Clash of the titans in JSB Gold Cup final 

FNB Wanderers take on FNB Grootfontein in a clash of the titans in the JSB Gold Cup final at the Hage Geingob National Rugby Stadium tomorrow afternoon. 

Both teams won four of their five matches during the group stages with Grootfontein finishing on top of the log with 25 points to Wanderers’ 23, after collecting more bonus points. 

Grootfontein have been a revelation this season and with their powerful pack and hard-running backline they have developed into a powerful unit. 

They narrowly missed out on a first-ever Premier League final three months ago after losing 32-27 to the eventual champions FNB Kudus in the semifinals, but now they have gone a step further by reaching the JSB Gold Cup final.

Grootfontein have been strengthened by several new recruits this season including the Du Plessis brothers Jahno and Eloff, Lorenzo Louis and Jano Otto, all from United, as well as Franklin Busch from Rehoboth and Ryan Coetzee from Wanderers. 

Their captain Wikus Jacobs has once again been in inspirational form as well as their powerful eighthman Johan Luttig, while others like Lasarus Joseph and Jahzeel Marais amongst the backs and Pieter-Daniel Kok, Nelius Theron and Oliver Mouton amongst the forwards have stepped up with some strong performances. 

Grootfontein, in fact, inflicted Wanderers’ only defeat of the season when they won their encounter 44-36 in Grootfontein on 16 August, scoring seven tries in the process. 

Their only defeat came in their opening match on 2 August when they lost 40-35 away to FNB Unam, but since then they have gone on an unbeaten run, including some impressive victories on the road, beating FNB Kudus 53-33 at Walvis Bay, and FNB Rehoboth Rugby Club 34-27 at Rehoboth. 

Wanderers, meanwhile, have maintained their normal high standards, and have now reached their second final this season. They, however, suffered a surprise 50-32 defeat to an inspired Kudus side that made history by winning the Premier League final for the first time on 7 June, but now have a second chance of adding more silverware to their trophy collection. 

Since the Premier League final they have lost some national stalwarts like Adriaan Booysen who is back in the United States, and Ruan Ludick and Jacques Theron who are injured, while first-choice flyhalf Denzo Bruwer has also been out with a long term injury. 

However, they have a powerful pack where Sheron Rossouw, Edward Drotsky, Herchell van Wyk and the Augustyn brothers, Rainer and Andre, have been impressive, while they have a lot of pace and experience in the backline with players like Danco Burger, Johan Deysel, Danie van der Merwe, Nandi Karuuombe and Tareekuje Tjipute. 

Besides their defeat to Grootfontein, Wanderers beat Rehoboth 43-37, Kudus 50-38, United 29-27 and Unam 34-31, and their coach Dirk Human said they are ready for the final. 

“We are feeling comfortable to play in the final because we’ve been there before, and we know how to approach and play in a final. We analysed how Grootfontein play and we’ve devised a plan to take them on,” he said.

“However, it has to work on the day, but I have faith in my team and we’ve got enough senior players to keep it together. The boys are excited and looking forward to the game,” he added. 

Human added that he was not too concerned about their league defeat to Grootfontein.

“We couldn’t control the setpieces and struggled in the scrums, but we also missed a lot of senior players, so it will be different on Saturday.”

Wanderers will be in three finals tomorrow with their reserve team taking on Kudus II in the JSB Gold Cup reserve league final, and Human said they are looking forward to the match. 

“The guys have a lot of belief, they are very excited and looking forward to the game. But Kudus are the defending Premier League champions and they will have strong support so we are expecting a tough match.”

Wanderers will also take on Unam in the JSB Gold Cup women’s final and that should be a humdinger after their league encounter last weekend ended in a thrilling 19-19 draw. 

The JSB Silver Cup Premier League final will be contested between Dolphins and Reho Falcons, while the JSB Silver Cup Reserve League final will be contested by Dolphins II and Reho Falcon II. 

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