Griquas target third straight win in Currie Cup as Sharks hunt redemption in Kimberley

Suzuki Griquas have picked themselves up in their 2025 Currie Cup campaign after their early wobble against the Airlink Pumas, securing solid wins since then against the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers in Round 2 and DHL Western Province last week.

The Kimberley side’s win over WP was particularly impressive as they outscored their Cape Town visitors by seven tries to three on their way to that commanding 47-17 victory at Suzuki Stadium.

Against the Capetonians, Griquas showed that they could stick to their game plan, handle pressure, and stay disciplined, which bodes well for the rest of the campaign. And they will need these qualities when they come up against a hungry and wounded HollywoodBets Sharks team on Friday. The game kicks off at 3 pm.

The KZN team will be motivated to get their campaign on track after what they would feel is a substandard start to their campaign. The Sharks were trounced 46-5 by the Lions in Round 1, and annihilated 64-0 by the Bulls in a Loftus lashing the next week. 

However, they picked themselves up playing at home in Round 3 against a motivated Cheetahs side at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium last Saturday; though they narrowly lost the game 5-7, they showed courage, determination and a steely resolution that would have alerted Griquas as to their pedigree and capabilities.

So, it goes without saying that rugby fans can expect a real tussle on Friday – the Sharks will have come to play, not to donate points to their hosts.

The Sharks XV’s most recent victory against Griquas was a 40-21 win last August, while Griquas won the last meeting in Kimberley, by 34-31, in July 2025.

Coached by Pieter Bergh, Griquas have shown their usual strong attacking form, scoring a competition-high 18 tries. The Durbanites, however, have struggled to cross the line, with a low tally of just two tries in three games.

It looks to be another tough assignment for Sharks coach JP Pietersen’s young outfit in Kimberley, where hosts are notoriously difficult to beat.

Pietersen, buoyed by his team’s brave effort against the Cheetahs last weekend, has stuck with his young blood and has handed Junior Springbok heavyweight Bathobele Hlekani his first start this season.

The 20-year-old will be playing in his familiar role at flank. Another change in the pack sees Bryce Calvert returning at hooker for Jacques Marais. 

Meanwhile, for the Sharks, SA Sevens star, Commonwealth gold medalist and Olympic bronze medalist Christie Grobbelaar, will be replacing last week’s Player of the Match, Phikolomzi “PK” Sobahle, on the wing. So even the armchair tactician will realise that Griquas will need to be on point with their defense.

Friday’s clash at the Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley kicks off at 3pm.

Teams

Suzuki Griquas (15-1): Cameron Hufke, Dylan Maart, Zane Bester, Mnombuso Zwelendaba, Gurswin Wehr, George Whitehead, Caleb Abrahams, Gustav Erlank, Carel van der Merwe, Carl Els, Albert Liebenberg, Malembe Mpofu, Cebo Dlamini, Janco Uys, Eddie Davids. Replacements (16-23): Tiaan Lange, Connie Lavagna, IG Prinsloo, Derrick Pretorius, Marco de Witt, Bobby Alexander, Zinedine Robinson, Tom Nel

Hollywoodbets Sharks (15-1): Jaco Williams, Christie Grobbelaar, Diego Appollis, Marnus Potgieter, Pascal Ekeji, Vusi Moyo, Ceano Everson, Nick Hatton, Batho Hlekani, Matt Romeo, Deon Slabbert, Gideon Koegelenberg, Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, Bryce Calvert, Phatu Ganyane. Replacements (16-23): Willem van den Hever, Simphiwe Ngobese, Phiwaynkosi Khubeka, Coetzee le Roux, Jannes Potgieter, Tiaan Fourie, Jean Smith, Hakeem Kunene