Griquas high on confidence but wary ahead of Currie Cup kick-off

IT’S THAT time of the year again when South African rugby fans are gearing up for a bumper-packed season of action.

The Currie Cup is here, and Suzuki Griquas have taken the knocks and disappointments of last season and have set their sights firmly on bringing the prestigious trophy home to Suzuki Park.

Fresh off their triumphant SA Cup campaign, where they convincingly defeated the Pumas 46-24 at their Suzuki Park fortress, Griquas are brimming with confidence.

However, that victory and title, as impressive as it was, is now a part of their storied past, and all eyes are on the looming Currie Cup competition and the trophy waiting to be claimed by the best team.

During a recent press conference, Pieter Bergh, head coach of the Griquas, emphasised the importance of the Currie Cup. “The Currie Cup is our biggest competition, and it’s the one we dream of winning. We’ve been working hard towards this moment since July or August last year, going into the Airlink Cup.

“We used the time to build squad depth, do well in the SA Cup, and build confidence going into the Currie Cup. We were unbeaten in the Airlink Cup and unbeaten in the SA Cup, so we could not have asked for better preparation leading into the Currie Cup,” added Bergh.

The coach acknowledged the challenges that lie ahead, noting that the Currie Cup is a much tougher competition, with the bigger unions expected to bring their strongest performances.

“It will be important for us to start well. We are starting with two home games, the first one being against the Pumas, and we are ending with two home games, so we need to start the season well,” he stated.

Bergh also highlighted the team’s strategic focus areas.

“Our defence will need to be up there; we know we have the attack to hurt teams; we have X-factor players to hurt teams as well as good goal kickers, so we know we can score points. We will need to focus on not conceding points against us in this competition.

“We are happy with our set piece, and our scrumming is looking good, but we will need to look at our penalty count and discipline,” Bergh concluded.

As the Griquas prepare to kick off their Currie Cup campaign, the excitement is palpable. With the right mix of preparation, strategy, and determination, they are poised to make a strong bid for the trophy.

Rugby fans, get ready for an exhilarating season as the Griquas aim to etch their name in Currie Cup history.

SUZUKI GRIQUAS XV (15-1): Cameron Hufke, Marqiewn Titus, Sango Xamlashe, Mnombo Zwelendaba, Sako Makata, George Whitehead, Thomas Bursey, Hanru Sirgel, Marco de Witt, Stephan Smit, Albert Liebenberg, Dylan Sjoblom, Janu Botha, Janco Uys, Leon Lyons. Bench (16-23): Gustav du Rand, Eddie Davids, Cebo Dlamini, Athenkosi Khetani, Carl Els, Bobby Alexander, Lubabalo Dobela, Tertius Kruger