Lions and Griquas primed for historic Currie Cup final clash at Ellis Park
The Lions will not have forgotten how the Sharks stole the game with the final kick of last year's Currie Cup final. And they will not want something similar to happen this year.
Image: Backpagepix / File
The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 Carling Currie Cup Premier Division when the Fidelity ADT Lions host Suzuki Griquas in the final at Ellis Park on Saturday.
This will be the second successive year that the Gautengers host the final, as they look to capitalise on home-ground advantage against the determined visitors from the Northern Cape. Referee Christopher Allison will take charge of the 3pm kick-off, with live coverage on SuperSport.
Routes to the final
Both teams earned their places with emphatic semi-final wins. The Lions, who topped the league phase with five wins from seven matches, showcased their firepower in a 67-19 demolition of the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers.
Griquas, who finished second on the log, battled past the Toyota Cheetahs in Kimberley, grinding out a 25-5 win to book their trip to Johannesburg.
When the two sides met in the last round of league action, the Lions romped to a 37-7 victory at Ellis Park to seal top spot — a result that could give them a psychological edge. But the Griquas will be fuelled by the chance to overturn that outcome and write their own history.
Form and momentum
The Lions enter the final with confidence, their only defeats this season coming away to the Cheetahs and Boland. At Ellis Park, they have been dominant, their semi-final win underlining their attacking potency.
The Griquas, meanwhile, had strung together five successive wins before that heavy league defeat to the Lions. Their semi-final triumph over the Cheetahs showed their ability to regroup and deliver under pressure.
History at stake
The Lions carry a rich pedigree into this final. They have lifted the Currie Cup 11 times and shared it once, while finishing runners-up 13 times. Their most recent success came in 2015.
By contrast, Griquas’ last Currie Cup triumph dates back to 1970. They were runners-up in 2022 and are chasing their first title in 55 years. Saturday marks their second final in four seasons, following their loss to the Airlink Pumas three years ago.