Griquas forwards coach Franco van der Merwe says the defending champions have prepared for all scenarios in Saturday’s Currie Cup final against the Pumas.
Griquas booked a home final with a commanding 52-12 semi-final win against the Lions in wet conditions in Kimberley, while the Pumas edged the Cheetahs 27-24 in Bloemfontein.
Although better weather is forecast for the title decider, recent rain could leave the Griqua Park surface softer than usual.
“From what we’ve seen from the Lions and obviously looking at the weather, we started preparing for [rain] on Monday already,” Van der Merwe told OFM Sport.
“Piet [head coach Pieter Bergh] prepped us really well, playing with different scenarios.
“Luckily, we didn’t have that terrible, terrible wind, which I think would have made things really interesting. A lot of the players we have are used to this type of weather.
“Guys like myself coming from the Northern Cape aren’t used to so much rain, but a lot of guys from the Boland area and Cape Town, close to the coast, are probably a bit more used to the rain and wind.”
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Van der Merwe said it would take a “team effort” to beat the Pumas.
“Sometimes it makes things easier for the forwards when the backs give us good go-forward, especially when we have a good kicking game. Then the forwards are in the game and we get a lot of energy from that.
“Likewise, if we can give the forwards good set-piece ball to showcase their skills and show what they can do.
“I think we work really well together as a team.”
Saturday’s final kicks off at 3pm.
Photo: Gallo Images
The post Griquas hoping for dry decider appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Griquas forwards coach Franco van der Merwe says the defending champions have prepared for all scenarios in Saturday’s Currie Cup final against the Pumas.
The post Griquas hoping for dry decider appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
