Sharks stick with semis squad for Currie Cup final

Sharks coach John Plumtree has stuck with the bulk of the team that played against the Blue Bulls in the semi-final for Saturday’s Currie Cup final against the Lions at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

Plumtree has made only two changes to his starting 15 with the Durban-based Sharks champing at the bit to win their second trophy in a short space of time.

Weather conditions might be a factor and altitude could hinder the Sharks after they played 100 minutes at altitude against the Blue Bulls last weekend at Loftus Versfeld. But the Lions have left no stone unturned in preparing for the crunch final and have a plan in place as they bid to win their first Currie Cup title since 2015.

The Sharks made history in May when they won the European Challenge Cup to become the first South African side to win a European trophy.

Despite the team starting its United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign next week, they are fully focused on Saturday’s Currie Cup final.

Lock Jason Jenkins will make his debut for the Sharks while Jurenzo Julius returns from injury as the Sharks eye a second trophy. Sharks coach, John Plumtree, says it will be special if they were to win it.

“It’ll make it special for everyone and there’s a genuine excitement in natal at the moment around this opportunity you can’t help but get excited cause everyone around you is excited. If we can pull it off its two trophies in such a short space of time.”

Plumtree has relived memories of the 2011 Currie Cup final which the Lions won after beating the Sharks 42-16 in Johannesburg.

Back then, the Sharks had picked six 2011 Rugby World Cup Springboks for the final, which Plumtree says in hindsight, was a mistake whereas the URC players have now strengthened the team.

“I think it’s a bit different to my situation now, I don’t think the youngsters that were playing at the start of the season would go on and win the Currie Cup. I think the team that we’ve got now is capable of doing it.”

While altitude and weather conditions might favour the Lions, the players have left no stone unturned in preparing for the match. Lions fly-half, Kade Wolhuter, says they Have a plan in place.

“There’s always a potential they will be tired playing 100 minutes in altitude is tough but yet again it’s a Currie Cup finally there’s not much more you can say to the guys to get them excited so they will come out firing no matter what. There is also the potential of a bit of rain and wet weather coming this weekend if it happens we will adapt to that we’ve got a plan in place.”

Meanwhile, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) will provide a special train service for rugby fans to Ellis Park before, during, and after the game.

Fans have been encouraged to use public transport to Park Station and use Metrorail trains to the gates of Ellis Park as there will be limited parking available at the stadium.

The Metrorail trains will run every 15 minutes from 11 o’clock to 4 o’clock and will resume services from 6 p.m. to 8 o’clock. The cost of this service is R14.50 per person.