Anticipated Outcome for Currie Cup Final: Lions versus Sharks
Fixture of the Season: Lions vs Sharks in Currie Cup Final On Saturday evening, the battle royale unfolds at Ellis Park as the top-of-the-table Lions face off against the unstoppable eight-match winning streak Sharks in the Currie Cup final (16:00 kick-off). Bets on the Match
After an intense season, we've narrowed it down to these two titans. The Lions, who dominated the regular season, take on the only team to best them this year—the Sharks. That victory, a 35-22 triumph back in July, happened at Ellis Park, making the Durban side confident they can repeat their success away from home.
The Lions' nail-biting 43-34 victory over the defending champions Cheetahs last week was a testament to their tremendous development this season. Starting down by 14 points early on, they remained unfazed and followed their game plan to claw their way back, with their bench providing the final push.
Finals rugby can often become a game of percentages, but the Lions aren't ones to back down from their attack-minded approach. Although they'll focus on tightening their defense to avoid a high-scoring try-fest like the semifinals, they've been stalwarts all season, conceding the fewest tries at 31 against the Sharks' 35.
The Lions lead the pack with 437 points and 62 tries, with the Bulls in second place at 384 points and 54 tries. Meanwhile, the Sharks have scored 351 points and 48 tries, putting them fourth – behind the Cheetahs (352 points and 50 tries).
The Lions excel in both attack and defense, with prolific players like JC Pretorius, Jarod Cairns, Darrien-Lane Landsberg, and Marius Louw at the breakdown, an efficient lineout, and a reliable scrum (despite its vulnerability being a target for the Sharks).
The Sharks, last lifting the Currie Cup in 2018, displayed remarkable resilience in their thrilling 100-minute battle against the Bulls last week. They proved they can keep up offensively, despite being a tactically focused outfit, while their defense was heroic, allowing only four tries compared to the Lions' six in an equally high-scoring game.
Despite their depth and impressive paper strength, the Sharks could be running on empty after their taxing war of attrition in the highly demanding clash they faced last week. The Lions, while equally emotionally draining, are expected to outlast them and bring the Currie Cup back to Johannesburg for the first time since 2015.
*Prediction:* Lions by 3.
*Suggested Bet:* Sharks +3.5 at 1.78.
Top Picks: Currie Cup
Currie Cup Tips: Rugby BettingExpert's Advice: LionsCurious about the Lions' and Sharks' defensive performance in the 2024 Currie Cup season? It's best to consult specific Currie Cup 2024 season statistics or match reports from reliable rugby data sources for a detailed comparison.
Editor's Note: Quintin Van Jaarsveld is a celebrated sports journalist with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He won the MDDA-Sanlam SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year award and was a three-time Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Sports Journalist of the Year. His career includes stints as sports editor, Outstanding Journalist award winner, deputy editor, and senior staff writer at various publications.
- The high-stakes rugby match between Lions and Sharks in the Currie Cup final presents a thrilling opportunity for sports predictions, given their impressive performances throughout the season.
- Considering the Lions' strong defense, which conceded the fewest tries during the regular season, and their attack-minded approach, they are a strong contender in the Currie Cup final, even with a +3 handicap against the Sharks.
- Despite the exhausting semi-finals, the Lions, with their depth and defensive prowess, are expected to outlast the Sharks and secure a 3-point victory in the Currie Cup final.
