The defending champions have already secured a home semi-final after an impressive 38-14 victory over the Pumas in Nelspruit last week – a result that delivered a huge psychological boost to the Peacock Blues.

But for the Kimberley outfit, the job is far from done.

The Griquas set themselves the target of finishing top of the log at the start of the season, with the ultimate prize being the chance to host the Currie Cup final in 2026. To keep that dream alive, they will need to overcome the Boland Cavaliers in Kimberley on Sunday and remain at the summit.

Zane Bester on the attack against the Cheetahs. Photo: Morgan Piek

Boland, however, will be no pushovers. The Cavaliers are still firmly in the hunt for a place in the semi-finals and know that nothing less than a victory in Wellington will keep their hopes alive. With a passionate home crowd behind them, they will be desperate to produce a result – while a favour or two elsewhere could also go a long way.

Griquas outside centre Zane Bester told OFM Sport that his team is relishing the challenge and will stick to the formula that has served them so well this season.

“We’re very excited as a team for this weekend,” said Bester.

Carl Els, Zane Bester, and Derik Pretorius after winning the 2025 Currie Cup final at Ellis Park. Photo: Morgan Piek

“We had two goals at the beginning of this tournament: to end top of the log. Boland might be desperate, but we’re also very desperate to stay at the top of the log and be able to play home semi-finals and home finals. So that’s definitely our number one goal.

“Our second goal is, these last four games, including the Pumas game we played this weekend, we wanted to treat them as four finals. So, as Piet (Bergh) mentioned today at training as well, there are three finals left. That’s how we’ll treat this game against Boland.

“I think we’re definitely ready and up for the challenge. We’re not going to take our foot off the pedal now. We want to put out hands and win the Currie Cup.”

Bester added that the Griquas’ approach this season has never been about simply defending their Currie Cup crown. Instead, they have set their sights firmly on going back-to-back – a mindset that has become ingrained within the squad.

Their focus, he says, is on winning rather than merely protecting what they achieved last season.

“From the start of the season, we’ve been saying we’re not here to defend our title, but actually to win it back-to-back. So that’s a great mindset that I think Piet has set for us as a team,” said Bester.

“Injuries are part of the sport. I think Piet has done a great job of building the depth of our squad.

“We’re very excited for this weekend, and I believe every player who’s going to play against Boland is going to put everything on the line to get that home semi-final and home final.

“That’s what we want, and that’s what we want for the people of Kimberley: to give them two more games in this Currie Cup and make it back-to-back in our hometown, in front of our home fans.

“Last year it was at Ellis Park. This year it’s going to be in Kimberley, and we’re very, very, very excited.”

With the stakes high for both teams, Sunday’s clash promises to be a fiery encounter between a Boland side fighting to keep its semi-final dream alive and a Griquas outfit determined to finish the league phase on top.

The big Currie Cup clash between the dangerous Boland Cavaliers and high-flying Griquas at Boland Stadium in Wellington kicks off at 15:00 on Sunday.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvscvs