Cheetahs eye revenge in Currie Cup final but know Pumas will take some beating

The men from Mpumalanga defeated the favoured Cheetahs 38-35 in an epic semi-final contest last year before going on to clinch the trophy for the first time in their history.

This year, they've shown that victory was no fluke, playing their way into a second straight final after pulling off yet another upset result, this time over the Sharks in Durban.

Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie admits last year's defeat in Bloemfontein took him a long time to get over, and even though they have a chance to put things right this weekend, he knows the job isn't going to be any easier the second time around.

"It took me a long time to get over the loss against the Pumas in the semis last year and only now do I feel I'm over it," Fourie said.

"But, the Pumas will be a big test in the Final.

"They're a dangerous team on attack and can score tries from anywhere.

"They're a physical side and it's difficult to get momentum against them but we've got a score to settle with them."

The Cheetahs have also been on a tear this season, however, a fact underlined by their emphatic 39-10 win over the Bulls last weekend, which saw their veteran captain Ruan Pienaar contributing 22 points.

"Ruan was unbelievable," Fourie said.

"It's quite something that he is able to still play so well at his age of 39.

"He is so committed. He chases after balls, and he doesn't shy away from tackling like others [at his age] might do. He's just so competitive, and that's why he is so good.

"We saw the best of Ruan Pienaar [on Saturday]."

Meanwhile, the Pumas continue to be an incredible success story in South African rugby, punching far above weight despite lacking the financial resources of many of their rivals.

To make a second straight Currie Cup final is a massive achievement, and coach Jimmy Stonehouse couldn't be prouder of his players.

"It is difficult to express my feelings, but I am very proud of this bunch of kids," Stonehouse said after their 26-20 victory over the Sharks in Durban last weekend.

"They are just amazing. Coming in and out and just fighting week after week.

"We don't have the depth to change [players] but we keep on going.

"It is just amazing to see the way they fought."

Saturday's Currie Cup final kicks off at 4pm at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.