Suzuki Griquas back on track as SA Cup semi-finals loom

ADMIT it, you were expecting it.

After suffering their first ever defeat in the SA Cup competition since its inception, in a tight battle against the Airlink Pumas in Nelspruit, the Suzuki Griquas showed serious intent by running in eight tries against SWD.

Yes, you guessed it, Griquas reasserted their SA Cup credentials with a dominant 52-5 victory over the Phangela SWD Eagles in George on Friday evening, as they sharpen focus ahead of a crucial final-round clash against the Toyota Cheetahs in Kimberley this coming weekend.

In a demonstration of their potency on attack, each of Griquas’ eight tries were scored by a different player – in a one-sided affair, where flyhalf Tylor Sefoor kept the scoreboard ticking with six successful conversions as the Kimberley side firmly held onto second spot on the standings.

Meanwhile, the Pumas (40 points) remain top of the table, with Griquas (37 points) and the Cheetahs (32 points) also having already secured their semi-final berths. 

However, bragging rights and play-off momentum will be on the line when Griquas host the already-qualified Cheetahs at 2pm on Saturday.

The Cheetahs will be a dangerous prospect as always, and this time they will no doubt arrive in Kimberley brimming with confidence after obliterating Border 106-7 in Bloemfontein, a match where they crossed for a whopping 16 tries. 

Free State backs Prince Nkabinde and James Verity-Amm both bagged braces, while Tiaan Swanepoel and Verity-Amm each slotted six conversions in the rout that left the bulldogs mauled.

At the top of the table, the Pumas kept their perfect record intact with a thrilling 34-32 win over a motivated Sanlam Boland Kavaliers team in Wellington. Their victory ensured top spot, but with a tricky final round fixture away to the Griffons – who are still fighting for the last semi-final place – the team from Mpumalanga will know that nothing can be taken for granted.

Griquas, who lifted the inaugural SA Cup last year, know another strong performance against the Cheetahs will keep them well-positioned heading into the knockout phase, where they will look to defend their title and reassert their Premier Division credentials.