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Cape Town - The Golden Lions will get the better of Western Province in the Currie Cup final at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday, if local bookmakers are to be believed.
According to sportingbet.co.za, Johan Ackermann’s charges will beat WP by 8 points.
The Lions will be out for revenge after narrowly losing last year’s final 19-16 to WP at Newlands.
On that day, Lions flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff had a torrid afternoon, missing several kicks at goal - including a last-gasp effort to take the game into extra time.
But the Lions have been in rampant form this year, winning all their matches en route to the final.
They will also enter the match at Ellis Park confidently with the knowledge that they thumped WP 62-32 at the same ground just three weeks ago.
However, WP were impressive in their 23-18 semi-final upset over the Blue Bulls in Pretoria last weekend and will be confident knowing they are into their fourth Currie Cup final in succession.
The Lions showed glimpses of vulnerability in their semi-final against the Free State Cheetahs last weekend and it will be interesting to see how they handle the ‘firm favourites’ tag this Saturday.
Kick-off is scheduled for 13:45.
Teams:
Golden Lions:
15. Andries Coetzee, 14. Courtnall Skosan, 13. Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 12. Howard Mnisi, 11. Anthony Volmink, 10. Marnitz Boshoff, 9. Ross Cronje, 8. Warren Whiteley, 7. Kwagga Smith, 6. Jaco Kriel (captain), 5. Franco Mostert, 4. Lourens Erasmus, 3. Julian Redelinghuys, 2. Robbie Coetzee, 1. Jacques van Rooyen
Substitutes: 16. Malcolm Marx, 17. Ruan Dreyer, 18. Fabian Booysen, 19. Stephan de Witt, 20. Jaco van der Walt, 21. Stokkies Hanekom, 22. Sampie Mastriet
Western Province:
15. Cheslin Kolbe, 14. Dillyn Leyds, 13. Johnny Kotze, 12. Juan de Jongh (captain), 11. Seabelo Senatla, 10. Robert du Preez, 9. Nic Groom, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 6. Rynhardt Elstadt, 5. Ruan Botha, 4. Jean Kleyn, 3. Wilco Louw, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Michael Willemse, 17. Oli Kebble, 18. Chris van Zyl, 19. Jurie van Vuuren, 20. Jano Vermaak, 21. Kurt Coleman, 22. Huw Jones
