Rivalry reloaded: Battle lines drawn for SA Cup derby in Kimberley

THERE’S a humorous anecdote that has been doing the rounds for decades. Though it hasn’t been proven to be either true or false, the story, nonetheless, is entertaining.

It’s told that during World War II, the Germans constructed a decoy airfield made of wood in occupied Holland to deceive Allied reconnaissance, but the construction took so long and was so meticulous that the Allies caught wind of the ruse. 

In response, Allied forces waited patiently for the last plank to be nailed in place before a lone bomber allegedly approached, circled the fake airfield and dropped a single wooden bomb, in what seems to be a cutting act of wartime sarcasm.

Where am I going with this?

Well, war is war, and the Suzuki Griquas will find themselves deep in battle on Saturday, May 10, at 3pm, when their Central Region neighbours, the Toyota Cheetahs, swoop on Suzuki Stadium for the final league clash of the SA Cup.

A matter of pride

Both Griquas and their neighbours have qualified for the play-offs, but the rivalry between the Peacock Blues and the Orange Ouens has always been a matter of immense pride, so Saturday’s derby will not be a case of swinging handbags at each other from 10 paces … these boys are going to get stuck in from the kick-off, you can count on it!

No matter the outcome, Griquas are expected to cling to second place on the log, with the Cheetahs set for third – meaning Saturday’s clash is a fiery dress rehearsal for a semi-final rematch next week. Expect fireworks and no quarter given.

The Cheetahs, meanwhile, have been quietly fortifying their ranks. Dynamic flanker Gideon van der Merwe – one of their fiercest warriors at the breakdown – is finally back after almost six months sidelined by a fractured ankle.

Now cleared for battle, Van der Merwe is itching to make his presence felt where it counts most.

Griquas should also note that he’s not the only reinforcement bolstering the Vrystaaters either. 

Last week, outside back James Verity-Amm marked his comeback after more than a year out by scoring a hat-trick of tries and kicking six conversions in the Cheetahs’ 106–7 demolition of the Border Bulldogs. Hard-running centre Carel-Jan Coetzee also returned from injury and got himself on the scoresheet.

Here’s the kicker: Van der Merwe and Verity-Amm know the Peacock Blues inside and out, having both worn Griquas colours earlier in their careers. Armed with inside knowledge and some serious firepower, the Cheetahs won’t just be bringing muscle to Kimberley – they'll be bringing espionage.

Still, for all the planning, reinforcements and old intel, Griquas supporters can rest easy on one point: their side won’t be easily rattled or hoodwinked.

The Peacock Blues have their own battle plan, their own systems – and when it matters most, they'll have their own bomber loaded with exactly the right ordnance for the mission.

Classic Clashes

But before the senior warriors of the Cheetahs and Griquas clash on the battlefield, a new generation of soldiers will be testing their mettle. The annual FNB Classic Clashes between Diamantveld High School and Northern Cape High School — a rivalry now 19 years strong — will light up the morning at Suzuki Stadium with a series of curtain-raisers sure to set the tone for a day of fierce competition.

The matches kick off at 9:30am – Under-14 (B-field) and Under-16 teams face off. At 10:30am the Under-15s take the stage (B Field). Then at 10:50am, the Under-19 B teams battle it out, before the big boys take the field at 12:40pm when the Under-19 A teams collide in the headline Classic Clash.

There’s plenty of unfinished business between these two proud rugby nurseries. In 2023, NCH’s Under-19s edged DHS 18-17 in a heart-stopping affair. But last year DHS stormed back — hammering out a record 71-7 victory, scoring 11 tries in a dominant performance.

The younger ranks also fought bravely, with standout victories across the Under-14, Under-15, and Under-16 age groups, showing that DHS had been drilling their troops with care.

This year, expect nothing less than another full-blooded skirmish, as both schools seek to stake their claim before the big guns – Griquas and Cheetahs – take the field at 3pm. And for the students of Sol Plaatje University, there’s even more reason to cheer: entry to all the action is free if you bring along your student card.