The second Carling Currie Cup semi-final pits two of the competition's most consistent performers against each other, when Suzuki Griquas host the Toyota Cheetahs in Kimberley at 19:15 (SA Time).
Both have been in good form for much of the season, and their neighbourly rivalry adds an extra layer of intensity to this knock-out encounter.
Griquas have the better run-in of the two teams, winning five consecutive games after a first-round loss. This run of form saw them rise to the top of the log before their final-round defeat to the Lions. Despite the setback, their home ground advantage in Kimberley should be a key factor.
Suzuki Stadium has been a formidable venue for visiting teams – Griquas’ last defeat at their home ground was more than a year ago against the Lions, and the team from the Diamond City will look to make home ground advantage count to book their spot in next weekend’s final.
Equally, the Cheetahs also had a strong season. Four wins allowed them to finish tied on 23 points with the Kavaliers to clinch third place in the standings due to a superior points’ differential. However, their form has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride, with big wins and close-fought losses.
Furthermore, Frans Steyn’s Free Staters will be looking to bounce back from a narrow 35-31 away defeat to the Vodacom Bulls in their final league encounter. A late surge in last weekend’s exciting game showed their typical fighting spirit, and they will need every bit of that resilience against a good Griquas outfit.
Their Carling Currie Cup head-to-head record in the last five seasons is closely contested, with each team securing four wins, plus a drama-filled draw in the last nine encounters between them, which points to another tight, exciting battle on the cards.
Suzuki Griquas head coach Pieter Bergh made one change to the starting line-up. Cameron Hufke gets rewarded for his brilliance against the Cheetahs two weeks ago, replacing Connor Mahoney at fullback, who drops to the bench.
Toyota Cheetahs coach Frans Steyn made one change to the starting line-up from last weekend's game against the Vodacom Bulls, with Clayton Blommetjie, who moves from fullback to flyhalf, replacing the injured Franco Smith. Michael Annies will be wearing the number 15 jersey, and Ali Mgijima will provide cover on the bench.
Teams:
Suzuki Griquas: 15 Cameron Hufke, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Mnombo Zwelenedaba, 11 Gurswin Wehr, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Caleb Abrahams, 8 Gustav Erlank, 7 Carl Els, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen, 5 Albert Liebenberg, 4 Malembe Mpofu, 2 Cebo Dlamini (c), 2 Janco Uys, 1 Eddie Davids. Replacements: 16 Tiaan Lange, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 IG Prinsloo, 19 Derik Pretorius, 20 Marco de Witt, 21 Thomas Bursey, 22 Tom Nel, Connor Mahoney.
Toyota Cheetahs: 15 Michael Annies, 14 Prince Nkabinde, 13 Marco Janse van Vuren, 12 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 11 Cohen Jasper, 10 Clayton Blommetjies, 9 Jandré Nel, 8 Neels Volschenk, 7 Pierre Raymond Uys, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (c), 4 Juan Venter, 3 Frankie Dos Reis, 2 Marko Jansen van Rensburg, 1 Cameron Dawson. Replacements: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Tielman Niewoudt, 18 John Kelly Okonkwo, 19 Sisonke Vumazonke, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Ali Mgijima, 23 Banie Britz.
