The clash will be only the third Currie Cup final played in the city since 1970, with the most recent coming in 2022, when the Griquas went down 26-19 to the very same Pumas.

That was in the first year of Pieter Bergh’s tenure as Griquas coach, and he has since gone on to build arguably the most formidable non-franchise rugby team in South Africa. The Griquas are also the defending champions.

Sango Xamlashe was the Griquas captain in the 2022 final, and on Saturday he plays for the Pumas - Morgan Piek

Earlier this year, the Pumas edged the Griquas 38-35 in Kimberley, becoming the first team to successfully defend the Currie Cup.

More recently, however, the Griquas turned the tables in emphatic fashion, thrashing the Pumas 38-14 in Nelspruit during the round-robin stage. That victory secured a home semi-final for the Northern Cape side and set them on the road to Saturday’s championship decider.

But as far as the Griquas are concerned, those results are now water under the bridge. The only thing that matters is the next 80 minutes between the four lines.

Bergh told OFM Sport that the 2022 final is now a distant memory and that his team has grown considerably since then.

“To be honest with you, firstly, we haven’t spoken about ’22. This is a totally new group. We’ve got a new forward coach, Franco van der Merwe, who also wasn’t here in ’22.

“But since then, over the last three years, we’ve played in five finals. This is our fifth final. We’ve played three SA Cup finals, we played the Currie Cup final last year, and last year’s semi-final against the Cheetahs was a sold-out stadium.

There was an electric atmosphere during the 2022 final in Kimberley - Morgan Piek

“So I don’t think it’s new for this group. You know, 2022 was something new. It was the first sold-out stadium, the first Currie Cup final, and my first final in my first year at Griquas. I think so much has changed since then.”

Bergh believes his side will be far more switched on this weekend, with the players determined to repay their fiercely loyal supporters by lifting the Currie Cup on home soil.

“I’ve got no doubt that the guys will pitch up this week,” Bergh added.

“I said to them this week, if they can pitch up for a Currie Cup final at Ellis Park, there’s no reason why they can’t pitch up for a Currie Cup final at home.

“So, no, experience is key. We’ve got a lot of players who, obviously, the core of our squad, played in last year’s final and dealt with that pressure amazingly well.

“Even though all the distractions that the home team have with tickets, people wanting to stay with you, and all that other stuff that comes from everyone wanting to come and stay with you and looking for accommodation and tickets the whole time, we’ve tried to manage that this week.

“I think we’re in a good space.”

The 2025 Currie Cup champions - Morgan Piek

With a packed Suzuki Stadium expected to provide an electric atmosphere, there are still limited tickets available for Saturday’s showpiece, so supporters are urged to get theirs now to avoid disappointment.

Kick-off at the Suzuki Stadium is at 15:00 on Saturday.

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 (captain), 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

Morgan Piek OFM Sport