Western Province vs. Golden Lions: 5 Key Battles for Currie Cup Final
South Africa has two deserving finalists armed and ready to clash in Saturday's Currie Cup crescendo, with Western Province and Golden Lions the two standout teams of the 2014 competition.
Eighty-eight tries have been scored between the two sides in this year's tournament, and Cape Town is primed to host an extraordinary encounter in the name of domestic dominance.
Ahead of Saturday's meeting, we profile the five most prominent battles, with the back-line heroes in particular set to make for all-star action.
1. Cheslin Kolbe vs. Jaco van der Walt
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Fortunately for Western Province, Cheslin Kolbe has come upon a steady strain of fitness to thrive among their ranks this year, scoring five tries thus far in the competition.
His dazzling presence at fullback gives Saturday's home outfit something of an X-factor, while Jaco van der Walt represents a more conservative figure in the No. 15 jersey.
That contrast in style makes the battle all the more intriguing, with two rising stars of the South African scene ready to duel in a scrap of the youngsters.
Kolbe's preference for dynamic running and integration into the Western Province line leaves Van der Walt with a potential to exploit space with the boot.
Kolbe will need to pick his timing with precision in deciding when to commit, because any Lions turnover could see the starlet put on the back foot through several accomplished place kickers in the visiting back line.
2. Rynhardt Elstadt vs. Jaco Kriel
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Johan Ackermann was overjoyed in midweek to learn that star flanker Jaco Kriel would be fit to face off in this weekend's final, recovering from a hamstring strain to take his place in the Lions' starting XV.
With nine scores to his name, the 25-year-old is on target to finish as the top try scorer of the 2014 contest, and Rynhardt Elstadt has a task in restraining the back-rower, who is enjoying a dominant vein of form in recent months.
Sponsor Energade broke down Kriel's contest by the numbers:
"Jaco Kriel tops 3 key Currie Cup stats: Tries: 9, Clean breaks: 13, Defenders Beaten: 16 ... Impressive! All his stats on our FB page later
— Energade (@EnergadeSA) October 21, 2014"
Kriel has been so impressive that what were once murmurs, suggesting a place in South Africa's autumn squad lies ahead, have now turned into veritable chants.
While the blindside's attacking prowess of late has been impressive, Elstadt will look to win the unseen battles, the scraps closer to ground level in ensuring Western province retain possession at the breakdown.
Elstadt may not be the same imposing figure as his opposite No. 6 when it comes to matters concerning ball in hand, but the concentration on Kriel's offensive quality could unearth some chance to win a potentially more decisive struggle elsewhere.
3. Juan De Jongh vs. Lionel Mapoe
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No Western Province player has scored more tries in this year's Currie Cup than Juan de Jongh, and he stands to increase his tally of six on Saturday unless Lionel Mapoe can stand up to the midfield barrage coming his way.
That being said, Mapoe's season has been of different priorities, and he'll be more concerned with creating space for the Lions' weapons out wide, just as he has done all term.
Depending on the possession stakes, De Jongh stands to have a host of opportunities in breaking the Lions' line, and Mapoe has a fierce examination on his hands unless the visiting pack can secure drawn-out phases of play.
Fortunately for Mapoe, he has Howard Minsi on his inside shoulder, the centre partner who perhaps promises to add more unpredictability with ball in hand.
Should things go to plan for Mapoe, Minsi can be one whom the Lions' outside centre will hope can provide a platform of success through the middle.
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4. Seabelo Senatla vs. Ruan Combrinck
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The 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow showcased precisely what it is Seabelo Senatla brings to the table in terms of quick transitioning up the pitch.
His head-to-head with Ruan Combrinck promises to be a stellar one, with the Lions winger bringing a total of 103 points into the final from this year's tournament.
Combrinck has scored six tries to go along with his 20 conversions and 11 penalties, but Senatla's focus will be purely on the running game, evading the grasp of his opposite man in a bid to punish any shortcomings in Combrinck's armour.
Senatla's addition of pace to the Western Province flank gives him a distinct attribute which must be accounted for by his opponent, but Combrinck is by some margin the more tactical and pragmatic of the two.
5. Demetri Catrakilis vs. Marnitz Boshoff
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The Bulls' Jacques-Louis Potgieter currently stands as the top points scorer in the 2014 Currie Cup, but second-place Demetri Catrakilis can still finish atop that table should he bag 15 points or more on Saturday.
Standing opposite him, though, is another not short on goal-kicking potential, and Lions conductor Marnitz Boshoff will seek to use his boot in steering the visitors to victory at Newlands.
Boshoff has shown across the Currie Cup and Super Rugby competitions with the Lions just how devastating he can be with ball in hand—or by foot if that makes more sense—but Catrakilis could have more opportunities coming his way.
A large portion of that will depend on the discipline of the packs involved, with both fly-halves likely to take any chances they can get from the tee.
Combrinck's presence takes some of the pressure off Boshoff's shoulders from the tee, and with two such calculated figures at No. 10, the line speed of each team will also be of significance in seeing who cracks first.
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