Currie Cup
The MTN Golden Lions have retained the same run on side that beat DHL Western Province last Saturday, to face the Sharks this coming Saturday.
When last was Coka-Cola Park SOLD OUT for a rugby match?
Well, I can’t remember that far back!
This Saturday however, the Stadium is SOLD OUT for the Currie Cup Final between the MTN Golden Lions and The Sharks.
The first Currie Cup Final was played in 1939 (before that the Currie Cup did not have a Final Game), at Newlands when Transvaal beat Western Province. The Sharks (a.k.a. Natal) are back in the Final for the second year in a row and will be playing the Golden Lions (a.k.a. Transvaal) for the fourth time in a Currie Cup Final.
The experienced Bryce Lawrence will referee the Absa Currie Cup Final when he takes charge of the match between the MTN Golden Lions and The Sharks in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Vodacom Bulls stalwart Jaco Pretorius has retired from rugby. The 32 year old outside centre has been battling a back injury all season and acting on medical advice, decided to call it a day.
Despite a trophy cabinet which has remained empty for a full decade and after the Western Province pack’s reputation took another battering against the Golden Lions in the Currie Cup semi-final on Saturday, Western Province Rugby’s Senior Professional Coach Rassie Erasmus has already indicated he is not of the intention to buy a single forward player.
Lions (19) 29 / WP (12) 20 (Final Score)
The MTN Golden Lions hosted DHL Western Province at Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg in the Second Semi-Final for the Currie Cup at 17:00 SA Time.
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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The MTN Lions laid the foundation for the win in the first half, going ahead 19 / 12 at the break.
However desperate and dedicated DHL Western Province’s attacks were in the second stanze, equally desperate and resolute was the MTN Lions defence.
Sharks (3) 20 / Cheetahs (13) 13 (Final Score)
The Sharks hosted the Toyota Free State Cheetahs at Kings Park, Durban in the First Semi-Final of the Currie Cup at 14:30 SA Time.
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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After the Free State Cheetahs started really well and whilst the Sharks kicking to goal was abysmal, the Cheetahs built up a 13 / 3 lead at halftime, only to watch the Sharks score all the points in the second half.
The Sharks advance and the Cheetahs join the Blue Bulls on the sidelines.
This is it. Eight teams worked hard during the 2011 season to reach this stage, but only four – the MTN Golden Lions, The Sharks, Toyota Free State Cheetahs and DHL Western Province – have qualified for the Absa Currie Cup semi-finals.
Sharks coach John Plumtree has named his team to face the Free State Cheetahs at Kings Park in the Currie Cup in the Semi-final with a new front row.
The Free State Cheetahs have named their team to play the Sharks in their Currie Cup semi-final in Durban on Saturday.
The MTN Golden Lions will be playing the DHL Western Province this Saturday, 22 October 2011 at Coca-Cola Park in the first home semi final in 12 years. Kick off is at 5:00pm.
The Lions will be back to their full compliment of players after John Mitchell had rested certain jkey players for the match against the Sharks a few days ago.
The last time the Lions and Western Province met was barely a few weeka ago, in a game where the Lions brutally punished Western Province.
Allister Coetzee today announced the DHL WP team to take on the Lions at Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg on Saturday 22 October in the Absa Currie Cup semi-final.