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Sharks claim Currie Cup final revenge over Western Province
By Ben Spratt
The Sharks clinched the Currie Cup with a 17-12 win over Western Province, avenging their final defeat to the same side 12 months earlier.
On a steamy day in Cape Town, the Sharks produced a clinical display on Saturday to dethrone the champions and win an eighth title.
A tight first half had Western Province 6-0 up at the break, yet the holders played out the full 80 minutes without scoring a single try and that proved their undoing.
The Sharks conversely forged a breakthrough early in the second half through Akker van der Merwe, that crucial score forcing Western Province to go on the offence.
And the Sharks pounced. A speedy counter-attack resulted in an opportunity for Tyler Paul to force the ball over the line, seemingly securing victory nine minutes from time.
A further Western Province penalty - their fourth of the game - from Damian Willemse set up a tense finale, but the Sharks got over the line.
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Musk defends anonymous terrorism, fascism, threats against individuals and children etc etc But a Rugby club account….lock ‘em up!!!
Go to commentsActually the era defining moment came a few years earlier. February 2002 to be precise, when Michael D Higgins as finance minister at the time introduced his sports persons tax relief bill to the dial. As the politicians of the day stated “It seems to be another daft K Club frolic born in Kildare amongst the well-paid professional jockeys with whom the Minister plays golf” and that the scheme represented “a savage uncaring vision of Ireland and one that should be condemned”. The irfu and Leinster would be nowhere near the position they are in today without this key component of the finances.
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