Coach Pieter Bergh has named an unchanged matchday 23 for the championship decider against the reigning SA Cup champions. Five players in the Griquas squad featured in the 2022 final, when the Pumas stunned the hosts 26–19 to lift the Sir Donald Currie Trophy.

They are George Whitehead, Derik Pretorius, Eddie Davids, Janco Uys and Ig Prinsloo. Four years ago, Prinsloo was on the Pumas’ side, while all five of the aforementioned players featured in last year’s historic final, when the Griquas edged the Lions at the death at Ellis Park to lift the title for the first time in 55 years.

George Whitehead during the 2025 Currie Cup final at the Ellis Park. Photo: Morgan Piek

Whitehead, who landed the all-important penalty for that famous victory, will reach another significant milestone on Saturday when he plays his 150th game for the Peacock Blues.

Last year’s final was played on the birthday of his late father, making Saturday’s occasion even more poignant. There could hardly be a more fitting way for the Griquas stalwart to mark his 150th appearance than by helping his side lift the Currie Cup on home soil.

Bergh told OFM Sport 37-year-old Whitehead is a true stalwart of Griquas rugby, with the needs of the team always taking precedence over his own.

“George himself said this week he doesn’t want it to be bigger than the game already is,” said Bergh.

“It’s just the man he is. He wants it to be about the team and not himself. If the team wins, then he’ll be happy. If the team doesn’t win, I don’t think he’ll be a happy man.

Derik Pretorius is playing in his third final for the Griquas. At CUT he played under coach Pieter Bergh. Photo: Morgan Piek

“It’s just a special occasion for him. He’s a stalwart of Griquas rugby, gives everything, and he works incredibly hard.

“When you see him in training, on the field, off the field, he doesn’t look like a guy who still looks like a young guy. He’s pushing the youngsters, he drives discipline and professionalism, and he drives the standards of our team culture.

“He’s such an important part of the team. To go into this game with his experience, knowing that he’s seen this and done this before, hopefully he can take that to the field on Saturday and, again, just play to his potential.”

The Fichardt Park Alumnus Eddie Davids is playing in his third final for the Griquas and he also played under coach Pieter Bergh at CUT. Photo: Morgan Piek

On being able to select an unchanged team for the final against their bitter foes, Bergh said it is a major luxury, although several players have been unfortunate to miss out.

“Yes, definitely. There was no reason to change the team, the group that played last week. They performed really well and I’ve always been a believer in continuity.

“We look at the tactical side, but with the guys that are available, I think this is our base side. There’s always guys who are unlucky to miss out, who’ve really done well over the season.

Janco Uys is another Griquas stalwart playing in his third final. Photo: Morgan Piek

“A guy like Lungi Mbiko has done really well when we had injuries at lock. Caleb Abrams started in the Currie Cup final last year. Damian Marcus has done well for us when he’s had an opportunity. So there’s always guys who are unlucky to miss out.

“As you say, we’ve gone with continuity this week.”

Saturday’s final at the Suzuki Stadium is expected to be a sell-out, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00.

Griquas – 15 Stefan Coetzee, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 11 Sako Makata, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Bobby Alexander, 8 Carl Els, 7 Marco de Witt, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen, 5 Albert Liebenberg (captain), 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 Ig Prinsloo, 2 Tiaan Lange, 1 Leon Lyons

Replacements – 16 Janco Uys, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Notebeko Shezi, 19 Derik Pretorius, 20 Carel van der Merwe, 21 Jack Hart, 22 Liam Koen, 23 Connor Mahoney

Pumas – 15 Jay-Cee Nel, 14 Darren Adonis, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Banie Britz, 10 Clinton Swart, 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 André Goedhals, 6 Ntsika Fisanti, 5 Tiaan de Klerk, 4 JJ Scheepers, 3 Sampie Swiegers, 2 Chyle van Zyl, 1 Etienne Janeke

Replacements - 16 Gustav du Rand, 17 Zukisa Sali, 18 Junior Banda, 19 Stephan Krugel, 20 Ruwald van der Merwe, 21 Thabo Ndimande, 22 Tino Swanepoel, 23 Russwill Fredericks

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm