It’s a must-win match for the Griquas after their disappointing start to the campaign, having gone down 49–28 to the Pumas in Nelspruit last week. The SA Cup champions were clinical at the Mbombela Stadium, securing their third consecutive victory over the Peacock Blues in the Lowveld.

Another new face in the mix is former UCT Ikeys centre Tom Nel, who is also set for his Currie Cup debut after representing the Griquas in the SA Cup earlier this year.

Ig Prinsloo. Photo: Morgan Piek

Prinsloo has been named on the bench as cover at tighthead prop, while Nel will also feature off the bench and offers versatility in the backline, able to slot in at either centre or wing.

Up front, Janco Uys returns to the starting XV at hooker, with Tiaan Lange – who started against the Pumas – rotating to the bench.

In the backline, Zane Bester comes in at centre after Tertius Kruger was ruled out with concussion following a high tackle in the Lowveld. Cameron Hufke moves to the bench, with Connor Mahoney earning a start at fullback.

A dominant scrum is a top priority for the Griquas, and head coach Pieter Bergh is pleased with what he’s seen from Prinsloo so far.

“He joined us from the Leopards after the Currie Cup First Division, so he wasn’t available for selection last week – it was his first week with us,” said Bergh.

“He’s looking really good. He’s in shape, he’s fit, and well-conditioned. He clearly looked after himself while at the Leopards.

“Ig brings a lot of experience – he’s been around. He’s won the Currie Cup with the Pumas and also spent time at the Sharks.

Janco Uys. Photo: Morgan Piek

“We’re looking to him to bring that experience off the bench. As we saw last week – both in our match and in the Boland vs Cheetahs game – the scrum is vital.

“When the Cheetahs brought on their new front row, they completely changed the game. We’re hoping to do the same, and a player like Ig can really make an impact for us off the bench.”

Kick-off at the Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley is at 15:00 on Sunday.

Griquas - 15 Connor Mahoney, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 11 Gurswin Wehr, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Caleb Abrahams, 8 Gustav Erlank, 7 Carl Els, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen, 5 Albert Liebenberg, 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 Cebo Dlamini (captain) 2 Janco Uys, 1 Eddie Davids

Replacements - 16 Tiaan Lange, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Ig Prinsloo, 19 Derik Pretorius, 20 Marco de Witt, 21 Thomas Bursey, 22 Tom Nel, 23 Cameron Hufke

Boland Cavaliers - 15 James Tedder, 14 Marcqiewn Titus, 13 David Brits, 12 Lunathi Nxele, 11 Donavan Don, 10 Ashlon Davids, 9 Chriswill September, 8 Sibusiso Sangweni, 7 Khwezi Mafu, 6 Gift Dlamini, 5 Marlyn Williams (captain), 4 Michael Benadie, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Wayrin Losper

Replacements - 16 HP van Schoor, 17 Lamla Nunu, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Ameer Hendricks, 20 Thurlow Marsh, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Juan Mostert, 23 Xavier Mitchell

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs