The Cheetahs secured their semi-final spot thanks to an outstanding final 20 minutes in Pretoria over the weekend. Despite a 35-31 loss to the Bulls, it was enough to move them up to third place and set up a clash with their neighbours. 

Two crucial points from the game allowed the Cheetahs to leapfrog the Pumas and the Boland Cavaliers, even after trailing 35-5 after 60 minutes.

However, the Cheetahs will be without flyhalf Franco Smith Jr., who was forced off the field after a heavy high tackle from Springbok Marcell Coetzee left the 24-year-old with a concussion. 

Franco Smith Jr against the Griquas. Photo: Morgan Piek

With George Lourens, Tiaan Swanepoel, and Ethan Wentzel all sidelined due to injury, the options at fly-half are extremely limited. This leaves Clayton Blommetjies and Cohen Japer, both typically outside backs, as the only available choices for the number ten jersey. The Cheetahs have shown time and again that they can adapt and find a way.

The Griquas will pose a formidable challenge. This will be the fifth meeting between the two sides this season and the third in Kimberley. In the SA Cup, the Peacock Blues defeated the Cheetahs in back-to-back weekends to secure their final spot. 

In the Currie Cup warm-up match, the Griquas beat the Cheetahs in Bultfontein, and less than two weeks ago, they thrashed Free State 40-10 in Bloemfontein.

The Griquas will be particularly motivated, playing their first semi-final in Kimberley in 27 years – their last was in 1998.

The Cheetahs winger Prince Nkabinde, who scored crucial tries against both the Lions and the Bulls last week, told OFM Sport the team is excited and ready to embrace the underdog role.

“We’re pretty stoked as a team for this coming weekend. Excited more than anything to play in the semi-final. It’s a huge blessing for us, and we know the challenge ahead on Saturday. 

“We just want to showcase what this team is capable of, play our brand of rugby, and leave no stone unturned.”

Prince Nkabinde scoring against the Griquas in Kimberley in the semi-finals of the SA Cup. Photo: Morgan Piek

“This week, we’re focusing on ourselves – what we need to do better, what we need to rectify from previous games against them, and how we can improve from our game against the Bulls. But more than anything, we’re just excited. We’re going to Kimberley as underdogs, but it’s a good challenge for us.”

The high-stakes derby will also double as the OFM Challenge Cup, guaranteeing that at least one of the two teams proudly supported by OFM will feature in the final. The final may still be hosted in Kimberley or Bloemfontein, depending on whether the Boland Cavaliers can pull off another upset against the Lions.

Kick-off for Saturday’s Currie Cup semi-final at Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley is set for 19:15. At 17:00, the Lions will host the Boland Cavaliers at Ellis Park in Johannesburg in the first semi-final.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dgdg