In doing so they also somewhat avenged their heartbreaking SA Cup defeat to their neighbours earlier this year in Bloemfontein.

The defending champions produced a committed display in front of their home supporters to hand the Cheetahs their first defeat of the 2026 Currie Cup season. The victory also lifted Pieter Bergh's side to the top of the standings after three rounds.

The OFM Cup - Morgan Piek

Friday's encounter had all the intensity expected of one of South Africa's fiercest provincial rivalries. There was plenty of physicality, uncompromising defence and no shortage of emotion as the two neighbours battled for bragging rights.

Ultimately, it was Griquas captain Albert Liebenberg who delivered the defining moment. With the Cheetahs camped five metres from the Griquas tryline during the closing stages, Liebenberg stole a crucial lineout before Carl Els hacked the ball into touch to spark jubilant celebrations.

The home side's speed and game management were once again outstanding, but it was their dominance in the scrum that laid the foundation for victory. Griquas consistently put the Cheetahs under pressure at the set piece, earning a string of valuable penalties throughout the contest.

Griquas captain Albert Liebenberg with the most important line-out steal of his career - Morgan Piek

The visitors made the brighter start when lock Simon Miller crashed over from close range after sustained pressure, with Cohen Jasper adding the conversion for a 7-0 lead.

Griquas, however, responded superbly. Hooker Tiaan Lange, who would later be named the man of the match, crossed for his first try after a period of relentless attacking pressure to level matters. Momentum swung firmly towards the hosts, and Bergh's side took control midway through the first half. Els powered over from close range before Griquas produced the try of the match shortly before the break.

After forcing a turnover deep inside their own 22, Mnombo Zwelindaba launched a counter-attack by kicking ahead. Gurswin Wehr won the chase before linking up brilliantly with Zwelindaba once more. The winger then produced an inch-perfect kick-pass for scrumhalf Bobby Alexander, who gathered in full stride to dive over in the corner after a breathtaking length-of-the-field movement.

Steyn introduced Springbok World Cup-winning scrumhalf Faf de Klerk after just 25 minutes in an attempt to shift the momentum, but the move initially backfired. De Klerk was yellow-carded shortly before half-time after referee Christopher Allison ruled that he illegally played the ball while off his feet at the breakdown, preventing a potential Griquas counter-attack.

Trailing 17-7 at the interval, the Cheetahs responded positively early in the second half. Hooker Marko Janse van Rensburg finished off a powerful rolling maul to reduce the deficit to three points.

Griquas quickly restored control when Lange barged over for his second try from close range, securing the all-important four-try bonus point and stretching the lead to 24-14.

Albert Liebenberg and his victorious Griquas - Morgan Piek

The Cheetahs refused to go away. With just under 10 minutes remaining, De Klerk produced a perfectly timed pass to release Prince Nkabinde, whose superb line sliced through the defence before he sprinted away to score. Jasper's third successful conversion cut the deficit to just three points.

The visitors threw everything at the defending champions during the closing exchanges and looked set to snatch victory. However, Liebenberg's decisive lineout steal on his own tryline ensured Griquas held on for a memorable derby victory and a valuable four log points.

Scorers

Griquas: Tries - Tiaan Lange 2, Carl Els, Bobby Alexander Conv. - George Whitehead 2

Cheetahs: Tries - Simon Miller, Marko Janse van Rensburg, Prince Nkabinde Conv. - Cohen Jasper 3

Morgan Piek OFM Sport