The Currie Cup-winning wings, Gurswin Wehr and Dylan Maart, have both been named in the starting XV. Meanwhile, the powerful inside centre Mnombo Zwelendaba will captain the team after making an impact off the bench in last weekend’s emphatic 52–15 win over the Valke in Kempton Park.

Wehr recently spent time with Sale Sharks in the English Premiership and has been back in Kimberley for a while. 

Maart, meanwhile, reported back for duty with the Peacock Blues on Monday (16/3) following a successful loan stint with the Stormers, where he featured in both the United Rugby Championship and the European Champions Cup.

Mnombo Zwelendaba scored a try of the Griquas in the 2025 Currie Cup final. Photo: Morgan Piek

Another notable inclusion in the backline is fly-half Zinedine Robinson, who earns a start, while new signing Jack Hart will slot in at scrum-half.

There are also sweeping changes up front, with Marco de Witt set for his first start at flank since his stint with the Ospreys in the URC. Like Zwelendaba, he crossed the whitewash after coming off the bench in last week’s win at Barnard Stadium.

Bergh told OFM Sport that, aside from one or two minor niggles, he’s delighted to finally have a full squad to choose from after a challenging pre-season disrupted by loan arrangements.

“It’s great to have everyone back. Pre-season was tough from a numbers point of view, with so many guys out on loan or away from us,” said Bergh.

“At the moment it’s only Eddie Davids who’s still at the Lions, so the quality of training has picked up immediately. We struggled at times to train 15 versus 15, and that makes proper preparation difficult. This week we’ve had 33 players at training, which has been fantastic – everyone back, fit and healthy.”

On the return of Wehr and Maart, Bergh emphasised the importance of reintegrating them as quickly as possible.

Dylan Maart reported back for duty in Kimberley on Monday. Photo: Morgan Piek

“Gurswin was overseas with Sale but didn’t get much game time, and after missing last week due to a family funeral, it’s good to give him a run,” he added.

“Dylan has also returned from his loan with the Stormers, and we wanted to get him involved as quickly as possible.

“The plan from the start was that, if the first two matches went according to plan, we’d give everyone in the squad a run in the opening three games – and that’s worked out well. There are 14 changes this week, with Connor Mahoney shifting from wing to fullback, but this is by no means a B team. It shows the quality and depth we’ve built over the last few years.

Marco de Witt got international experience at the Ospreys in Swansea. Photo: Morgan Piek

“It’s a strong side, and there are players who featured in the first two matches who aren’t involved this week. That’s exactly what we want – healthy competition for places and the chance to keep building depth. Last season, a big part of our success was that when we made changes or suffered injuries, we didn’t weaken the team.

“That’s what we’re working towards again – a squad where anyone called upon can do the job.”

Saturday’s match at Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley kicks off at 15:00.

Griquas – 15 Connor Mahoney, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Tom Nel, 12 Mnombo Zwelendaba (captain), 11 Gurswin Wehr, 10 Zinedine Robinson, 9 Jack Hart, 8 Phumzile Maqondwana, 7 Marco de Witt, 6 Carl Els, 5 Carel van der Merwe, 4 Lungi Mbiko, 3 Johan Louw, 2 Janco Uys, 1 Miango Ngundue.

Replacements – 16 Keagan Blanckenberg, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Ntobeko Shezi, 19 Malembe Mpofu, 20 Lourens Oosthuizen, 21 Bobby Alexander, 22 George Whitehead, 23 Sako Makata.

Border – TBA

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm