Wed 31 Oct 2012 | 06:00
Western Province beat the Sharks to win dramatic 2012 Currie Cup Final

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Western Province upset the Sharks with a well deserved 25-18 victory in a dramatic Currie Cup Final at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday. It was their first title since 2001, and came about through some gutsy play and well taken opportunities.

Earlier in the week you saw Juan De Jongh's fantastic effort, the only try of the game, so here is a look at some of the other moments of what was a great final, that went right down to the wire.

The Sharks got off to a good start as Patrick Lambie kicked the points on offer, giving them a 12-3 lead before Western Province came back through De Jongh.

Late in the second half young Province flyhalf came into his own as he slotted two drop goals, one shortly after another. The second was an unbelievable effort that was taken with his wrong foot, and only just scraped over the uprights. 

With time almost up the Sharks managed to win a penalty 95m out and launch an attack from deep that almost paid off, if it were not for a superb bit of defending from fullback Joe Pietersen.

The Sharks created a 2-on-1 for Louis Ludik and with Charl McLeod ranging up in support, he chose to make the pass. Fullback Joe Pietersen read it beautifully though and pounced on McLeod, snuffing out the opportunity. The ball got knocked on a dramatic late try was prevented.

The Sharks had another opportunity to attack well into extra time, but after many phases of play and some great defence from Western Province, they coughed up the ball.

2 Comments

  • katman
    8:13 PM 02/11/2012

    This was a classic final - aggression, suspense and no clear result till the final whistle. The only downside is the decade of dining out on this win that we have to endure from the Province fans. The open top bus parade was already too much to stomach :)


  • spencah
    5:35 PM 01/11/2012

    What a cracking game of rugby that was, chances for both teams to win it at the end!

    But Mcleod butchered that final try but cutting inside, Ludik should have held his line and Mcleod should have stayed on his left instead of switching sides......TRY