The Griquas are last seasons’ losing finalists and will be looking to go one better this time around.

The Peacock Blues recently concluded their preseason and with two loses the coach Peter Engeldow conceded that it wasn’t all that ideal.

Engeldow told OFM Sport that his charges are ready nonetheless.

“It has been a long preseason and in some ways a lot more challenging than last time around.

“We unfortunately went down in two of our matches but I think that we did learn important lessons. It has been long, especially with the SuperSport Rugby Challenge starting later, but the boys are looking forward to it.”

The side from Kimberley are known for they ability to upset the side from Durban, especially at home, and the Engeldow, added that they expect a tough outing and want to start their campaign on with a bang.

“The Sharks are always difficult, they’ve got a good team and they had a fantastic win over the Pumas and they are going to be tough opponent first up. So, we’re straight into it.

“The advantages will be at home. We love playing at home and it’s difficult to beat us in Kimberley.

“We are super excited. We want to get going and start off with a bang.”

Saturday’s match at Tafel Lager Park kicks off at 15:00. At the same time the Leopards host the Griffons in Schweizer-Reneke and the Toyota Free State XV enjoy a first round bye.

Griquas SuperSport Rugby Challenge squad - AJ Coertzen, AJ Le Roux, Andre Swarts, Christopher Bosch, Christiaan Meyer, Conway Pretorius, Damian Stevens, Devon Martinus, De Wet Kruger, Doctor Booysen, Ederies Arendse, Enver Brandt, Eric Zana, Ewald van der Westhuizen, FP Pelser, George Whitehead, Godfrey Ramaboea, Jeremy Jordaan, Johnathan Francke, Jonathan Janse van Rensburg, Kevin Kaba, Khwezi Mkhafu, Kyle Steyn, Liam Hendricks, Louis Venter, Luxolo Ntsepe, NJ Oosthuizen, Pieter Jansen van Vuren, Pieter Steyn de Wet, Renier Botha, Ruan Kramer, Shaun McDonald, Sias Koen, Sintu Manjezi, Stephan Janse van Rensburg, Tythan Adams, Wandile Putuma, Wendal Wehr, Wilmar Arnoldi.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport