Adding to the occasion, newly appointed captain Cebo Dlamini will celebrate his leadership role by running out for his 50th match in the Peacock Blues jersey.

In the backline, left-winger Gurswin Wehr is set to make his Currie Cup debut for the Griquas, having previously featured for the Kimberley outfit in the SA Cup.

The former Grey College star Caleb Abrahams will make his official debut after impressing in the warm-up games. The Bulls-loaned scrumhalf has been in top form and will be eager to carry that momentum into the competition.

Caleb Abrahams. Photo: Gallo

In the front row, new hooker Tiaan Lange will also be on debut for the 2022 finalists, while former Pumas lock Malembe Mpofu will start in the second row against his old team.

The colossal former NWU Eagles tighthead prop Ntobeko Shezi will make his Currie Cup debut off the bench.

The last two encounters between these sides in the Lowveld ended in favour of the Pumas – including the SA Cup final – but Griquas head coach Pieter Bergh is adamant that all focus is now on the task at hand.

“It is important that we leave what’s in the past in the past,” Bergh told OFM Sport.

“We’ve obviously reviewed the SA Cup final against the Pumas, looked at where we got things wrong, and identified where we need to improve this week.

“We’ve had six solid weeks of preparation since returning from our SA Cup break. From the outset, our mindset wasn’t just about preparing for the Pumas – it was about being ready for every team in the competition.

Cebo Dlamini (left) will make his captaincy debut and play in his 50th game. Photo: Morgan Piek

“Over the past week, however, the focus has been squarely on the Pumas. We’ve learned from the two defeats in Nelspruit, especially the final, which was a bit of an anti-climax after the red card. Things just didn’t go our way from the start.

“We’ve got strong plans in place, and our preparation has gone really well. The guys are confident, and the inclusion of new players like Malembe Mpofu, who didn’t feature in the SA Cup, brings a fresh energy and excitement to the group, which is always a positive.

“We’re looking forward not only to this match but to the season as a whole. Hopefully, we can get off to a strong start.”

Friday night’s game at the Mbombela Stadium kicks off at 19:00.

Pumas - 15 Tino Swanepoel, 14 Lundi Msenge, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Clinton Swart, 11 Darren Adonis, 10 Danrich Visagie, 9 Ross Braude, 8 Willie Engelbrecht (captain), 7 Kwanda Dimaza, 6 Ntsika Fisante, 5 Jeandré Leonard, 4 Heinz Bertram, 3 Sampie Swiegers, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Etienne Janeke

Replacements - 16 Darnell Osuagwu, 17 Stephan de Jager, 18 Dewald Maritz, 19 JJ Scheepers, 20 André Fouche 21 Russwill Fredericks, 22 Wian van Niekerk, 22 Stephan Coetzee

Griquas - 15 Cameron Hufke, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 12 Tertius Kruger, 11 Gurswin Wehr, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Caleb Abrahams, 8 Gustav Erlank, 7 Carl Els, 6 Jac van der Walt, 5 Albert Liebenberg, 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 Cebo Dlamini (captain), 2 Tiaan Lange, 1 Leon Lyons

Replacements - 16 Gustav du Rand, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Ntobeko Shezi, 19 Derik Pretorius, 20 Marco de Witt, 21 Thomas Bursey, 22 Tylor Sefoor, 23 Connor Mahoney

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg