The Peacock Blues travel to the Mother City full of confidence after impressive SA Cup and Toyota Challenge campaigns. They also warmed up for the new season with a convincing victory over the Boland Cavaliers last week.

It will be a historic occasion for the home side, who will compete under the Stormers banner in the Currie Cup for the first time after the decision to move away from the traditional Western Province name.

Stefan Ungerer in action against the Cheetahs - Morgan Piek

Although the Stormers boast plenty of United Rugby Championship experience, the visitors from Kimberley will start as slight favourites. The Griquas have built a formidable reputation over the past few seasons, winning last year’s title and consistently proving they can match, and beat, South Africa’s bigger unions. They have also made it clear that their ambition is to host another Currie Cup final this season.

Veteran Stormers scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer, who represented Griquas until 2022, told OFM Sport that his side know exactly what to expect from the defending champions.

“It’s obviously a hardworking environment on that side, and they probably spend 10 months of the year putting in the hard graft. It’s tough conditions around there,” said Ungerer.

“They get themselves up for these types of games and they love upsetting a big union.

“They really get stuck into teams because they see themselves as a hardworking, close-knit group.

“Whenever they get the chance to play against a URC side, they come at you from the first whistle. We know we’ve got a proper game ahead of us on Friday and we’re excited for it.”

The Griquas have won their last eight meetings against the Stormers, a remarkable run that highlights the shift in fortunes between the two sides. Ungerer was part of the Kimberley outfit during the early stages of that streak and said the team’s mentality has always been built on punching above their weight and proving people wrong.

Stefan Ungerer in the colours of the Stormers - Stormers

“I think I was probably involved in the first four games of that run. It was always tough coming here, but those first four wins helped swing things our way,” Ungerer added.

“It wasn’t just about playing against Province or the Stormers. They wanted to pitch up against any URC side.

“They were often labelled the underdogs, but over the last couple of years they’ve shown that, whether they’re the underdogs or the favourites – which is probably more the case now – they lift themselves for the big games.

“They really want to prove a point and show that they belong at that level.”

The Currie Cup opening round clash between the Stormers and Griquas at the Cape Town Stadium in Green Point kicks off at 19:05.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport