The Suzuki Griquas will host the Vodacom Bulls XV today, Saturday, 25 July 2026, in a vital Round 2 Carling Currie Cup Premier Division clash. Kick-off is scheduled for 17:05 SAST at Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley.
Both sides are desperately searching for their first win of the season after suffering disappointing opening-round defeats last weekend.
The Suzuki Griquas, who enter the match as defending champions, currently sit second from bottom on the log with just a single point. This follows a frustrating opening weekend where they surrendered a healthy lead to lose against the DHL Stormers XXIII in Cape Town. Head coach Pieter Bergh has already labelled this fixture the "most important game of the season" as the hosts look to restore their formidable home-ground reputation.
Tactically, the champions thrive on structured width and rapid ball movement. They are lethal when punishing teams out wide from broken field play or turnovers. Expect them to turn up the physical intensity early on, using an aggressive Kimberley crowd to pressure a youthful Bulls line-up.
The Vodacom Bulls XV find themselves dead last on the table with zero points. They look to bounce back after being stunned 24-10 by the Sanlam Boland Cavaliers last week. Coach Phiwe Nomlomo's young side is now under immense pressure to deliver a massive performance upgrade.
While the Griquas hold the reigning titleholder status, historical results favour the visitors. The Blue Bulls have won three of the last four encounters between these two teams, including consecutive victories during their last two trips to Kimberley.
However, with the Griquas furious about their opening-round lapse, fans can expect an incredibly tight, physical battle. If the Bulls' discipline cracks under the pressure of the Kimberley cauldron, this is a match that could easily swing in favour of the hosts.
Pundits heavily favour the Suzuki Griquas to defeat the Vodacom Bulls XV, citing their home-ground advantage and superior experience compared to the youthful Pretoria side. Leading rugby analysts and betting markets project a comfortable victory for the defending champions to get their campaign back on track.
Teams:
Suzuki Griquas: 15 Cameron Hufke, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Zane Bestee, 12 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 11 Gurswin Wehr, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Bobby Alexander, 8 Carl Els, 7 Marco de Witt, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen, 5 Albert Liebenberg (captain), 4 Lungisi Mbiko, 3 IG Prinsloo, 2 Tiaan Lange, 1 Leon Lyons. Replacements: 16 Janco Uys, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Ntobeko Shezi, 19 Carel van der Merwe, 20 Phumzile Maqondwana, 21 Caleb Abrahams, 22 Sako Makata, 23 Connor Mahoney
Vodacom Bulls XV: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Hakeem Kunene, 13 Demitre Erasmus, 12 PA van Niekerk, 11 Riyaad Bam, 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Brooklyn Newman, 8 JJ Theron, 7 Cephas van Biljon, 6 Nama Xaba (captain), 5 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Dian Coeztee, 2 Shaun Schürmann, 1 Dylan Smith. Replacements: 16 Jaundre Schoeman, 17 Damian Baker, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Abongile Nonkontwana, 20 Thomas Beling, 21 Neil Le Roux, 22 Viaan Mentoor, 23 JJ Motlhodi.