Winning Currie Cup lifelong dream for Marais

Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais is not a selfish individual but winning the Currie Cup is something very close to him. As a born-and-bred Pretoria man, the Currie Cup holds a special place in his heart and the missing trophy forms part of his coaching mission. However, for the Bulls to win their first Currie Cup since 2009, they need to vanquish the Free State Cheetahs. Tomorrow's final takes place at the Free State Stadium, with the kickoff at 4pm. In the process, the Bulls will also have to spoil the 40th anniversary celebrations of the Cheetahs side that won the province’s very first Currie Cup title. But with the Cheetahs playing at home in Bloemfontein, they are probably the favourites to clinch the final. “Heyneke Meyer once asked me about my aims as a coach and I told him I wanted to win the Carlton Cup, the Varsity Cup, Currie Cup and Super Rugby,” Marais said. “I’ve won the Carlton Cup, three U21 titles, the Varsity Cup – and the Currie Cup is the one that I want to win. “I’ve grown up in Pretoria and the Currie Cup is the big one for us. “I’m looking forward to the final. Even though I wanted it to be in Pretoria, we’ll have to win it in Bloem – but only the players can make that happen,” the coach said.