Cape Town - The Free State Cheetahs will host the Golden Lions in the 2019 Currie Cup final at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday, September 7 at 17:00 after they defeated the Sharks and Griquas, respectively, in exciting semi-finals on Saturday.
The Golden Lions booked their place in the top two in the first semi-final as they held on in a hard-fought clash against a spirited Griquas outfit in Johannesburg for a 34-19 victory, while a late charge by log-leaders, the Free State Cheetahs, saw them overturn a 20-11 half-time deficit against the Sharks for a 51-30 victory.
At Ellis Park, a strong first half by the Golden Lions, in which they outscored the visitors from Kimberley by three tries to one in the first half, earned them a handy 21-13 half-time lead, and they built on this after the break with two penalty goals and a late try.
It was a tight tussle, and proper semi-finals rugby as the men from Kimberley took advantage of the Golden Lions’ ill-discipline at times to keep the scoreboard ticking, with their captain and flyhalf, George Whitehead, kicking four penalty goals.
In the second semi-final in Bloemfontein, meanwhile, a powerful second half charge by the Free State Cheetahs earned them a valuable Currie Cup home final in a gripping encounter against the Sharks.
It was an entertaining clash, in which a total of 11 tries were scored - four by the Sharks and seven by the hosts, with five of those being in a commanding second half display.
Next Saturday’s final will mark the Free State Cheetahs’ first appearance in the grand finale since 2016, while the Golden Lions will have a shot at the title for the first time since 2015.