Griquas eye semi-final spot in Pretoria showdown with under-pressure Bulls

The Suzuki Griquas head into Sunday’s Currie Cup clash with the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria knowing that victory could lock in a place in the semi-finals.

Three straight wins at home – against Boland, Western Province and the Sharks – have fuelled confidence for Pieter Bergh’s side, who will now test themselves on the road at Tuine-Grizzlies Rugby Club.

“It’s an important game … With just three games left, every point and every result counts,” said Bergh.

The coach acknowledged that the setting might be unusual, but not unfamiliar. “We know how important this match is, and we’re actually looking forward to playing away from home. It’ll be something different playing at the Tuine-Grizzlies Rugby Club – a new venue and a new environment. We’ve played on club fields before – against the Cheetahs in Bultfontein, a few months ago in Saldanha, and also in Jacobsdal.

“So, it’s nothing new for us. We’re excited about it. It’s going to be tough, but we want to set the record straight, improve on a few things, and get the win. We’ll need to be at our very best this weekend.”

Kick-off in Pretoria is set for 3pm.

Bulls under pressure after back-to-back defeats

The Bulls, meanwhile, enter the clash under pressure, having lost their last two games – a 41-7 defeat to the Pumas in Pretoria and a 28-20 loss to Boland in Wellington.

Coach Phiwe Nomlomo admitted that the situation is testing the squad. “We’re going to have to see what we look like going into next week in terms of what we have from a medical and contact perspective,” he said.

Despite those setbacks, Nomlomo insisted the team’s mindset remains strong. “Our process is quite strong. It’s not unique where we are, but we’re going to have to rise. Our fate is still in our hands, which is a beautiful place to be.”

Discipline and composure will be key if the Bulls are to respond. “We have the ability to match any team on our day,” said Nomlomo. “But to achieve the results we want, we must be sharper, more clinical, and manage the game better, especially when we’re in attacking positions.”

“The most important thing for us is this weekend. We can’t look past this weekend. We are going to give it our all,” he concluded.

Selection shake-up for Bulls

Injuries have forced 12 changes to the Bulls’ matchday squad, with several young players stepping up.

At hooker, 19-year-old Esethu Mnebelele earns a first Currie Cup start. “He’s very exciting and gets his first start at Currie Cup level,” said Nomlomo.

The forward pack also shifts, with Sintu Manjezi moving to lock, Dylan de Leeuw starting at No.5, and Junior Pokomela promoted into the loose trio. In the backline, SA under-20 wing Cheswill Jooste joins the starting XV.

Veteran Josh Strauss has been drafted onto the bench as the Bulls juggle injuries and Rugby Championship call-ups.

Teams

Vodacom Bulls (15-1): Stravino Jacobs, Cheswill Jooste, Katlego Letebele, Cornel Smit, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Boeta Chamberlain, Zak Burger, JJ Theron, Junior Pokomela, Nama Xaba (captain), Dylan de Leeuw, Sintu Manjezi, Jean Erasmus, Esethu Mnebelele, Ruan Swart. Replacements (16-23): Shaun Schurmann, Simphiwe Matanzima, Bryan le Roux, Josh Strauss, Marco Ferreira, Brooklyn Newman, Liam Koen, PA van Niekerk.

Suzuki Griquas (15-1): Cameron Hufke, Dylan Maart, Zane Bester, Mnombi Zwelenedaba, Gurswin Wehr, George Whitehead, Caleb Abrahams, Carl Els, Marco de Witt, Lourens Oosthuizen, Albert Liebenberg, Derik Pretorius, Janco Uys, Cebo Dlamini (captain), Eddie Davids. Replacements (16-23): Tiaan Lange, Leon Lyons, Ig Prinsloo, Athenkosi Khethani, Phumzile Maqondwana, Thomas Bursey, Tom Nel, Connor Mahoney.