Griquas are chasing a piece of history in Wellington against the Boland Cavaliers on Sunday, with a first-place finish in the Currie Cup league phase on the line.
The defending champions have not finished top of the Currie Cup standings since 1998 and will know exactly what they need to do after the Cheetahs complete their campaign against the Pumas in Mbombela on Saturday.
SHARKS COACH: We’ve done what we can
Both teams currently have 26 points and have already secured semi-final places, but Griquas coach Pieter Bergh wants his side to retain top spot and secure home advantage should they reach the final.
“We want to finish first. That’s why we selected the best possible team we could,” Bergh told Netwerk24.
“We also want to maintain our winning momentum heading into the playoffs.”
Standing in their way are a Boland side with everything to play for. The Cavaliers can still qualify for the semi-finals and have already faced Griquas three times this year, losing both previous meetings in Wellington.
“We know they will be determined and that they will come with everything to make sure this isn’t their last game of the season,” Bergh said.
RECAP: Lions keep semi-final hopes alive
Griquas have been boosted by the returns of lock and captain Albert Liebenberg and his second-row partner Malembe Mpofu.
George Whitehead drops to the bench as he is managed following a heel problem, with Liam Koen starting at flyhalf.
There is also a milestone for Marco de Witt, who will make his 50th appearance.
Boland have their own centurion, with lock Marlyn Williams set to make his 100th appearance for the Cavaliers.
Thurlow Marsh returns at No 8 and takes over the captaincy, with Sibusiso Sangweni moving to flank.
TEAM: Cheetahs revamp pack for catfight
BOLAND – 15 Domenic Smit, 14 Xavier Mitchell, 13 Lunathi Nxele, 12 Jurick Lewis, 11 Jayden Bantom, 10 Ashlon Davids, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Thurlow Marsh (c), 7 Sibusiso Sangweni, 6 Gift Dlamini, 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Johnré Stopforth, 3 Heiko Pohlmann, 2 Joshua Eras, 1 Mthokozisi Gumede.
Bench: 16 Darnelle Osuagwu, 17 Alistair Vermaak, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Jeandré Leonard, 20 Kwanda Dimaza, 21 Bentley Geldenhuys, 22 Chris Smit, 23 James Tedder.
GRIQUAS – 15 Stefan Coetzee, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 11 Gurswin Wehr, 10 Liam Koen, 9 Bobby Alexander, 8 Carl Els, 7 Marco de Witt, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen, 5 Albert Liebenberg (c), 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 Ig Prinsloo, 2 Tiaan Lange, 1 Leon Lyons.
Bench: 16 Janco Uys, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Ntobeko Shezi, 19 Derik Pretorius, 20 Carel van der Merwe, 21 Jack Hart, 22 George Whitehead, 23 Saku Makata.
Photo: Danie Van Der Lith/Gallo Images
The post Griquas refuse to settle for second appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Griquas are chasing a piece of history in Wellington against the Boland Cavaliers on Sunday, with a first-place finish in the Currie Cup league phase on the line.
The post Griquas refuse to settle for second appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
