Griquas out to make the most of historic Currie Cup semi-final against hungry Cheetahs

The Suzuki Griquas return to semi-final action in their home town for the first time in 27 years, hosting the Toyota Cheetahs in Saturday’s Carling Currie Cup clash. Kick-off at Suzuki Stadium is at 7.15 pm.

This Central Unions derby also doubles as the OFM Challenge Cup and will be played under floodlights for the first time in years, ensuring a charged atmosphere.

Griquas hold the advantage

Griquas finished second on the log to earn hosting rights and will stick to the formula that has served them all season. Coach Pieter Bergh has kept faith with the same starting XV that powered a 40-10 win over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein less than two weeks ago, with just one change on the bench.

They have beaten the Cheetahs four times this year, including back-to-back SA Cup clashes and a Currie Cup warm-up game. Yet skipper Cebo Dlamini warned against complacency, saying past results count for nothing in play-off rugby and emphasised the team’s hard work and determination to perform for the Kimberley crowd.

Cheetahs embrace underdog tag

The Cheetahs, for their part, clinched their semi-final spot with a spirited fightback against the Vodacom Bulls, coming from 35-5 down to earn vital bonus points despite a 35-31 defeat. 

That resilience will be tested again with a shortage of fly-halves. Franco Smith Jr. is sidelined with a concussion, leaving outside backs Clayton Blommetjies and Cohen Jasper as the only options at No.10.

Coach Frans Steyn admitted the team must sharpen up after their heavy loss to Griquas, noting they didn’t start as well as they could in the first 20 minutes. He pointed to narrow defeats in earlier SA Cup meetings, adding that with the bounce of the ball and a bit of luck, fortunes could change.

Winger Prince Nkabinde said the mood in camp is upbeat, saying that the team is excited more than anything to play in the semi-final. He said that the team is out to showcase what they are capable of, play their own brand of rugby, and leave no stone unturned. 

“We’re going to Kimberley as underdogs, but it’s a good challenge for us,” he emphasised.

At stake for both teams is a place in the Currie Cup final — and for the Griquas, the chance to reward their Kimberley faithful with the dream that has been hard to capture.