The Peacock Blues are unbeaten after three rounds and have racked up a staggering 38 tries while conceding just four. However, the clash with the Purple People Eaters is one they dare not take lightly.

The Currie Cup champions will start as clear favourites on home soil, but a confident Griffons side, with their tails up, could prove a real banana peel for the log leaders. It also marks the start of a demanding run for Griquas, as they begin facing stronger opposition in the build-up to the semi-finals - and there’s little room for complacency.

Ig Prinsloo and Lourens Oosthuizen in the warm-up game againt the Griffons in Welkom. Photo: Morgan Piek

During the SA Cup warm-up match, Griquas ran riot in Welkom, but the Griffons still managed to test them despite being far less polished at the time.

In the backline, veteran flyhalf George Whitehead earns his first start of the season, alongside scrumhalf Bobby Alexander, who also runs out for the first time this year.

Up front, coach Pieter Bergh has opted for arguably his strongest pack to counter the Griffons’ well-known physicality.

There’s also plenty of punch on the bench, with impact players such as hooker Janco Uys, Marco de Witt, Phumzile Maqondwana, Caleb Abrahams, Sako Makata, and Cameron Hufke all set to make a difference when called upon.

Griquas forward coach and former Springbok lock, Franco van der Merwe, told OFM Sport that they are bracing for a stern test against a side that is always highly motivated when facing them.

“It’s always a tough game against the Griffons,” said Van der Merwe.

Carl Els. Photo: Morgan Piek

“Since I arrived in 2023, every encounter with them has been a real battle. I remember a moment in 2024 just after half-time when they chipped through - had they gathered that ball, the score could have been 21-17 and we’d have been under serious pressure. Fortunately, we managed to turn it over and score.

“They’re always in the fight. If you look at their start against Boland, they came out firing and put them under immense pressure early on, even forcing two yellow cards, one of which led to a penalty try from a maul.

“So we know exactly what’s coming. It’s never easy against them, but we’ve had a good week of preparation and we’re really looking forward to the encounter.”

George Whitehead running in for his try agaisnt the Griffons in Welkom. Photo: Morgan Piek

Meanwhile, kick-off has been brought forward by an hour in an effort to avoid potential weather-related disruptions, similar to those experienced last week. With more bad weather forecast - like during the 97-7 win over the Border Bulldogs - they are taking no chances.

That match started an hour and 15 minutes late, while in Bloemfontein the clash between the Toyota Cheetahs and the Pumas on Friday was called off after 35 minutes due to lightning - a risk that still looms this weekend.

Leon Lyons. Photo: Morgan Piek

Saturday’s match between Griquas and the Griffons at Suzuki Stadium is now scheduled to kick off at 14:00.

Griquas: 15 Connor Mahoney, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 11 Gurswin Wehr, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Bobby Alexander, 8 Gustav Erlank, 7 Carl Els, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen, 5 Albert Liebenberg (captain), 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 Ig Prinsloo, 2 Tiaan Lange, 1 Leon Lyons.

Replacements: 16 Janco Uys, 17 Corné Lavagna, 18 Ntobeko Shezi, 19 Marco de Witt, 20 Phumzile Maqondwana, 21 Caleb Abrahams, 22 Sako Makata, 23 Cameron Hufke.

Griffons – TBA

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek  cvdw