The Fidelty ADT Lions and the Hollywoodbets Sharks face off at Emirates Airlines Park on Saturday for the chance to lift the Currie Cup. Here’s everything you need to know.
Unlikely finalists prepare to square off in South Africa’s big dance
It’s crazy to think that the Hollywoodbets Sharks have navigated their way to the Currie Cup final after a pretty ordinary start to the campaign. The Durbanites suffered losses in their first three outings against the Lions, Griquas and Pumas.
A first win of the campaign followed against the Lions before a 44-44 draw in Mbombela against the Griquas. Since then, however, the Sharks have been flawless, winning five on the spin before triumphing in a pulsating semi-final against the Vodacom Bulls.
The Lions always looked the real deal. Unlike the Sharks, shorn of their URC stalwarts for the start of the season, the Joburgers have been imperious on their way to topping the log, winning nine of their 10 games with their only loss coming against Saturday’s opposition.
Both sides were made to work hard in their respective semi-finals, with the Lions coming back from 14-0 down to beat the Toyota Cheetahs 43-34. The Sharks, meanwhile trailed 20-7 at one point, while at another only had 12 players on the pitch.
Trevor Nyakane selling dummies on the wing 😮
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) September 16, 2024
Another #CarlingCurrieCup classic from the Hollywodbets Sharks prop this weekend.
Here it is with our isiXhosa commentary 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/YyBqasPeER
How to watch?
The SABC has reached an agreement with SuperSport to broadcast the final of the 2024 Currie Cup on free-to-air television. The news comes off the back of similar arrangements which saw the public broadcaster secure sub-licensing agreements for the MTN8 and certain Springbok Tests among others.
SuperSport
If you’re using SuperSport, you can catch the build-up to the game starting at 15:00 on SuperSport Grandstand. The studio will cross live to Emirates Airlines Park for kick-off at 15:55 with the game set to get underway at 16:00.
SABC
SABC haven’t announced which channel will broadcast the game at the time of writing. Keep an eye on SABC’s TV guides for info closer to kick-off.
Betting odds
Understandably, the Lions come into this one as favourites with the bookmakers. However, the Sharks are the only side to have defeated the Joburgers this season – that result came at Emirates Airlines Park at the end of July.
Here at Hollywoodbets we make the hosts 3.5-point favourites against the Durbanites, although this game could really go either way. Check out the match betting and the handicap spread below:
To Win Match
Lions 13/20 | Draw 22/1 | Sharks 13/10
Handicap
Lions (-3.5) 9/10 | Sharks (+3.5) 9/10
Emirates Airlines Park
South Africa’s national stadium, Emirates Airlines Park or Ellis Park is the home of the Fidelity ADT Lions. The stadium hosted the iconic 1995 Rugby World Cup final between the Springboks and the All Blacks, the 2009 Conferdations Cup final, a handful of 2010 FIFA World Cup matches and countless Springbok Test matches.
The ground hosted the 2017 Super Rugby final where the Lions faced off against the Crusaders, with the New Zealanders running out 25-17 winners. This occurred between 2016 and 2018 when the Lions reached three Super Rugby finals in a row, unfortunately losing them all.
The Lions will have fond memories of their last Currie Cup final appearance here, winning the competition back in 2015 against Western Province, a season in which they won all 12 of their games.
The line-ups in that 2015 #CarlingCurrieCup final when the Lions hosted Western Province 🤩✨ pic.twitter.com/jFFchpBY8k
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) September 17, 2024
Teams
Lions – 15 Quan Horn, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Rynhardt Jonker, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Tapiwa Mafura, 10 Sanele Nohamba, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Jarod Cairns, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Renzo du Plessis, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Jaco Visagie (c), 1 Morgan Naude.
Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Conrad van Vuuren, 19 Siba Qoma, 20 Raynard Roets, 21 JC Pretorius, 22 Kade Wolhuter, 23 Kelly Mpeku.
Sharks – 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Emmanuel Tshituka, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Corne’ Rahl, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Mawande Mdande, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Gerbrandt Grobler, 21 Tinotenda Mavesere, 22 Tian Meyer, 23 Lionel Cronje.
