The Currie Cup-winning fullback Cameron Hufke has been ruled out for what is likely to be the remainder of the season after suffering a serious knee injury during the first half of the Griquas’ emphatic 56–26 victory over the Bulls in Kimberley.

The in-form and dangerous Hufke sustained the injury while setting up Gurswin Wehr’s first of his three tries in the convincing bonus-point win.

Cameron Hufke. Photo: Morgan Piek

To make matters worse, dynamic utility back Dylan Maart has also been ruled out of the derby and is expected to miss several more weeks after injuring his shoulder in a desperate attempt to prevent a Bulls try.

Fortunately for the Peacock Blues, they boast quality depth in the outside backs. For Friday’s OFM Cup Challenge clash, Stefan Coetzee, Connor Mahoney and Wehr will form the back three.

Coetzee returns after recovering from a minor niggle picked up during the opening-round defeat to the Stormers in Cape Town.

Griquas coach Pieter Bergh told OFM Sport that the squad’s depth is being severely tested, confirming Hufke will miss the rest of the season with a torn posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and meniscus.

“We’ve actually got nine players out for this game. A month ago we only had one injury, but we’re now sitting with nine unavailable.

“Keegan Blankenberg will probably be out for about six months, while Gustav Erlank also faces a six-month lay-off. Eddie Davids, Malembe Mpofu and Dylan Smith should all be back next week, while Janco Uys is one or two weeks away after an Achilles injury.

Dylan Maart with the shoulder injury he picked up against the Bulls. Photo: Morgan Piek

“Cammy has a torn PCL and meniscus and won’t play again this year. Dylan Maart has torn shoulder ligaments and will be out for a few weeks, while Derek Pretorius is serving the final week of his suspension.”

The injury to hooker Janco Uys has opened the door for former Cheetahs front-rower Janus Venter to make his Griquas debut.

Venter recently returned from a stint in the United States and joins the Peacock Blues on loan from the Currie Cup First Division champions, the SWD Eagles. He also previously played under Bergh at the CUT Ixias.

Bergh said he knows exactly what Venter will bring to the side and is excited to hand him the opportunity.

“Janus Venter was with me for two or three years at CUT, so he’s someone I know well. We’re fortunate that SWD agreed to loan him to us for the Currie Cup before he returns to them.

“He’s full of confidence after playing in a strong SWD team that won the first division, and he was one of their standout players.

Janus Venter. Photo: Morgan Piek

“He’s an experienced player with very good basics. He’s physical, and that’s exactly what we feel we’re going to need this weekend.”

The scrumhalf, Jack Hart, will also make his Currie Cup debut for the Griquas, after excelling for them during the Toyota Challenge in Bloemfontein.

Friday’s OFM Cup Challenge derby at the Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley kicks off at 19:00.

Griquas – 15 Stefan Coetzee, 14 Connor Mahoney, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 11 Gurswin Wehr, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Bobby Alexander, 8 Carl Els, 7 Marco de Witt, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen, 5 Albert Liebenberg (captain), 4 Lungisi Mbiko, 3 Ig Prinsloo, 2 Tiaan Lange, 1 Leon Lyons.

Replacements – 16 Janus Venter, 17 Corné Lavagna, 18 Ntobeko Shezi, 19 Carel van der Merwe, 20 Phumzile Maqondwana, 21 Jack Hart, 22 Damian Markus, 23 Sako Makata.

Cheetahs – TBA

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm