CURRIE CUP CRUNCH

WORDS: ALBERT HEENOP

In terms of important Currie Cup encounters, they hardly come bigger than today’s tussle between the Cell C Sharks and defending champions, the Pumas. Even though the domestic showpiece hasn’t reached the halfway stage yet, it is pretty much a must-win occasion for the home team…

The Pumas arrive at Hollywoodbets Kings Park tonight as not only the defending Currie Cup champions, but also as the current log leaders and only unbeaten side in 2023 edition of the 131-year-old competition.

The Mbombela-based outfit underlined their intent in no uncertain terms last Friday, when they walloped the Cheetahs 61-21 in Bloemfontein to consolidate their top-of-the-table status. They have now won their first four Currie Cup games on the trot, while it was the Cheetahs’ first defeat of the season.

The Cell C Sharks suffered their second loss of the season in Johannesburg on Saturday, going down 22-34 to the Lions in a titanic tussle on the Highveld.

The Cell C Sharks were leading 12-5 at the break, having outscored their hosts by two tries to one in the opening spell.

At the end of the day, however, Joey Mongalo’s charges let themselves down through some indiscipline - they conceded a costly yellow card shortly after the break - and several missed opportunities at goal, which ultimately denied them of what could have proven to be an invaluable away win. Back at home today, the Cell C Sharks will be backing themselves for another much improved effort, against the defending champions.

The Durbanites have to date won all their matches in The Shark Tank, against the Griffons during the opening round of this year’s Currie Cup competition and, then, a fortnight ago against Western Province.

The Capetonians were also undefeated when they arrived in Durban, but the Cell C Sharks produced a highly committed performance to emerge with a crucial but well-deserved 20-7 win against WP in a highly entertaining encounter at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.

Murray Koster and co will no doubt be fizzing to replicate that type of hometown display tonight against the Pumas.

As things currently stand, the Cell C Sharks are placed fourth on the Currie Cup Premier Division table, nine championship points adrift of the top-of-the-log Pumas, but only three and five points behind the Lions and Cheetahs respectively, who are in third and second spot.

Back

The importance of winning at home tonight therefore goes without saying for the Cell C Sharks.

The boys remain at home next week, hosting the beleaguered Bulls, before heading back upcountry for what promises to be a tough away assignment against the Cheetahs at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.

The Cell C Sharks will return to Hollywoodbets Kings Park at the end of the month, for their return encounter with Griquas.

But, for now, this is indeed the biggest Currie Cup game of the season to date for the Cell C Sharks, and one in which they are aiming to exhibit the creativity and fighting spirit that have become the hallmark of the men in black down the years.