It’s the Lions’ second successive final, and they’ll be desperate to atone for last year’s heartbreak when they went down 16-14 to the Sharks at Ellis Park.

Just a fortnight ago, the Lions thumped the Griquas 37-7 on the Highveld in a round-seven clash that was delayed by an hour and a half due to lightning. At one stage, there was even talk of the match being abandoned.

Cameron Hufke.Photo: Morgan Piek

The Lions, however, are expecting the Peacock Blues to throw everything at them as the Kimberley outfit chase a first Currie Cup title in 55 years.

Lions winger Kelly Mpeku warned while his side may be favourites, the Griquas are a dangerous team and nothing can be taken for granted.

“They’re a great side – they’ve got exciting outside backs, a powerful pack, and their set-piece is solid. It’s definitely going to be a great game.” 

Mpeku, who knows a thing or two about speed, said the Griquas’ back three – Gurswin Wehr, Dylan Maart, and Cameron Hufke – will pose a serious threat.

“100% - Magic Wehr, Dylan on the right, and Hufke at fullback – they’re quality players, so we’re definitely going to have our hands full.”

Meanwhile, in the Griquas camp, there is a quiet but steely determination to finally get over the line. Back in 2022, they hosted the final in Kimberley, but their semi-final win over the Bulls had felt like their final – and they went on to lose to the Pumas in front of a sold-out Suzuki Stadium.

Coach Pieter Bergh told OFM Sport the mindset in his squad is very different this time around, with everything seemingly falling into place as they look to win the world’s oldest domestic rugby competition for the first time since 1970.

“Four years ago, when we beat the Bulls in the semi-final to reach the Currie Cup final, it was all new to us — there were huge celebrations because it was the first time for everyone,” Bergh reflected.

“But after this year’s semi-final against the Cheetahs, the change room felt very different. The players weren’t over-celebrating. They knew the job wasn’t done. That told me a lot about this group — it’s not just about reaching a final anymore, it’s about winning a trophy.

Gurswin Wehr. Photo: Morgan Piek

“When we lost our first game of the season to the Pumas, people said the Bulls and Lions were already favourites after their strong starts.

“But when the Pumas beat the Bulls and Boland upset the Lions, I told my staff it was actually good for us. If you just want to scrape into a semi-final, then you hope the big teams keep winning.

“But if you want to win the Currie Cup, you need results to open the door for a home semi-final. That’s the mentality we’ve built this season – not to be satisfied with making finals, but to aim to win them.”

Saturday’s final at Ellis Park will kick-off at 15:00.

Lions – 15 Quan Horn (captain), 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 WJ Steenkamp, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Raun Delport, 4 Dylan Sjöblom, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Franco Marains, 1 SJ Kotze

Replacements – 16 Morné Brandon, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Haashim Read, 22 Lubabalo Dobela, 23 Rynhardt Jonker

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

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg