It’s a Blue Bulls versus Free State Currie Cup final following a stunning upset at Newlands on Saturday evening.
Free State beat Western Province 17-11 in an error-ridden contest in which they were simply the better side at playing in a persistent downpour.
The first sign that things were not going to go according to plan was when the 30% chance of rain actually materialised shortly before kick-off.
Province and Free State played the first half out in heavy showers and it showed as there were many unforced errors by both sides.
Free State nevertheless carried a slender 9-8 lead into the break courtesy of three penalties by flyhalf Willem de Waal. They opened their account as early as the first minute when De Waal struck the ball perfectly from five metres inside his own half.
When WP eventually struck, over 20 minutes later, it was with venom from a turnover. The ball travelled down the line and flank Schalk Burger eventually scored after a vital cutback from right wing Breyton Paulse.
Ironically, this was by some distance the most sublime bit of skill in the game, but the conditions called for grit and patience more than anything else. The Cheetahs ultimately had more options with their powerful forwards and exploited the WP mistakes better.
It did not take the Cheetahs long to muster a reply to the WP try. Province were penalised for joining a ruck from the side and De Waal kept his cool to make it 6-5. He struck another three minutes before the hooter before WP fullback Gaffie du Toit, to the relief of the home crowd, drew WP within a point.
It was the same ugly and frustrating theme in the second half. Province were, however, staggering when a charge down kick ended in Free State centre Jacques Claassens beating Breyton Paulse to the ball in their goal area.
A six-point cushion in the conditions was a big one and WP were chasing the game. They got themselves into scoring positions on a number of occasions, but were thwarted by a combination of a stubborn defence and the weather.
Province nevertheless drew within three points 12 minutes from time when Du Toit struck his second penalty.
But try as they might after that, they could not break down the Cheetahs, who eventually struck the decisive blow with a drop goal by De Waal.
It was a richly deserved victory for the Cheetahs. Province were always going to struggle in the rain as their strength lies in their backs, but they nevertheless contributed to their own downfall as they tried to win via the expansive route when a more measured approach was called for.
Scorers: WP: Try: Flank Schalk Burger. Penalties: Fullback Gaffie du Toit (2). Free State: Try: Centre Jacques Claassens. Penalties: Flyhalf Willem de Waal (3). Drop goal: De Waal.
– Sapa