Western Province looking to go back-to-back

Western Province will be looking to claim their third Currie Cup crown in four years when they face Golden Lions in Sunday's final.

Reigning champions Western Province are the most successful rugby union club in South African history, having won a total of 33 Currie Cups in their illustrious history.

Sunday's decider in Johannesburg is a rematch of last season's final, after Western Province sealed a 19-16 victory over the Lions in a tense encounter in Cape Town.

Western Province coach John Dobson has named an unchanged line-up from last week's 23-18 semi-final win over Blue Bulls.

Outside centre Johnny Kotze was in doubt after a knock to his knee, but Dobson confirmed he was fit to play in his first-ever Currie Cup final, along with six others.

"We have a massive task ahead of us on Saturday, so it was good to retain this kind of [selection] continuity ahead of the final," Dobson told the WP Rugby website.

"The Lions deserve to be hosting this weekend's final. They're unbeaten and have been consistently brilliant throughout the season, so we are certainly up against it."

Dobson is right to be slightly nervous, with the Lions undefeated in all 11 games so far this season.

The Lions finished top of the Premier Division before disposing of Free State Cheetahs 43-33 in the semi's to earn the right to host the 2015 Currie Cup final.

If the Lions defeat Western Province they will become the first side since Natal Sharks in 1996 to go an entire season undefeated.

Lions coach, former Springbok Johan Ackermann, said he just wanted his players to enjoy the final.

"The players know you only get the one opportunity and if you make a mistake it can cost you points or even the match so there is that added pressure," Ackermann said.

"The 22 guys need to stay in the moment and focus on the job they need to do and don"t do something different.

"The players know they have this opportunity and they must enjoy it ... to be in the final is a privilege and we are thankful to the supporters."

Ackermann has made three changes to the side that defeated the Cheetahs in the semi-final, with the selection of Kwagga Smith the biggest surprise.

Regular outside centre Stokkies Hanekom, along with Malcom Marx, have been dropped to the bench in place of Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Robbie Coetzee.