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WP need to up the ante

Stephen Nell

Cape Town – Western Province will have to take Saturday’s clinical performance a step further if they want to be crowned as Currie Cup champions for the first time since 2001 on 30 October, warns Schalk Burger.

“It will come down to the team that handles the pressure the best and uses it’s chances. We had about 8 opportunities in the semi-final, but will only get 3 or 4 in the final. We have to be able to use them,” the WP captain said after Saturday’s 31-7 semi-final win over Free State Cheetahs at Newlands.

While the Sharks walked off 16-12 winners following an epic struggle against the Blue Bulls in their Durban semi-final, WP made their win over the Cheetahs look ridiculously easy.

It was actually only thanks to a mistake at the back that Free State were able to get a consolation try five minutes before the end.
Province were already sure of the win by then.

While WP recently beat the Sharks at Newlands, Burger does not believe there is any psychological advantage to be gained from that win ahead of the final in Durban.

“It was nice to be able to beat them, but it doesn’t really count. A final is a completely different matter,” said Burger.

“You only get one chance and the Sharks team will look different to the one that played against us at Newlands.”

WP coach Allister Coetzee heaped a little bit of pressure on the Sharks on Saturday night by making them the favourites.

“They are probably the favourites at home, but it’s a challenge we are looking forward to,” said Coetzee.

"The Sharks have a very big and physical pack. There are few weaknesses. They have players that are on form, a loose forward combination that complement one another well with good ball-carriers in Keegan Daniel and Willem Alberts, and are very competitive at the breakdowns. We will do our homework.”

Coetzee and Burger will both be involved in their first Currie Cup final.

“It’s not about me or Schalk. The foundation of our approach is that it’s about the team,” said Coetzee.

“We want to make the most of the opportunity in two weeks’ time as a team. We realise the responsibility we have and the passion of the WP supporters.

“As I said recently, WP fans don’t like mediocrity. It’s a huge honour for every player to wear the hoops.”

Free State coach Naka Drotské believes WP will be able to win the final if they avoid conceding turnover possession.

“The Sharks score 70% of their tries off turnovers, so you have to play low-risk rugby,” said Drotské.

“It will be difficult for the Sharks to score tries from set phases with WP’s defence or to take the ball through phases.. The important thing is to not concede turnover possession.

“I believe WP have everything in their armoury, but it will be tough on the Sharks’ home ground.”

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