This time, the Peacock Blues will welcome their Lowveld rivals to the Diamond City for the Currie Cup final – a repeat of the historic championship clash in Kimberley just over four years ago.

On that occasion, the Pumas spoiled the party with a 26–19 victory to lift the Currie Cup for the first time in their history.

Sango Xamlashe was the Griquas captain in the 2022 Currie Cup final. Photo: Morgan Piek

This time, however, the Griquas are the defending champions. Immediately after lifting the title in Johannesburg last year, they made it clear that their goal was to go one better in 2026 – and win the Currie Cup on home soil.

They took a giant step towards achieving that dream on Sunday, when Lourens Oosthuizen scored a brace of tries, while Marco de Witt, Mnombo Zwelendaba, Stefan Coetzee, Tiaan Lange and Jack Hart also crossed the whitewash as the Griquas powered past the Lions 52–12 in a rain-soaked Kimberley.

Saturday’s showdown will be an even more special occasion given it will be only the third time in 56 years that the Griquas have hosted the Currie Cup final at home. The 2026 season also marks 140 years of Griquas rugby, adding another layer of history to an already significant occasion.

Earlier this year, the Pumas edged the Griquas 38–35 after extra time in Kimberley to win the SA Cup final, becoming the first team to successfully defend the title.

They will now be motivated by the opportunity to become the first side to win both the SA Cup and Currie Cup in the same year.

Griquas coach Pieter Bergh told OFM Sport beating the Lions was far from straightforward, despite what the emphatic scoreline suggested, but he was delighted that his team had secured the home final they had been chasing all season.

Griquas captain Albert Liebenberg against the Pumas in the 2026 SA Cup final. Photo: Morgan Piek

“Yeah, you know, very proud of the players and the management team and everybody involved to achieve the home final,” said Bergh.

“I think from the beginning, from last year, to winning the Currie Cup away and seeing the fans welcoming us home after last year’s victory, the goal was to give Kimberley a home final.

“So that’s what we dreamed of and what the goal was from the beginning of the season. So we are just very happy and proud to be able to do that.

“It was a tough game. In the weather, there was still an hour before kick-off when we were unsure if we were going to be starting on time, as there was a lot of lightning in the air, and rain.

“The players just kept their concentration, kept their focus and really played another good game, you know? We played good rugby.”

Bergh knows the job is only half done, though, with the Griquas now needing to produce one final big performance against a Pumas side that will be determined to spoil the party once again.

“In our last three matches – Pumas away, Boland away and now the Lions – we’ve really played well, conceded only six tries in those three matches. So hopefully we can take a lot of confidence into the final,” Bergh added.

The 2022 Currie Cup final in Kimberley. Photo: Morgan Piek

“We know the previous results aren’t going to mean much, and the Pumas will be ready for us. They know that they won the Currie Cup in 2022 and they won the 2026 SA Cup here this year, but our players are really, really driven and really want to win the Currie Cup for the people of Kimberley, in front of them this weekend.”

The stage is therefore set for a fascinating rematch in Kimberley, with history, bragging rights and the Currie Cup trophy all on the line.

Saturday’s highly anticipated Currie Cup final at Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley kicks off at 15:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm