 50% winning ratio for Vodacom Western Province.
TIGHT 5 - Most will tell you that the game is won or lost here. A fully Springbok capped front row on the side of the Mr Price Sharks against a front row of lesser acknowledged pedigree does swing the odds in the direction of the home team again.
BACK ROW - Wow, this is going to be one of the exciting tussles of the afternoon. I am looking forward to seeing how the Incredible Schalk Burger, the Prolific Francois Louw and the Brutal Duane Vermeulen spoils and turns over the possession gained by the Mr Price Sharks tight 5. I think based on pedigree one would have to favour Province in this variable.
BACKLINE - Both teams are solid on defence and attack. Province will field nearly an entire Springbok backline against a backline that is highly rated for their style of play. The Sharks will have their hands full to contain Jean De Villiers and Bryan Habana, who are both hitting their best form, and the ever improving and exciting Gio Aplon & Juan de Jong when they take control of the stolen possession provided by the back row.
POINTS KICKER - Willem De Waal will put them through the sticks all day long. Sure, Lambie is up and coming - but one will have to favour the experienced boot of Willem for this final - as he's been there before and won it for the Vodacom Cheetahs.
As a Vodacom Province supporter, my heart probably got the better of me half way through writing this article. I tried to be objective in the start, trying to put it in facts and all - but that is not what Absa Currie Cup Rugby is about and certainly not what the Absa Currie Cup Final is about.
This Saturday will see a change of guard, as a new Absa Currie Cup Champion will be crowned. A Coastal team! I think it might be the one wearing the blue and white hoops that sports a beautiful red Disa on their chest!! My money says that we will shout "WP Jou Lekka Ding" late into the evening after a 9 point victory.
