Griquas seek redemption as Currie Cup Round 2 kicks off
After a stinging defeat in Nelspruit, the Suzuki Griquas will aim to bounce back against a confident Boland Cavaliers side, as Round 2 of the Currie Cup delivers a full slate of action this weekend.
Image: Danie van der Lith / DFA
THE SUZUKI Griquas will be looking to get their Currie Cup campaign back on track when they host the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers on Sunday afternoon at Suzuki Park in Kimberley.
The men from the Diamond City were handed a tough 49-28 defeat by the Pumas in Nelspruit last Friday, a match where discipline proved costly with three yellow cards undermining their fightback. Despite the scoreline, Griquas showed flashes of promise and will back themselves to rebound against a Boland side they’ve had the measure of in recent SA Cup meetings.
Boland, however, arrive in Kimberley with momentum and belief, having shocked the Toyota Cheetahs 35-32 in Wellington last week. That result marked a triumphant return to the Premier Division for the Cavaliers after nearly a decade away.
Coach Hawies Fourie credited his side’s “heart and composure” after they snatched the win deep into added time, and he’ll expect a similar effort on the road.
With the Cheetahs now licking their wounds, their own Round 2 assignment doesn’t get easier.
Friday night lights: Cheetahs vs Pumas
The opening match of the weekend sees Frans Steyn’s Toyota Cheetahs host the Airlink Pumas in Bloemfontein on Friday evening. After letting a late lead slip against Boland, the Free Staters face a short turnaround and a determined Pumas team that hit the ground running last week.
The Pumas ran in seven tries against Griquas and looked sharp under playmaker Danrich Visagie. While the Cheetahs boast a strong record in this fixture — including a win in last year’s final — the Pumas have beaten them twice already this year in SA Cup action and will sense another opportunity to pounce.
Saturday double-header: Lions vs WP, Bulls vs Sharks
Saturday’s action kicks off at Ellis Park, where a confident Fidelity ADT Lions side hosts DHL Western Province at 3pm. The Lions were ruthless in a 46-5 demolition of the Sharks XV and have now won their last two encounters against Province, home and away.
Province, meanwhile, showed glimpses of potential but were overpowered by the Bulls in Cape Town. With a youthful squad featuring several Blitzboks, they’ll be eager to prove they can match it physically with the Lions.
Later in Pretoria, at 5.10pm, the Vodacom Bulls welcome the HollywoodBets Sharks XV to Loftus Versfeld in a clash that brings back memories of last year’s epic semi-final. But while that match ended in a 40-40 thriller, Saturday’s showdown could be more one-sided.
The Bulls looked well-drilled in their 48-23 win over DHL WP, with their pack laying a solid foundation. In contrast, the Sharks looked shell-shocked in Johannesburg and will need a major turnaround to avoid another heavy defeat.
TV info: All Currie Cup Premier Division matches will be broadcast live on the SuperSport Rugby channel.
Currie Cup round 2 fixturesFriday, 2 AugustCheetahs vs Pumas – 7pm, BloemfonteinSaturday, 3 AugustLions vs Western Province – 3pm, JohannesburgBulls vs Sharks XV – 5.10pm, PretoriaSunday, 4 AugustGriquas vs Boland Cavaliers – 3pm, Kimberley