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Cape Town - Former Springbok and Golden Lions lock Kobus Wiese believes the hostile Newlands crowd could be the difference in Saturday's Currie Cup final.
Western Province host Wiese's former team in what many expect to be a humdinger.
In an interview with SA Rugbymag, Wiese predicted a very tough match between what he called the two best and most enterprising teams in the competition.
Wiese said the Lions' tight five has the edge over WP, especially after destroying the Sharks in the scrums and on the ground last weekend.
Wiese also highlighted the loose forward battle as key and says the fact that Nizaam Carr will be fit to play should help WP, but he also lauded the Lions loose trio as being "ridiculously good".
However, Wiese felt the hostile home crowd would count in WP's favour.
"With so little between them, I think home-ground advantage will play a vital role. Western Province to nick it," he predicted.
Sharks coach Brad MacLeod-Henderson, whose side lost 50-20 to the Lions in last weekend's semi-final at Ellis Park, also felt the crowd could play a big role.
"I believe WP should start as favourites because they have home ground advantage, but if the Lions can get the upper hand in the first few scrums, then things could get very interesting," MacLeod-Henderson told Beeld.
The last time Western Province and the Lions met in a Currie Cup final was way back in 1986, when the hosts beat the then Transvaal 22-9 at Newlands.
Kick-off for Saturday's clash is scheduled for 17:00.
Western Province host Wiese's former team in what many expect to be a humdinger.
In an interview with SA Rugbymag, Wiese predicted a very tough match between what he called the two best and most enterprising teams in the competition.
Wiese said the Lions' tight five has the edge over WP, especially after destroying the Sharks in the scrums and on the ground last weekend.
Wiese also highlighted the loose forward battle as key and says the fact that Nizaam Carr will be fit to play should help WP, but he also lauded the Lions loose trio as being "ridiculously good".
However, Wiese felt the hostile home crowd would count in WP's favour.
"With so little between them, I think home-ground advantage will play a vital role. Western Province to nick it," he predicted.
Sharks coach Brad MacLeod-Henderson, whose side lost 50-20 to the Lions in last weekend's semi-final at Ellis Park, also felt the crowd could play a big role.
"I believe WP should start as favourites because they have home ground advantage, but if the Lions can get the upper hand in the first few scrums, then things could get very interesting," MacLeod-Henderson told Beeld.
The last time Western Province and the Lions met in a Currie Cup final was way back in 1986, when the hosts beat the then Transvaal 22-9 at Newlands.
Kick-off for Saturday's clash is scheduled for 17:00.
