Super 14 history set to be made
EL Police and Kruisfontein United have laid down the marker as the giants of the Eastern Cape Super 14 after both reached a consecutive final.
This will be a repeat of the 2023 final after the Bobbies and the Purple Lions disposed of Despatch Oostelikes and Young Leopards in the semifinals respectively.
The final will take place at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane tomorrow.
Every Super 14 is remembered differently, depending on the vantage point.
The latest edition is a definitive example of solidifying a seemingly tattered event that was destined for doom before a last-ditch rescue.
The journey that started on February 17 is hitting the final stretch, with only two teams still standing.
Police have been like a caterpillar, all segments connected, flowing, strong and confident. They have remarkably gone unbeaten in 15 matches over two years.
They went into the semifinal against rookies Despatch Oostelikes as the overwhelming favourite. Entering the unknown at The Cove, Easterns was always on the backfoot.
The Bobbies did not waste time, and as early as the third minute pounced on a mistake to score a converted try.
Police have always been known to use their forwards to set a platform for their attacks, and judging by the first scrum, it was going to be a long day for Easterns.
Police never really felt threatened in this match, with their superiority clear as daylight.
The best Easterns could do was live off the scraps and Police’s rare mistakes. It was a masterful display by the defending champions, strolling to a commanding 37-11 victory.
In Jeffreys Bay, Kruisfontein United shook off any doubt from their supporters and easily disposed of Young Leopards 3013 to move into another final.
This was after the Purple Lions led 15-3 at halftime.
The Humansdorp-based side was in an unforgiving mood and solidified their status as the best team in EP.
The stage is now set for a repeat of the 2023 final.
Can the Bobbies go back-toback and emulate the wonder years of the Gardens team of 2016-2017 and the dominant
Progress team of 2021-2022, who both achieved this feat.
The bigger task for Kruisfontein is to land the first trophy which eluded them in a painful loss last year.
Kruisfontein is desperate for some kind of silver lining to end a tournament that has been much more enterprising and fulfilling in so many ways, except for winning the overall prize.
Are the Purple Lions able to put the ghosts of last year’s final to bed?
The Bobbies are not in a comfort zone and know it will take a momentous task to win the coveted trophy for a second year running.
It is almost unfathomable to think that this star-laden Bobbies unit cannot go all the way again.
This team have become the symbol of hope and perseverance, becoming the most successful Border team in the Super 14.
But who wants it more? Kruisfontein already face the mental block of playing away.
Rugby history will be made on Saturday, no matter what, with Police having the chance to equal the record for the most Super 14 titles and Kruisfontein snatching their first Super 14 trophy.