The Peacock Blues missed out on finishing top of the log after suffering a heavy 37-7 defeat to the Lions at Ellis Park in a match disrupted by a lightning delay. The Lions were simply too strong, running in five tries to secure a commanding win that also booked them a home semi-final against the Boland Cavaliers on the Highveld.

The Griquas made the perfect start when flanker Lourens Oosthuizen powered over in the fifth minute, with veteran flyhalf George Whitehead adding the conversion for an early 7-0 lead. 

But the Lions hit back through Henco van Wyk and Richard Kriel, while a penalty from Chris Smith gave the hosts a 15-7 advantage at half-time.

Vlam Oosthuizen. Photo: Morgan Piek

Scrumhalf Nico Steyn, whose earlier effort had been disallowed by the TMO, crossed after the break to stretch the lead. Smith added another penalty before Angelo Davids and Quan Horn sealed the result. 

Horn’s score was particularly special, as his father Ian once played for the Griquas. After the match, Griquas coach Pieter Bergh admitted his side were outplayed but stressed they know what needs to be done ahead of their semi-final clash with the Cheetahs.

“We need to maintain physicality, intensity, and accuracy – that’s the main thing.”  

“Last week against the Cheetahs, we put them under a lot of pressure, and when we were accurate today, we did the same to the Lions. The problem is that it only happened in patches. Against top sides, if you make mistakes, they punish you. Next week we’ll have to do it for 80 minutes.”

This will be the fifth meeting between the Griquas and the Cheetahs this year. The Kimberley outfit have remarkably won all four previous encounters – two in the SA Cup (including a semi-final), a pre-season warm-up in Bultfontein, and a convincing 40-10 Currie Cup victory in Bloemfontein less than two weeks ago.

SA Rugby is yet to confirm the exact date and time of the semi-final at Suzuki Stadium, but Kimberley is set to come alive as the Griquas chase a place in the Currie Cup final for the first time in 2022.

Scorers:

Lions: Tries – Henco van Wyk, Richard Kriel, Nico Steyn, Angelo Davids, Quan Horn Conv. – Chris Smith 3 Pen. – Chris Smith 2

Griquas: Try – Lourens Oosthuizen Conv. – George Whitehead

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg