History favours away team

27 Oct 2011

Keo.co.za looks at the previous Currie Cup final encounters between the Lions and Sharks.

1992
Transvaal 13 Natal 14, Ellis Park, Johannesburg

In the early 1990s, Transvaal and Natal were the growing powers in South African domestic rugby. It was the Natal’s second Currie Cup final in three seasons while it was Transvaals’ second successive one. Both teams dominated the league phase of the competition, with Natal winning eight and drawing one of their 10 games while Transvaal won six and drew two. Despite Natal topping the log, it was decided that the final would be played at Ellis Park.

Natal had a stronger first half and led 8-3 at the break. The hosts clawed their way within reach of victory in the second stanza with a try through inside centre Heinrich Fuls and the boot of fullback Theo van Rensburg. However, Van Rensburg missed a late penalty in a kickable position. It would’ve given his team the win as Natal held on for a one-point triumph.

Natal – Try: Gary Teichmann, Penalties: Hugh Reece-Edwards (3)
Transvaal – Try: Heinrich Fuls. Conversion: Theo van Rensburg. Penalties: Van Rensburg (2).

Natal – 15 Hugh Reece-Edwards, 14 Cabous van der Westhuizen, 13 Dick Muir, 12 Pieter Müller, 11 Tony Watson, 10 Henry Honiball, 9 Robert du Preez, 8 Gary Teichmann, 7 Andrew Blakeway, 6 Wahl Bartmann (c), 5 Steve Atherton, 4 Shaun Platford, 3 Lood Müller, 2 John Allan, 1 Gerard Harding.
Subs: 16 André Joubert, 17 Kevin Putt, 18 Neil Hartley, 19 Ray Bright.

Transvaal – 15 Theo van Rensburg, 14 Pieter Hendriks, 13 Jeremy Thomson, 12 Heinrich Fuls, 11 James Small, 10 Hennie le Roux, 9 Garth Wright., 8 Jannie Breedt (c), 7 Ian Macdonald, 6 François Pienaar, 5 Lappies Labuschagne, 4 Kobus Wiese, 3 Balie Swart, 2 Harry Roberts, 1 Heinrich Rodgers.
Subs: 16 John Mitchell, 17 Pieter Durandt, 18 Deon Lötter, 19 Chris Dirks.

1993
Natal 15, Transvaal 21, Kings Park, Durban

It was a repeat of the 1992 final, this time played at Natal’s home ground. The hosts dominated the league phase of the competition, only losing one of their 10 games while Transvaal also showed good form with eight victories.

Flyhalf Joel Stransky was picked ahead of Henry Honiball for the final, and it looked like the right selection as the former kicked the hosts into a 9-3 lead at half-time. But just like in the 1992 final, Transvaal delivered a strong performance in the second stanza – and this time they finished the job to claim their first domestic title in 21 years. Fullback Gavin Johnson and hooker Uli Schmidt dotted down while Johnson proved handy with the boot as he added eight points from the tee.

Transvaal’s Currie Cup title was their third trophy of the year, as they also won the Super 10 and the Lion Cup competitions.

Natal – Penalties: Joel Stransky (5)
Transvaal – Tries: Gavin Johnson, Uli Schmidt. Conversion: Johnson. Penalties: Johnson (3).

Natal – 15 André Joubert, 14 Cabous van der Westhuizen, 13 Dick Muir, 12 Pieter Müller, 11 James Small, 10 Joel Stransky, 9 Kevin Putt, 8 Gary Teichmann, 7 Andrew Blakeway, 6 Wahl Bartmann (c), 5 Steve Atherton, 4 Mark Andrews, 3 Lood Müller, 2 John Allen, 1 Guy Kebble.
Replacements: 16 Henry Tromp, 17 John Plumtree, 18 Grant Bashford, 19 Henry Honiball.

Transvaal – 15 Gavin Johnson, 14 Pieter Hendriks, 13 Bernard Fourie, 12 Japie Mulder, 11 Chris Dirks, 10 Hennie le Roux, 9 Johan Roux, 8 Rudolph Straeuli, 7 Ian Macdonald, 6 François Pienaar (c), 5 Hannes Strydom, 4 Kobus Wiese, 3 Balie Swart, 2 Uli Schmidt, 1 Heinrich Rodgers.
Replacements: 16 Harry Roberts, 17 Deon Lötter, 18 Kobus van Deventer, 19 Porta Hoffman.

1996
Transvaal 15 Natal 33, Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Natal were in perfect form, winning all 12 of their league games before cruising through the play-offs as they beat South Eastern Transvaal 51-3 and Free State 35-20 en route to the final. Transvaal won nine and drew two of their 12 league games and went on to beat WP 56-22 and Northern Transvaal 31-21 to earn their place in the title decider.

It was a close encounter in the first half as Natal edged the hosts 10-9 at the break. Outside centre Jeremy Thomson scored the only try of the opening 40 while fullback Gavin Lawless kept the hosts within touch via the boot. Fullback Andre Joubert then sealed the win for the Sharks as he grabbed a second-half brace.

It was Natal’s second successive Currie Cup title as they beat WP 25-17 in the previous year. However, this would also be the start of their 12-year Currie Cup silverware drought.

Transvaal – Penalties: Gavin Lawless (5).
Natal – Tries: Jeremy Thomson, André Joubert (2). Conversions: Henry Honiball (3). Penalties: Honiball (4).

Transvaal – 15 Gavin Lawless, 14 Jannie van der Walt, 13 Japie Mulder, 12 Joe Gillingham, 11 Gavin Johnson, 10 Hennie le Roux, 9 Johan Roux, 8 Rudolph Straeuli, 7 Ian Macdonald, 6 Francois Pienaar (c), 5 Hannes Strydom, 4 Kobus Wiese, 3 Kapstok van Greunen, 2 James Dalton, 1 Ian Hattingh.
Subs: 16 Chris Rossouw.

Natal – 15 André Joubert, 14 James Small, 13 Jeremy Thomson, 12 Dick Muir, 11 Joos Joubert, 10 Henry Honiball, 9 Kevin Putt, 8 Gary Teichmann (c), 7 Wickus van Heerden, 6 Wayne Fyvie, 5 Steve Atherton, 4 Mark Andrews, 3 Adrian Garvey, 2 Federico Mendez, 1 Robbie Kempson.
Subs: 16 John Allan, 17 John Plumtree.

1999

Natal Sharks 9 Golden Lions 32, Kings Park, Durban

Both teams found themselves at the top of the table with 54 log points. Although the Lions won more games, Natal recorded more bonus points. Both teams went on to win their semi-finals convincingly as the Lions beat SWD 81-21 while the Sharks thumped the Free State Cheetahs 45-8.

It was a World Cup year, and Natal lost eight of their players to the Springbok squad. The Lions only lost André Vos, so they had settled combinations for the trip to Durban. And it showed in the match as the visitors dominated to record the highest final scoreline between the two unions. The Lions converted a 7-6 half-time score into a 23-point win as No 8 AJ Venter, wings Thinus Delport (2) and Chester Williams, and hooker Leon Boshoff crossed the chalk.

Natal Sharks – Penalties: Clinton van Rensburg (3)
Golden Lions – Tries: AJ Venter, Thinus Delport (2), Chester Williams, Leon Boshoff. Conversions: Kobus Engelbrecht (2). Penalty: Engelbrecht.

Natal Sharks – 15 André Joubert, 14 Shaun Payne, 13 Trevor Halstead, 12 Joe Gillingham, 11 Justin Swart, 10 Clinton van Rensburg, 9 Hentie Martens, 8 Gary Teichmann (c), 7 Wayne Fyvie, 6 Charl van Rensburg, 5 Steve Atherton, 4 John Slade, 3 Brent Moyle, 2 Mornay Visser, 1 John Smit.
Subs: 16 Ettienne Fynn, 17 Nico Wegner, 18 Warren Britz, 19 Craig Davidson.

Golden Lions – 15 Kobus Engelbrecht, 14 Chester Williams, 13 Jannie van der Walt, 12 Wickus Venter, 11 Thinus Delport, 10 Hennie le Roux, 9 Brett Johnstone, 8 AJ Venter, 7 Walter Minnaar, 6 Jannes Labuschagne, 5 Hannes Strydom (c), 4 Bruce Thorne, 3 Willie Meyer, 2 Leon Boshoff, 1 Marius Mostert.
Subs: 16 Nick Moore, 17 Eric van der Merwe, 18 Mac Masina.


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Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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