Sharks looking to grab eighth Currie Cup title
The Cell C Sharks will want to capitalise on their home ground advantage when they take on Western Province in the 2017 Currie Cup final this weekend.
The match gets underway at Growthpoint Kings Park on Saturday at 4pm.
The Sharks are looking to lift the Currie Cup for the 8th time in their history.
NOW READ: Busy weekend ahead as Durban hosts major events
Coach Robert du Preez announced his team for the final a little earlier.
Du Preez says continuity is key and only made one forced change to the team.
Odwa Ndungane will start on the left wing in place of Sbu Nkosi, who dislocated his elbow in the semi-final victory against the Blue Bulls last week.
The Sharks are looking to lift the Currie Cup for the 8th time in their history.
NOW READ: Busy weekend ahead as Durban hosts major events
Coach Robert du Preez announced his team for the final a little earlier.
Du Preez says continuity is key and only made one forced change to the team.
Odwa Ndungane will start on the left wing in place of Sbu Nkosi, who dislocated his elbow in the semi-final victory against the Blue Bulls last week.
Rhyno Smith has been called up to the bench.
The Sharks produced a stellar performance this year, winning 11 of their 13 fixtures.
In total, the Sharks, and previously competing as Natal, have won the Currie Cup 7 times.
Their first victory came in 1990 when Natal beat Northern Transvaal 18-12 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. Tony Watson earned himself legendary status in KwaZulu-Natal after outpacing the Blue Bulls' defence to score an iconic try in the province's history.
ALSO READ: Sharks urge fans to fill up Kings Park
Craig Jamieson was hoisted onto his teammates' shoulders with trophy in hand in a match that helped cement Natal among the country's rugby heavyweights.
The men in black and white won the trophy three more times that decade (1992, 1995 and 1996) - earning themselves the bragging rights of being the 'Team of the 90s'.
It would be another 12 years though before the Sharks tasted Currie Cup victory again.
They eventually broke their drought in 2008, beating the Blue Bulls 14-9 in Durban.
Two more crowns were earned in 2010 and 2013.
Natal / Sharks Currie Cup titles won and final score:
1990 - 18-12 vs Northern Traansvaal (Loftus Versveld, Pretoria)
1992 - 14-13 vs Transvaal (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
1995 - 25-17 vs Western Province (Kings Park, Durban)
1996 - 33-15 vs Golden Lions (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
2008 - 14-09 vs Blue Bulls (Kings Park, Durban)
2010 - 30-10 vs Western Province (Kings Park, Durban)
2013 - 33-19 vs Western Province (Newlands Stadium, Cape Town)
In total, the Sharks, and previously competing as Natal, have won the Currie Cup 7 times.
Their first victory came in 1990 when Natal beat Northern Transvaal 18-12 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. Tony Watson earned himself legendary status in KwaZulu-Natal after outpacing the Blue Bulls' defence to score an iconic try in the province's history.
ALSO READ: Sharks urge fans to fill up Kings Park
Craig Jamieson was hoisted onto his teammates' shoulders with trophy in hand in a match that helped cement Natal among the country's rugby heavyweights.
The men in black and white won the trophy three more times that decade (1992, 1995 and 1996) - earning themselves the bragging rights of being the 'Team of the 90s'.
It would be another 12 years though before the Sharks tasted Currie Cup victory again.
They eventually broke their drought in 2008, beating the Blue Bulls 14-9 in Durban.
Two more crowns were earned in 2010 and 2013.
Natal / Sharks Currie Cup titles won and final score:
1990 - 18-12 vs Northern Traansvaal (Loftus Versveld, Pretoria)
1992 - 14-13 vs Transvaal (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
1995 - 25-17 vs Western Province (Kings Park, Durban)
1996 - 33-15 vs Golden Lions (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
2008 - 14-09 vs Blue Bulls (Kings Park, Durban)
2010 - 30-10 vs Western Province (Kings Park, Durban)
2013 - 33-19 vs Western Province (Newlands Stadium, Cape Town)
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