The Peacock Blues weathered a late onslaught from the visitors from Bloemfontein to clinch a thrilling semi-final at the Suzuki Stadium by the narrowest of margins.

The Griquas crossed the whitewash five times in their clash against the Cheetahs to set up a mouth-watering final against the Pumas in Mbombela next week.

Janco Uys. Photo: Morgan Piek

In a tense closing passage, the Cheetahs launched a furious attack, stringing together nearly 20 phases in a desperate attempt to snatch the win. However, their hopes were dashed when referee Dylen November ruled the ball held up over the tryline – another contentious moment in this year’s SA Cup. But the Free Staters were ultimately the architects of their own downfall, with three players sent to the sin bin earlier in the match. In addition, two missed conversions also left four points on the park.

The visitors started strongly, racing to a 12–3 lead after tries from Gideon van der Merwe and captain Chucky van der Westhuizen. But the Griquas hit back hard. The hosts scored three tries in the first half, including a spectacular finish in the corner by former Springbok Sevens speedster Gurswin Wehr.

The Cheetahs showed their mettle with tries from centre Ali Mgijima and winger Michael Annies, who scored right on the stroke of half-time to level the scores at 24–24 at the break.

Early in the second half, winger Prince Nkabinde finished off a well-worked move to put the Cheetahs back in front. But Griquas captain George Whitehead converted a Cameron Hufke try soon after to level things once again.

Robert Hunt. Photo: Morgan Piek

What followed was a proper arm-wrestle. The Cheetahs’ eighth man, Jeandré Rudolph, was shown a yellow card in the second half, adding to earlier cards for Van der Merwe and former Griquas captain Pieter Jansen van Vuren.

Wehr completed his brace before Annies responded in kind with his second try to make it all square yet again.

In the end, it was a late penalty by Whitehead that sealed the deal for the Griquas – but only after a massive defensive effort in the final minutes to hold off wave after wave of Cheetahs pressure.

Zane Bester, Carel-Jan Coetzee, and Cameron Hufke. Photo: Morgan Piek

After the match, Griquas coach Pieter Bergh told OFM Sport the difference came down to defence.

“I think we showed a different side today – against Boland, we had to score tries; against the Pumas away, we needed to score tries; even last week against the Cheetahs, we had to score to win,” said Bergh.

“But this week, we knew we’d have to defend. The chat all week was that tries get you into playoff matches, but defence wins you playoff matches – tries won’t win you tournaments. They help you get to the final, but it’s defence that wins you silverware.”

Marco de Witt, Raegan Oranje, and Prince Nkabinde. Photo: Morgan Piek

“The guys showed real character. Over the 80 minutes, I wouldn’t say our defence was great – both teams attacked really well – but when it mattered most, the boys fronted up. That last stand, nearly 20 phases, they defended with everything they had.”

The SA Cup final between the Pumas and the Griquas kicks off at 15:00 on Saturday at the Mbombela Stadium. 

Scorers:

Griquas: Tries – Janco Uys 2, Gurswin Wehr 2, Cameron Hufke Conv. – George Whitehead 5 Pen. – Whitehead 2

Cheetahs: Tries – Gideon van der Merwe, Chucky van der Westhuizen, Ali Mgijima, Michael Annies 2, Prince Nkabinde Conv. – Tiaan Swanepoel 3, Cohen Jasper

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg