The reigning Currie Cup champions, along with the back-to-back SA Cup-winning Airlink Pumas and the Toyota Cheetahs, will test themselves against international opposition over three rounds of rugby. The visiting teams include Portugal’s Lusitanos, Georgia’s Black Lion and Romania A.

For the Peacock Blues, the tournament presents the perfect opportunity to put the disappointment of their dramatic 38-35 extra-time defeat to the Pumas in the SA Cup final behind them and shift their focus towards the defence of their Currie Cup crown. 

It also offers the squad a rare chance to face opponents they have never encountered before.

Sako Makata on the charge against the Pumas. Photo: Morgan Piek

Griquas are expected to manage the workload of some of their senior players while giving valuable game time to squad members who featured less prominently during the SA Cup campaign.

The competition will also provide an early look at several recruits, including Maynard Kleynhans, and Dillon Smit. Stefan Coetzee will only link up with the Griquas in July.

Powerful Griquas winger Sako Makata, who also featured at centre during the SA Cup, told OFM Sport that while the defeat in the final was difficult to accept, the team's focus has already shifted to the bigger picture.

“Going into the SA Cup, the main goal was always to qualify for the Currie Cup, and winning the final would have been the cherry on top. It’s unfortunate that we came so close,” said Makata.

“We were more than capable of getting the job done, but we just put ourselves in difficult positions.

“I think we showed a lot of quality in the way we came back from behind in the last three games. It showed how good a team we can be when we do our basics right and follow the system.

“We were our own worst enemies in the last three games. We gave teams leeway to get back into the game and made it an arm wrestle for ourselves.”

Marco de Witt. Photo: Morgan Piek

Makata believes the timing of the Toyota Challenge is ideal, allowing the squad to quickly move on from the disappointment of losing a final and redirect their energy towards improvement.

“The Toyota Challenge comes at a great time for us. Nobody wants to sit and lick their wounds for too long, and this tournament gives us an opportunity to flush out the negatives and polish the areas where we need to improve,” he said.

“A lot of the guys are excited about facing international opposition. They’re going to bring something different to what we’re used to, and I think it’s going to lead to a lot of growth for the players.

“It’s an exciting time ahead. Quite a handful of the guys haven’t travelled overseas before, so it’ll be exciting to experience a new country and a new culture.”

Tiaan Lange. Photo: Morgan Piek

While the Toyota Challenge is a short-term focus, Makata made it clear that the team’s long-term objective remains firmly fixed on another successful Currie Cup campaign.

“The aim is to get a home final in the Currie Cup and retain the trophy here in Kimberley. When you walk around the city, people tell you just how much it means to have the Currie Cup here.

“We have a lot to play for, we have a huge target on our backs, and it’s a big challenge. But as a squad and as a system, we’re more than prepared to face that challenge. We’re pretty excited.”

The Toyota Challenge gets underway on Friday at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein. The Pumas and Black Lion will open the tournament at 13:30, followed by the Griquas against Romania A at 15:30. The hosts, the Cheetahs, will then face Lusitanos at 18:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg