2018-10-27 18:16:44
2018-10-27 18:03:46
Thanks for tuning in!
Stay tuned to Sport24 for reaction following the Sharks' victory. And also for the Springbok squad announced at about 19:00 tonight...
2018-10-27 18:02:55MATCH REPORT: Sharks punish error-prone WP to win 2018 Currie Cup2018-10-27 18:01:48
2018-10-27 17:59:57
2018-10-27 17:58:31
Even though they were bossed at scrum time, the Sharks dominated the physical exchanges.
WP will wonder how they lost 6 lineouts and quite frankly never looked like scoring. They have a reputation for failing to pitch in big games at home and today was another case in point.
2018-10-27 17:56:52Well done to the Sharks who claim a well-deserved victory over an error-prone Western Province!2018-10-27 17:56:02FULL-TIME: Western Province 12-17 Sharks2018-10-27 17:55:4780'- The Sharks win possession and boot it out to end the game...2018-10-27 17:54:1480'- Another reset scrum as the clock goes over 80-minutes...2018-10-27 17:53:02
2018-10-27 17:52:3179'- The Sharks have a scrum inside the final minute. They just need to secure possession for a few seconds and the title will be theirs...2018-10-27 17:50:2778'- The Sharks pounce on another WP error and will now just look to wind the clock down...2018-10-27 17:49:1876'- WP looking to run it out from inside their own half, but quickly lose possession. Their ball-retention has been well below par today..2018-10-27 17:47:23
74'- Willemse slots the PENALTY.
WP 12-17 Sharks
2018-10-27 17:46:32
73'- Willemse is now at flyhalf for WP as they win a kickable penalty. He will line up a shot from about 40m out.
This will be WP's final chance...
2018-10-27 17:45:1072'- WP sub: Kriel on for Stander.2018-10-27 17:44:29
71'- Robert du Preez slots the CONVERSION to in all likelihood seal the win.
WP 9-17 Sharks
2018-10-27 17:43:2970'- TRY to the Sharks as Tyler Paul rounds off a move that was started in their own 22m area...2018-10-27 17:41:4668' - Pressure on the Sharks as Van Wyk fails to handle a high ball... but moments later WP again lose possession allowing the Sharks to counter...2018-10-27 17:40:00
2018-10-27 17:38:2965'- Yet another lost lineout for WP. I think that's 6 now...2018-10-27 17:37:5265'- A Sharks turnover brings relief for the visitors. Their defence has been outstanding today...2018-10-27 17:37:1364'- WP sub: Kumbirai on for Louw.2018-10-27 17:36:2664' - Stander's kick is a massive one and brings play into the red zone...2018-10-27 17:35:3663'- Another massive WP scrum sees them win a penalty. It allows Stander the opportunity to set up a lineout inside Sharks territory...2018-10-27 17:34:10
2018-10-27 17:33:5362'- Sharks sub: Wright on at scrumhalf for Schreuder.2018-10-27 17:33:03
ATTENDANCE: 27 600.
Still a poor crowd for a Currie Cup final...
2018-10-27 17:31:41
61'- More misery on attack for WP as Willemse throws a forward pass to Engelbrecht.
The WP attack from the regular season is nowhere to be seen today...
2018-10-27 17:30:0760'- Sharks sub: Van Wyk on for Bosch.2018-10-27 17:28:3160'- Another 1-minute water break with the Sharks leading WP by 10-9.2018-10-27 17:28:0759'- Bosch's attempt has the legs but is away to the right...2018-10-27 17:27:1258'- A kickable penalty for the Sharks as WP are pinged for sacking a maul. It's just inside the WP half and Bosch will line up a shot at goal...2018-10-27 17:25:1556'- I'm also not quite sure I understand WP's decision to take off their captain with more than a quarter of the game left...2018-10-27 17:24:3856'- A knock on from Ntubeni scuppers a promising attacking opportunity for WP. The home side's performance has been littered by errors thus far... 2018-10-27 17:22:3955'- WP subs: Coetzee on for Notshe, Moerat on for Van Zyl.2018-10-27 17:20:3953' - Another lost lineout by WP... they cannot build pressure without the foundation of a strong lineout...2018-10-27 17:18:53
2018-10-27 17:17:57
51'- PENALTY slotted by Robert du Preez.
WP 9-10 Sharks
2018-10-27 17:17:19
50'- But TMO Shaun Veldsman says there was a high tackle from a WP player. This time the Sharks will line up a shot at goal...
2018-10-27 17:16:43
50'- NO TRY as replays shot Du Preez had knocked on. Great scrambling defence from WP replacement hooker Ntubeni...
2018-10-27 17:15:0550'- The Sharks get an opportunity to hit back immediately but it appears Dan du Preez has knocked on with the tryline at his mercy...2018-10-27 17:14:0449'- A big blow for WP though as Marais leaves the field injured. He is replaced by JJ Engelbrecht.2018-10-27 17:12:54
49'- Marais' PENALTY puts WP back in the lead.
WP 9-7 Sharks
2018-10-27 17:12:18
48'- A kickable penalty for WP as Sharks No 8 Dan du Preez is pinged for a lifting tackle...
Marais will line up a shot at goal...
2018-10-27 17:11:1548' - Pressure on the Sharks as WP steal the lineout...2018-10-27 17:10:5647'- A clever kick by Willemse in behind the Sharks defence sets up a lineout inside the Sharks 22m area...2018-10-27 17:09:17
46'- Du Preez CONVERTS with his second attempt.
WP 6-7 Sharks
2018-10-27 17:08:2745'- Du Preez misses the easy conversion, but the referee gives him another chance as he said WP had charged early...2018-10-27 17:07:20It was set up by a patient build-up from the visitors...2018-10-27 17:06:5542'- TRY to the Sharks as hooker Akker van der Merwe barges over!2018-10-27 17:04:2241'- But the substitute at hooker hardly helps WP as they lose another lineout - that's now 4 lineouts lost for the home side...2018-10-27 17:03:1040'- WP have made one substitution at hooker: Ntubeni on for Mbonambi.2018-10-27 17:02:19
Welcome back for the second half!
Stander restarts proceedings..
2018-10-27 17:01:56WP conceded only 3 penalties, while the Sharks conceded 8.2018-10-27 17:01:21The Sharks bossed possession (57%) and territory (57%) in the first half.2018-10-27 16:54:34
2018-10-27 16:53:55
The WP scrum is dominating, but they are making too many unforced errors to cash in on several opportunities.
The Sharks came oh-so-close to scoring but will also rue no taking an easy 3-points on offer...
2018-10-27 16:52:38HALF-TIME: Western Province 6-0 Sharks2018-10-27 16:52:2640'- Stander fails to find touch but the Sharks decide to end the half...2018-10-27 16:52:0740'- Another scrum penalty for WP as the hooter sounds. It's inside Sharks territory and they decide to set up a lineout...2018-10-27 16:48:5538'- Another Sharks knock on brings more relief for the home side... 2018-10-27 16:47:4636'- Yet again, WP fail to handle the restart. Bosch then opts for a drop attempt but pushes it away to the right...2018-10-27 16:46:39
35'- PENALTY slotted by Marais.
WP 6-0 Sharks
2018-10-27 16:45:59
2018-10-27 16:45:4435'- A kickable penalty for WP after a powerful driving maul. Marais will line up a shot at goal from close to the touchline...2018-10-27 16:44:5034' - WP loosehead prop Alistair Vermaak dominating the Sharks' Thomas du Toit...2018-10-27 16:43:5733'- The Sharks may rue not taking an easy three points on offer there...2018-10-27 16:43:3533'- Another massive WP scrum sees them win a pressure-relieving penalty...2018-10-27 16:42:14
2018-10-27 16:42:0032'- WP off the hook for the moment as Sharks No 8 Dan du Preez knocks on at the base of the scrum...2018-10-27 16:40:5331'- The Sharks turn down the shot at goal and opt for a scrum in front of their own posts...2018-10-27 16:40:15
30'- NO TRY as replays show Jean-Luc du Preez lost control of the ball.
The referee goes back for a penalty to the Sharks, as WP were caught off-side...
2018-10-27 16:38:51
30'- TMO CALL
The Sharks may have scored again here. The referee says a Sharks player dotted the ball against the padding but he's not sure if it was at the base of the posts...
2018-10-27 16:36:53
2018-10-27 16:36:33
28' - NO TRY as TV replays show WP wing SP Marais held up Sharks prop Thomas du Toit over the line...
2018-10-27 16:35:20
28'- TMO CALL
The Sharks are over the line but referee Peyper goes upstairs as he couldn't see a grounding...
2018-10-27 16:34:3328'- Sharks hot on the attack after Aphelele Fassi wins a high ball contest against Sergeal Petersen...2018-10-27 16:33:26
27'- A monster scrum from WP pushes the Sharks backwards, yet somehow referee Jaco Peyper fails to penalise the Sharks.
Instead he pinges WP for transgressing on the ground moments later...
2018-10-27 16:32:0826'- The handling skills of both sides have been substandard, to say the least...2018-10-27 16:31:2925'- Another knock on... and this time it's the home side who scupper another promising attacking opportunity...2018-10-27 16:30:1724'- A scrum penalty for WP allows them to exit their own half. The home side appears to be gaining the upper hand at scrum time...2018-10-27 16:28:3723'- A promising Sharks attack in WP territory is halted when Jean-Luc du Preez knocks on...2018-10-27 16:27:0922'- Some aimless kicking from both sides today. No doubt the nerves of a Currie Cup final playing a role...2018-10-27 16:24:5320'- WP fail to gather the restart, but Nel intercepts to put more pressure on the Sharks.2018-10-27 16:22:35The teams will now take a 1-minute water break - due to the sweltering heat in Cape Town.2018-10-27 16:22:03
19'- PENALTY slotted by Marais.
WP 3-0 Sharks
2018-10-27 16:21:32
18'- Yet another lost lineout for WP... but moments later the Sharks concede another penalty.
SP Marais will line up a shot at goal, about 20m in-field, just outside the 22m area...
2018-10-27 16:20:3217'- A great break from WP centre Ruhan Nel brings play back into the zone... more pressure on the Sharks inside their own 22m area...2018-10-27 16:19:20
2018-10-27 16:18:5016'- Again, great defence from the Sharks forces a turnover...2018-10-27 16:18:17
15'- Sharks wing Aphelele Fassi is caught in possession and concedes a penalty on the ground by holding on too long.
Stander subsequently sets up a lineout deep into Sharks territory...
2018-10-27 16:15:40
12'- After several scrum resets, WP finally get the ball out... before Stander's attempted clearance is charged down.
Moments later, another Sharks knock-on hands WP a scrum near their own tryline...
2018-10-27 16:12:39
2018-10-27 16:12:07
9'- A promising break down the touchline from Sharks wing S'bu Nkosi, but great scrambling defence from WP keeps him out.
Eventually, a Sharks knock-on hands WP a scrum inside the home side's 22m area...
2018-10-27 16:10:048'- Lineout issues for WP who have already lost two on their own throw-in...2018-10-27 16:08:507'- Solid defence from the Sharks inside their own 22 keeps WP at bay...2018-10-27 16:07:24
2018-10-27 16:06:53
PACK WEIGHTS
WP 892kg
Sharks 916kg
2018-10-27 16:06:334'- WP flyhalf Josh Stander opts for a drop kick, but his attempt is away to the right...2018-10-27 16:05:523'- SP Marais wins a penalty on the ground for WP. It's just inside the WP half and they set up a lineout near the Sharks' 22m area...2018-10-27 16:04:242' - Lots of kicking from both teams in the early exchanges...2018-10-27 16:03:081'- WP's first lineout goes astray...2018-10-27 16:02:340' - Immediate pressure on WP as they fail to handle the kick-off, but moments later the Sharks are penalised for obstruction...2018-10-27 16:01:31Sharks fullback Curwin Bosch gets the game started!2018-10-27 15:58:06
2018-10-27 15:57:44Both teams will line-up for the South African national anthem...2018-10-27 15:52:10
2018-10-27 15:42:57
A late change at scrumhalf for Western Province...
Herschel Jantjies starts in place of Jano Vermaak, with Justin Phillips coming in on the bench.
2018-10-27 15:40:23
2018-10-27 15:40:09
2018-10-27 15:36:11
CURTAIN RAISER RESULTS
Under-19 final:
Sharks 40-27 Blue Bulls
Under-21 final:
Golden Lions 58-24 Blue Bulls
2018-10-27 09:58:52***KICK-OFF IS SCHEDULED FOR 16:00***2018-10-27 09:57:32
OFFICIALS
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs and Cwengile Jadezweni
TMO: Shaun Veldsman
2018-10-27 09:55:29
QUOTES
Western Province coach John Dobson:
"We know we're going to have to work incredibly hard against an incredibly physical team that has more Springboks than us.
"With the noise coming from Durban, they obviously think they can win this game easily. But one thing I can promise you is that this team (WP) will not go away and we'll be there at the end."
Sharks coach Robert du Preez:
"There is always a lot of pressure on you playing at home. We're grateful to be in the final and now it's up to the team that really performs on the day."
WP were very nearly dumped out of the competition last weekend in a 35-32 extra time win over the Blue Bulls in a contest that lasted 100 minutes.
"I think it could potentially have an effect on them," Du Preez added. "They played for an extra 20 minutes and were stressed for an extra 20 minutes. It's going to come down to all those 1%-ers on the day.
"The game for me showed that you can't underestimate anyone. The Bulls were unlucky not to win that game."
2018-10-27 09:52:12
CURRIE CUP TITLES
34 - Western Province (including 4 shared)
23 - Blue Bulls (including 4 shared)
11 - Golden Lions (including 1 shared)
7 - Sharks
5 - Free State (including 1 shared)
3 - Griquas
2 - Border (both shared)
ROLL OF HONOUR: Currie Cup winners2018-10-27 09:50:33
A HISTORY OF WP V SHARKS CURRIE CUP FINALS
Saturday’s Currie Cup final between Western Province and the Sharks at Newlands will be the ninth contested between the teams.
The first final dates back to 1984, with Western Province holding a 5-3 overall edge.
READ a full breakdown of the previous finals between the teams2018-10-27 09:48:54
OPINION
Though stung badly for this theory before, our chief writer Rob Houwing takes the risk - again - of suggesting SA rugby supremacy will NOT rest in Jo’burg for Super Rugby 2019.
READ the story on Sport242018-10-27 09:47:12
TEAMS
Western Province
15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 SP Marais, 10 Josh Stander, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Kobus van Dyk, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Chris van Zyl (captain), 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ali Vermaak
Substitutes: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Jaco Coetzee, 21 Justin Phillips, 22 Dan Kriel, 23 JJ Engelbrecht
Sharks
15 Curwin Bosch, 14 S'bu Nkosi, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Aphelele Fassi, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder (captain), 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Tyler Paul, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Juan Schoeman
Substitutes: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Jacques Vermeulen, 20 Luke Stringer, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Kobus van Wyk, 23 Leolin Zas
2018-10-27 09:46:14
WELCOME!
LIVE updates and interactive commentary on the Currie Cup final between Western Province and the Sharks.
