The Peacock Blues booked their place in the decider with a commanding 25-5 victory over the Toyota Cheetahs in Saturday night’s second semi-final in Kimberley.

The clash at the Suzuki Stadium was the first Currie Cup knockout fixture hosted in the Diamond City in 27 years, and the Griquas made sure to mark the occasion in style with a dominant display against their Free State neighbours.

Cameron Hufke. Photo: Morgan Piek

Back in May, the Griquas also edged the Cheetahs 41-38 in the semi-finals of the SA Cup before going down 39-14 to the Pumas in the final in Nelspruit. In the process, they became the first team ever to reach both the Currie Cup and SA Cup finals in the same year.

On Saturday, winger Dylan Maart scored a brace of tries for the Griquas, while lock Albert Liebenberg also crossed the whitewash. Veteran flyhalf George Whitehead contributed ten points with the boot, landing two conversions and two penalties. The Cheetahs’ only points came via an unconverted try from winger Prince Nkabinde.

Earlier in the day, the URC-stacked Lions hammered the Boland Cavaliers 67-19 in Johannesburg to secure home-ground advantage for the final after finishing top of the log. It will be the second year in a row that they host the showpiece. Last season, they beat the Cheetahs 43-34 in the semi-final at Ellis Park.

The last time the Griquas managed to win the Currie Cup was back in 1970 when they stunned the much more fancied Bulls (then Northern Transvaal) 11-9 in Kimberley.

On the day, Buddy Swartz scored a brace of tries, becoming the first-ever player to score two tries in a Currie Cup final, while the flanker Peet Smit landed a long-range penalty from within his own half of the field. The Bulls’ only try in the final was scored by the legendary Frik du Preez.

More recently, the Griquas hosted the 2022 final, but the Pumas upset the party when they won their first-ever title with a 26-19 victory.

Pieter Bergh. Photo: Morgan Piek

The Griquas coach Pieter Bergh told OFM Sport that while the Lions will be favourites, his side is confident they can cause an upset.

“Yes, look, we’re in a final – and that’s what we wanted. We’ve got an opportunity, and I really believe we have a chance. They’re definitely the favourites, but with that comes a lot of pressure,” said Bergh.

“We’ve got the chance to win a trophy, and that’s something special. It’s important that we enjoy the week and make the most of it. 

“Playing a final at Ellis Park is something many of these guys would have only dreamt of. It’s going to be a very special occasion, and I believe we’ve got a chance – but now it’s about enjoying it.”

Bergh added that reaching the final was the result of years of hard work and continuity, whereas the Cheetahs are in a rebuilding phase.

“It’s my fourth year now, and we started building this a while ago. You want to build a team as a coach, and you want to build a coaching staff alongside you. I think we’ve got a settled coaching staff now.

Mnombo Zwelendaba. Photo: Morgan Piek

“That’s been the key – keeping a strong squad together and retaining our best players. Of the 23 players who featured today, only one or two are moving on at the end of the season. 

“We even have quality players missing out on game time, which shows our depth. Continuity has been crucial, and hopefully we can keep this group together for much longer.”

Saturday’s Currie Cup final between the Lions and Griquas at Ellis Park in Johannesburg is scheduled to kick off at 15:00, although SA Rugby has yet to confirm the exact time.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs