Rugby
Hufke to start for Griquas against defending champions─── MORGAN PIEK 14:56 Thu, 14 Aug 2025
The Suzuki Griquas are aiming for the top of the log when they take on the Sharks in Kimberley on Friday in a crucial fourth-round Currie Cup clash.
The Peacock Blues could move to the summit if they beat the Sharks and other results go their way. In the weekend’s other games, the Pumas will host the Lions over the weekend, while in Bloemfontein, the Toyota Cheetahs face Western Province, and in Wellington, the Boland Cavaliers take on the Bulls.
It’s the Griquas’ last home game of the round-robin stage, and they’ll be targeting another big performance as they hunt a third-straight victory in the competition, following wins against Boland and Province at home.
Cameron Hufke. Photo: Louis Botha/Griquas
The Griquas have made just one change to their starting XV for the weekend, with Cameron Hufke starting at fullback in place of Connor Mahoney. On the bench, Corné Lavagna, Bobby Alexander, and Zinedine Booysen have all been included for game time.
Griquas coach Pieter Bergh told OFM Sport that while they have a favourable record against the Sharks at home and their opponents are winless so far, the defending champions should not be underestimated.
“They showed last week against the Cheetahs, even in different conditions, what we can expect this week,” said Bergh.
“They’ve been improving in their defensive structure and were much better organised. You could see the impact of a few senior players, especially in the wide channels – there was more fight, more energy, and a different attitude overall.
“We’re now into week four. They’ve been together for three games and probably three or four weeks of pre-season preparing for this Currie Cup. So, in total, they’ve been together as a team for seven or eight weeks.
“They should be better, and they will be better this week. We’ve spoken about it as a team. Our mindset and attitude are key. We have to be ready. This is a wonderful opportunity to go to the top.
Cebo Dlamini. Photo: Louis Botha/Griquas
“We’re playing the first game of the weekend, which gives us a great chance to move to the top of the log before the other teams play. That’s our mindset. We have to be at our best and make sure we get the full five points.”
Friday’s crucial game between the Peacock Blues and the Sharks at Suzuki Stadium kicks off at 15:00.
Griquas - 15 Cameron Hufke, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 11 Gurswin Wehr, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Caleb Abrahams, 8 Gustav Erlank, 7 Carel van der Merwe, 6 Carl Els, 5 Albert Liebenberg, 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 Cebo Dlamini (captain), 2 Janco Uys, 1 Eddie Davids
Replacements - 16 Tiaan Lange, 17 Corné Lavagna, 18 Ig Prinsloo, 19 Derik Pretorius, 20 Marco de Wit, 21 Bobby Alexander, 22 Zinedine Robinson, 23 Tom Nel
Sharks - 15 Jaco Williams, 14 Christie Grobbelaar, 13 Diego Apollis, 12 Marnus Potgieter, 11 Paschal Ekeji, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Ceano Everson, 8 Nicholas Hatton (captain), 7 Bathobele Hlekani, 6 Matt Romao, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Bryce Calvert, 1 Phatu Ganyane
Replacements - 16 Willem van den Hever, 17 Simphiwe Ngobese, 18 Phiwayinkosi Kubheka, 19 Coetzee le Roux, 20 Jannes Potgieter, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Hakeem Kunene
