Coaches and officials have installed Gardens as overwhelming favourites to beat Kruisfontein United in Saturday’s Score Energy Drink EPRU Grand Challenge Top 12 club rugby final.
This emerged during a poll about whether Gardens had enough firepower to win back-to-back Grand Challenge titles.
The scene is set for an epic final after Gardens beat Progress and Kruisfontein defeated Harlequins in tense semifinal battles on Saturday.
Though Kruisfontein enjoyed limited support in the poll, most said Gardens had momentum on their side after a series of impressive wins.
In the 2023 final at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gardens beat Kruisfontein 28-23 in a thrilling match.
Predictions for the final:
Elroy Ligman (Progress coach): “I think Gardens will have the upper hand in this one.
“The reason is they have been pretty consistent in the past few weeks playing some good rugby including beating Kruisfontein.
“They are finding form at the right time and they will be hoping that consistency carries over to the final.
“So my money is on Gardens.”
Kosie Basson (Progress president): “We had a great semifinal against Gardens last week and I think we were the better team but we did not take our opportunities. Gardens deserved to win.
“The final will be a tough one and I am expecting a nail-biter.
“Gardens are supposed to have momentum because they are on a good winning streak.
“Because they are defending champions it might count in their favour.
“However, I think Kruisfontein will have a bigger hunger for success. But these are all assumptions.
“It will be a cracker of a game because Kruisfontein have never won a competition though they always compete in playoffs and sometimes finals.
“So I think they will be desperate now. It is a tough one to call but I think 5% in Gardens’ favour.
“So I think Gardens will edge them, but Kruisfontein will give everything.”
Neville Brown (Harlequins president): “I would definitely pick Gardens to win.
“Their form in the Top 12 has been very consistent and they handled their semifinal win over Progress very well.
“The spirit in the team is high so I tip Gardens to win the final.
“In the second half of their semifinal against Harlequins, Kruisfontein only scored three points.
“It seems a full 80 minutes game is not for them.
“They start like a bomb in the first half and then they fade away in the second half with nothing really happening.
“In the line-outs, Harlequins we were far better, Kruisfontein have a jumper problem.
“They have very big forwards, but they are too big to last for 80 minutes.”
Deon Jordaan (Harlequins coach): “I am predicting Gardens to win. Their strength lies in their never-say-die attitude.
“When there is a moment of shift in the game, Gardens always find a way to capitalise on that opportunity.”
Mervin Samuels (Despatch Oostelikes coach): “I will go with Kruisfontein, though I am not writing off Gardens.
“Gardens have shown in the past that they have big match temperament when it is needed and they are something else when it comes to playoffs.
“But my money is on Kruisfontein because they have that hunger and belief.
“They have a point to prove to themselves that they can go all the way, especially with last year’s failure in the final.
“So I think Kruisfontein will edge Gardens by three points.”
Hannes Huisamen (Park coach): “I’m thinking Gardens will win the final for a few reasons.
“The first is that Gardens have very good momentum.
“They started off their season slowly, but then built up momentum.
“With their preparation for the Gold Cup, it worked well and their planning was obviously geared to that.
“The timing of the Grand Challenge playoffs helped them.
“Gardens built up a nice squad with good momentum and belief going into the playoffs and momentum helps a lot.
“Kruisfontein started off the season very well in the Grand Challenge.
“With the season being so long they slowly started to lose momentum with their team which is a bit older.
“With miles on the feet, it is difficult.
“So for that reason, Gardens have better momentum.
“They also have the mental advantage over Kruisfontein having beaten them in last year’s final.
“They are the teams that deserve to be in the final and they were the best coached teams that Park played against.
“They both play very good playoff rugby and they are not opportunistic like other teams who just play off turnovers and scrappy ball.
“What a final it promises to be.”
Peter Frans (Brumbies coach): “My prediction is that Gardens will win.
“They just know how to win playoff matches and they have a big match temperament
“What I saw of their semifinal win over Progress, I am tipping Gardens to win the final and become back-to-back champions.”
Nicky van Wyk (Joubertina coach): “I hope and believe for a win for Kruisfontein because they are my homeboys and I am originally from Patensie.
“On the other hand, I hope for a fairy-tale ending for one of Gardens players and that is Claude Jantjies.
“I converted him from inside centre to a No 8 in the Gardens team.”
Kirstin Walsh (Hankey Villagers coach): “The team that dominates set pieces and maintains the highest discipline on the field, particularly concerning yellow and red cards, will likely secure victory.
“I will be remaining neutral due to respect for both teams.
“However, I predict that the winning team will secure victory by a margin of six points.
“I do believe if both teams come and can execute their game plans, it will be a thrilling game, as Kruisfontein is striving for their first cup and Gardens are aiming to defend their title and become back-to-back champions.”
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