Lions’ Tapiwa Mafura sets sights on historic third Currie Cup title

Mafura is looking to become the first player to win the Currie Cup with three different clubs, having already won it with the Pumas and the Cheetahs.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Mafura says, despite his experience in this competition, a different approach will be needed against a stubborn KZN franchise.

"Definitely, it is something that's helped me this season and I think just being in the Currie Cup final these past two years has helped me so much. The composure that comes with having played in it, helps a lot, just helping the guys, some of them it's their first time so they are leaning on my experience, how I've handled it in the past and obviously it's a different game, different opponents and a different team for me,” Mafura said.

“It feels like it's my first time as well but I know I've got experience in these types of situations so I'll be looking to lead in it."

READ: Sharks name team to face Lions in Currie Cup final

The 28-year-old was instrumental in his team’s 43-34 win over his former club the Free State Cheetahs in the semi-final last weekend, as he reflects back.

"It was great, it's always a game that I feel like I had something to prove and I always wanna show them that they shouldn't have let me go but it's bigger than me and obviously, it was a tight game as you saw, just credit to the guys for coming back and making sure we got that win," he added.

Meanwhile, Lions fly-half Kade Wolhunter added that playing in the Currie Cup final will be a great opportunity to break the Sharks momentum this season.

"I think we need to stop their momentum, that's the biggest thing. I think it's the biggest thing in rugby in general, it's just stopping the other teams' momentum not giving them that moment. Like you said they got the better of us in the second game against them, we know where we went wrong, we know what our errors were. So, we are gonna rectify that and not do the same on Saturday, be better,"Wolhunter said.