Carling Currie Cup Final: A Clash of Giants and Underdogs
The stage is set. The final is here. On Saturday, September 20, the Fidelity ADT Lions and the Suzuki Griquas will battle it out for the ultimate prize in South African domestic rugby: the Carling Currie Cup. This isn’t just a final; it’s a showdown between a rugby powerhouse aiming to defend its crown and a determined underdog seeking a fairy-tale ending.
Fidelity ADT Lions: The Raging Favourites
The Lions enter this final as the undeniable favorites. Their path to the final has been one of dominant performances and a display of incredible depth. They finished the regular season at the top of the log with five wins from seven matches. Their only two losses came on the road, against the Cheetahs and Boland, but at their home fortress of Ellis Park, they have been a different beast entirely.
Their recent form is nothing short of terrifying. In their semi-final, they absolutely mauled the Boland Kavaliers 67-19, scoring 10 tries in a performance that showcased their URC-level talent. Key player performances have been instrumental in their success. Wing Angelo Davids was the star of the show in the semi-final, bagging four tries, three of which came in a blistering first half. Flyhalf Chris Smith has been a metronome with his boot, a consistent source of points, and a general orchestrator behind a dominant forward pack.
The likes of Henco van Wyk and Quan Horn have also been in sensational form, with Horn even earning “Man of the Match” honors in the semi-final and a potential call-up to the Springbok squad. Their previous encounter with Griquas just two weeks ago ended in a convincing 37-7 victory for the Lions, giving them a significant psychological edge.
Suzuki Griquas: The Underdog with Heart
The Suzuki Griquas’ journey to the final has been one of grit, resilience, and pure heart. They finished a respectable second on the log, also with five wins, but their path was less about dominance and more about hard-fought victories. They secured their spot in the final with a tenacious 25-5 victory over the Toyota Cheetahs in their semi-final. This was a hard-fought win inspired by two moments of brilliance from their star wing, Dylan Maart, who scored a crucial brace of tries, one of which was a spectacular individual effort.
Griquas have relied on a stout defense and the leadership of experienced players like flyhalf George Whitehead, who has been clinical with his kicking and a key playmaker. Their forward pack has also shown remarkable fight, and they will need to be at their very best to compete against the Lions’ powerful scrum. For a smaller union like Griquas, reaching the Currie Cup final is a monumental achievement, and they will be carrying the hopes of every underdog union in the country. They will be looking to their “never-say-die” attitude to pull off a historic upset.
This final promises to be a gripping encounter. While the Lions are the clear favorites on paper, Griquas have shown all season that they are not to be underestimated. Rugby, especially in a final, is about more than just form and statistics, it’s about heart, passion, and who wants it more. Will the Lions’ power and URC experience prevail, or will the Griquas’ grit and determination lead them to a historic victory? We’ll find out on Saturday at Ellis Park.