Ticket sales only opened on Tuesday, but demand has been fierce, with almost all the available tickets snapped up within the first half-hour.

There are still around 2,000 tickets available in the open stand, but with anticipation building rapidly, supporters are being urged to get their tickets before they miss out on what promises to be a memorable occasion.

Mannetjies Roux, Tos Smith, and Gert Scheepers won the 1970 Currie Cup final - Morgan Piek

Saturday’s clash will be only the third Currie Cup final to be staged in Kimberley in 56 years, following previous showdowns in 1970 and 2022.

The Griquas created history in the 1970 final when they famously edged Northern Transvaal 11-9, while the most recent final in Kimberley four years ago ended in heartbreak for the home side as the Pumas stunned the Griquas 26-19.

This time around, the Griquas return to their home ground as defending champions, having lifted the trophy last season, and they will be determined to give the Kimberley faithful something to celebrate.

Griquas CEO Arni van Rooyen told OFM Sport that ticket sales have exceeded expectations, with a capacity crowd expected at Suzuki Stadium on Saturday.

“I just want to say a big thank you to all the Griquas supporters for your fantastic support so far ahead of Saturday’s Currie Cup final against the Pumas,” said Van Rooyen.

“After the ticket offices opened, almost all the tickets were sold within half an hour. There are still around 2,000 tickets available in the open stand.

Arni van Rooyen - Morgan Piek

“Children and students can also sit in the open stand, with tickets available to them for R50, while the standard ticket price for the open stand is R150.

“Please get your ticket as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

“Thank you very much for your support so far, and let’s make it a great day on Saturday!”

For Griquas vice-captain and powerful centre Mnombo Zwelendaba, the occasion represents the culmination of months of hard work.

Zwelendaba, who scored a try in last year’s historic Currie Cup final victory over the Lions at Ellis Park, knows the significance of playing another final in front of the Kimberley faithful.

“From the beginning of the season, we really wanted to attack this competition and not hold back,” said Zwelendaba.

“To now get another home final is really special. We know it was tough to do it away from home, and it will definitely be tough again, but it would be nice to do it for the people of Kimberley at home.

Mnombo Zwelendaba - Morgan Piek

“Definitely, we can’t look at the past. It’s a final, and anyone can show up in a final.

“The most important thing is who is more desperate on the day, so that’s our focus. It doesn’t matter who is opposite you – when it’s a final, everyone wants to win.

“They will definitely be desperate, and we will be desperate too.”

With a trophy on the line, a packed stadium expected and the memory of the 2022 defeat still fresh, Kimberley is set for another chapter in the Griquas-Pumas rivalry.

Saturday’s Currie Cup final between the Suzuki Griquas and Pumas at Suzuki Stadium kicks off at 15:00.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport