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Cape Town - Golden Lions interim coach Johan Ackermann has predicted that the Sharks will easily shrug off Western Province in the Currie Cup final in Durban this coming Saturday.
Ackermann's side on Saturday lost their semi-final 21-16 at home to WP after the visitors scored a try after the hooter to sneak a win.
But Ackermann feels the Capetonians were lucky to beat his side, and cannot see them emerging victorious against the Sharks, who beat the Bulls 20-3 in their semi-final in Durban.
"I think the Sharks will win by at least 15 points," Ackermann told the Beeld website. "WP can't be that lucky two weeks in a row. Christmas only comes once a year. I think the Sharks will be too strong for WP."
The Lions dominated against their Cape rivals for large parts, but failed to use all their chances, with some indifferent goal-kicking from flyhalf Elton Jantjies proving costly for the Johannesburg-based side.
Lions skipper JC Janse van Rensburg also expects a tough outing for the Cape side.
"Home ground advantage will favour the Sharks heavily and they are hungry for success, but then WP will also be highly motivated because they last won the cup 11 years ago."
The Durbanites have dominated Allister Coetzee's side in Super Rugby and Currie Cup this year, winning the last four meetings between them.
The final at Kings Park kicks off at 17:00 on Saturday.
Sharks v WP/Stormers in 2012:
Super Rugby:
March 3: Stormers 15-12 Sharks (Newlands)
May 26: Sharks 25-20 Stormers (Kings Park)
July 28: Stormers 19-26 Sharks (Newlands)
Currie Cup:
August 11: WP 23-25 Sharks (Newlands)
September 15: Sharks 43-27 WP (Kings Park)
HAVE YOUR SAY: Do you agree with the fact that the Sharks are heavy favourites to beat Western Province in the Currie Cup final? Or can WP pull off an upset? Send your thoughts to Sport24.
Ackermann's side on Saturday lost their semi-final 21-16 at home to WP after the visitors scored a try after the hooter to sneak a win.
But Ackermann feels the Capetonians were lucky to beat his side, and cannot see them emerging victorious against the Sharks, who beat the Bulls 20-3 in their semi-final in Durban.
"I think the Sharks will win by at least 15 points," Ackermann told the Beeld website. "WP can't be that lucky two weeks in a row. Christmas only comes once a year. I think the Sharks will be too strong for WP."
The Lions dominated against their Cape rivals for large parts, but failed to use all their chances, with some indifferent goal-kicking from flyhalf Elton Jantjies proving costly for the Johannesburg-based side.
Lions skipper JC Janse van Rensburg also expects a tough outing for the Cape side.
"Home ground advantage will favour the Sharks heavily and they are hungry for success, but then WP will also be highly motivated because they last won the cup 11 years ago."
The Durbanites have dominated Allister Coetzee's side in Super Rugby and Currie Cup this year, winning the last four meetings between them.
The final at Kings Park kicks off at 17:00 on Saturday.
Sharks v WP/Stormers in 2012:
Super Rugby:
March 3: Stormers 15-12 Sharks (Newlands)
May 26: Sharks 25-20 Stormers (Kings Park)
July 28: Stormers 19-26 Sharks (Newlands)
Currie Cup:
August 11: WP 23-25 Sharks (Newlands)
September 15: Sharks 43-27 WP (Kings Park)
HAVE YOUR SAY: Do you agree with the fact that the Sharks are heavy favourites to beat Western Province in the Currie Cup final? Or can WP pull off an upset? Send your thoughts to Sport24.
