Last year Maartens as well as the fullback, Tapiwa Mafura, won the Currie Cup while still playing for the Pumas when they beat Griquas in Kimberley.

Both players linked up with the Cheetahs this season and they have proven to be invaluable.

Maartens told OFM Sport when he joined the Cheetahs this season the goal was to win back-to-back titles.

“I think that it's a big privilege to be playing in consecutive finals,” said the live-wire ball poacher.

“It was great winning it with the Pumas last year, but now I am at the Cheetahs and the goals are different.

“When I rejoined the Cheetahs, one of the goals was to play in the Currie Cup final and to win it again.

“It is a big privilege for me to be playing in my second final, but the Pumas are strong as a team and we know that they are always contenders.”

Apart from Maartens and Mafura, the only two players in the team to win the Currie Cup with the Cheetahs are Ruan Pienaar and Beertjie van Vuuren. Pienaar lifted the trophy in 2019, while the Lions-bound Van Vuuren won the title in 2016.

Saturday’s big final between the Cheetahs and the Pumas at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 16:00.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport