Currie Cup Rugby Final 2013: Time and TV Schedule for Western Province vs Sharks

International teams take a well-deserved break from the action this weekend as the Currie Cup final enters the rugby spotlight.

Western Province have been nothing short of an unstoppable force on their way to the Cape Town finale, unbeaten in this year’s campaign and hoping to defend their 2012 title.

Disa Flower’s side have a great home advantage heading into this weekend’s encounter and are seeking their 33rd Currie Cup triumph, whereas the Natal Sharks have won just six.

South African sparks are set fly on Saturday and you can be sure not to miss a minute with the guide below.

Date: Saturday, October 26, 2013

Time: 5:30 p.m. Local Time/4:30 p.m. BST/11:30 a.m. ET

Venue: Newlands, Cape Town

Viewing Info: Sky Sports 4 (UK), SuperSport (RSA)

Stream: SkyGo App (Subscription Required)

Triumphant Return For Du Plessis?

Last week saw numerous players return from their international responsibilities with the Springboks and surge back into the line-ups of their respective provincial sides.

However, the Sharks have one very significant face returning this weekend in the form of Jannie Du Plessis, given an extra week off to recover from a hand injury, per SuperSport.

The tighthead prop and older brother to fellow international Bismarck will have a telling impact on the Sharks’ set piece and brings in the third component of what looks a talented international front row.

Alongside his sibling and loosehead Tendai Mtawarira, Du Plessis’ presence is a major boost to the Durban visitors and could eventually lend its hand to any upset the Sharks are able to enact.

After all, Brendan Venter’s side have already lost to Western Province twice this season and are hopeful of producing a different outcome in this replica of last year’s final.

Gerhard’s Swansong

While the Munster may have preferred Western Province to wrap up their campaign a little sooner, the Irish outfit will be glad to see Gerhard van den Heever get his Currie Cup tournament finished this weekend.

The utility back agreed a deal to join the European giants earlier this summer and is set to give Rob Penney’s squad a considerable asset upon completing his Northern Hemisphere move in the coming weeks.

There, the winger-come-fullback-come-centre will attempt to recreate some of the heroics performed by provincial teammate, Jean de Villiers, who also had a successful spell at Thomond Park between 2009 and 2010.

What better way to cap off this early period of Van den Heever’s career than by doing as he has done all season and performing well at the final stage, signing off with the highest honour imaginable at this time?