The Peacock Blues are contesting the world’s oldest domestic rugby competition final for the first time since 2022, and they’ll be going in all guns blazing as they look to lift the Sir Donald Currie trophy for the first time since 1970.

The Griquas head into the clash as definite underdogs, especially given they are playing away from home. To add to that, the Lions thumped them 37-7 in Johannesburg during round six.

Tom Nel playing for the UCT Ikeys - Asem Engage

For the 23-year-old Nel, however, this has already been a breakthrough season. After moving to Kimberley from Cape Town at the end of the Varsity Cup, he has gone from strength to strength.

On Saturday, Nel is set to write his name into the history books by becoming the first-ever player to feature in a Varsity Cup final, SA Cup final, and Currie Cup final in the same year – and all of this in his very first year as a professional.

In April, he lifted the Varsity Cup trophy with the University of Cape Town Ikeys when they beat their fierce rivals, the Stellenbosch Maties, 44-21 in the final in Coetzenburg. Barely six weeks later, he was part of the Griquas team that played in the SA Cup final, where they surrendered their title to the Pumas after a 39-14 defeat in Nelspruit.

Now, Nel finds himself on the bench for Saturday’s Currie Cup final at Ellis Park – on the brink of creating a unique piece of rugby history.

Nel told OFM Sport that while the personal milestone is special, this week is all about the team and their quest for glory.

“Yes, very, very excited for this final. I mean, the Currie Cup final – it’s the oldest competition in the world and in South African rugby – that’s amazing,” said Nel.

“I grew up watching the Currie Cup final for many years, so this is super exciting. From a personal side, to play in three finals in one year is very rare. Every competition I’ve played this year, I’ve been in a final. To do that in my first year of professional rugby is something I’m very happy and blessed about.

Tom Nel tackling Prince Nkabinde in die Currie Cup semi-final - Morgan Piek

“But that definitely takes a back seat. It’s all about the team and the union. I don’t think people realise how much it means to the Griquas to have hosted a semi-final and now to be in the final. The team is ready. We’ve prepped hard, everyone’s worked hard the entire tournament to get us here.”

Looking ahead to the final, Nel added that their heavy defeat to the Lions in the pool stages means nothing now.

“I think it’s going to be a very different battle to the one we had two weeks ago. Their team is stacked, but that’s exactly what we want as the Griquas – to go there and beat a strong side. We believe we can do it.

“The team is excited. For us, it’s all about the Griquas, the union, and the people of Kimberley this weekend.”

The much-anticipated Currie Cup final between the Lions and Griquas kicks off at 15:00 on Saturday at Ellis Park.

Lions – TBA

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 Carl Els, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen, 5 Albert Libenberg, 4 Derik Pretorius, 3 Cebo Dlamini (captain),  2 Janco Uys, 1 Eddie Davids

Replacements - 16 Tiaan Lange, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 IG Prinsloo, 19 Marco de Witt, 20 Pumzile Maqondwana, 21 Thomas Bursey, 22 Tom Nel, 23 Connor Mahoney

Morgan Piek OFM Sport