LISTEN: 'It is personal for the cauliflower club'

However, there appears to be a number of interesting sideshows to the Kings Park encounter – where the Sharks host Western Province.

Top of that list is a head-to-head showdown in what has been termed the cauliflower brotherhood.

Sharks prop and Springbok training squad member Thomas du Toit spoke of the "nervous excitement" ahead of the domestic grand finale and said playing Province is always going to be a special occasion – whether it is a normal game or a Final.

The Cape Town-born and Paarl Boys' High-schooled front row forward said it is always the same when he plays against Province.

"It is not necessary a grudge match, but it is definitely personal," the prop said, adding: "That is the difference for me, getting my mind ready."

Asked about his head-to-head battle with Bok tighthead Wilco Louw, Du Toit said it is friendly off the field, but very personal on match day.

"Scrumming against Wilco is something I have done a few times and it is nice to scrum against a friend," he said.

"We have become very close [friends] through [playing at] SA Under-20 and recently at the Springbok [training] camp.

"However, I have to get him back for the snoring in the room – that is very import for me."

The two have been rivals since their school days – Du Toit at Paarl Boys and Louw at Drostdy.

"I know him from [schools] athletics as well," he said, adding: "I played [rugby] against him a few times.

"Yes, we are friends. You know props stay together – we are the cauliflower brotherhood."

Du Toit said Louw will think that he has the edge in the scrumming battle.

"Credit where credit is due," Du Toit said, adding: "Western Province has a very good pack and Wilco is the anchor there.

"He is probably one of the best scrummagers in South Africa at the moment.

"However, everything will change when we cross the whitewash on Saturday," he said, describing the Final as the 'most important' game of his life.

@rugby365com