The defending champions host the Lions in Kimberley on Saturday in a repeat of last season’s memorable Currie Cup final, although this time the action shifts to the Suzuki Stadium.

Twelve months ago, the Peacock Blues ended a 55-year wait for Currie Cup glory when they edged the Lions 27-25 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, courtesy of a dramatic late penalty.

Zane Bester. Photo: Morgan Piek

Saturday’s encounter carries even greater significance as it forms part of Griquas’ 140th anniversary celebrations. The occasion is expected to attract hundreds of former players, administrators and club legends, making it one of the biggest days in the union’s proud history.

The defending champions are beginning to find their rhythm after opening their title defence with a defeat to Western Province. They bounced back emphatically with a 56-26 demolition of the Bulls before grinding out a gutsy 24-21 derby victory over the Toyota Cheetahs in Kimberley on Friday night.

It was another fiercely contested derby that could easily have gone either way, but Griquas’ dominance at scrum time proved decisive as they repeatedly forced penalties while producing a resolute defensive display. Even so, the side knows there is still plenty of room for improvement.

The Lions have also impressed during the opening rounds. After narrowly losing to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, they hammered the Pumas 52-29 before cruising to a 42-19 victory over the Bulls. Those results see them atop the standings on 12 points, one ahead of both Griquas and the Cheetahs.

Head coach Pieter Bergh told OFM Sport Saturday’s clash against last season’s beaten finalists is about much more than just league points.

“I just told the players that next week is a special weekend for everybody as we celebrate 140 years,” said Bergh.

“I think they’re expecting hundreds of former players to come with their families to attend the match. It’s important that we play well for those people. They obviously come to see the guys they played with, but they also want to see a good team.”

Albert Liebenberg with the vital line-out steal against the Cheetahs. Photo: Morgan Piek

“A lot of them, in the past, tried to win the Currie Cup and tried to do something special. Now they come back to share those special memories.

“It’s important for us to send them home with good memories, not only with their old teammates, but also with this team.

“I think tonight was a step in the right direction, but we’ve got to be up for it again next week.”

The Peacock Blues will also wear a special commemorative jersey to honour the rich legacy built over the past 140 years.

Gurswin Wehr. Photo: Morgan Piek

The Griquas loose forwards once again played a key role in the derby victory, with Carl Els delivering an outstanding performance at the breakdown through a series of crucial turnovers. Bergh said he was delighted with the response from his back row after challenging them to raise their standards following the opening-round defeat in Cape Town.

“We had some big chats with our loose forwards after the Western Province game because I wasn’t happy with their performances. 

“I told them we needed to see the standard they produced last year. I felt they didn’t bring the performances they showed last season.”

Carl Els, Zane Bester, and Derik Pretorius. Photo: Morgan Piek

“Last week was an exceptional challenge for them, and this week the challenge was to improve and be better. I think they’re getting better now, which obviously bodes well for the rest of the competition.

“Carl has been outstanding, and then after losing Marco de Witt, Carel van der Merwe came on and did really well. He conceded that penalty in Cape Town and was down and emotional for a few weeks, but the nice thing about rugby is that the next week you get another chance to put things right.

“It’s important that we kick on next week. We play the Lions at one o’clock, and it should be a high-scoring, open-running game. I’m just happy.”

Saturday’s Currie Cup clash at the Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley kicks off at 13:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg