The Suzuki Griquas and the Airlink Pumas lock horns in Kimberley on Saturday, September 12, at 15:00 in a repeat of the 2022 Carling Currie Cup final.

In the first of two semi-finals on Sunday afternoon, September 6, the Griquas delivered a ruthless seven-try masterclass to overpower the Lions 52-12 in Kimberley.

That was followed by a titanic battle in Bloemfontein, where the Pumas edged the Cheetahs 27-24 thanks to a powerful second-half performance.

In 2022, the Griquas won both league matches against the Pumas, 41-20 in Kimberley and 45-44 in Mbombela. This year, there was a single league round with the Griquas winning 38-21 at Mbombela Stadium.

The Pumas travelled to Kimberley as underdogs for the 2022 final. Griquas had home-ground advantage and had defeated the Pumas twice already in that year’s Currie Cup campaign.

But the Pumas dug deep, beating the home team 26-19 to win their first-ever Currie Cup Premier Division title.

Form guide favours home side

The Griquas have been the form team of the season. They finished top of the log, losing only one match.

The men from Kimberley have scored 47 tries and conceded 22 in their eight matches.

The Pumas have scored 32 tries and conceded 32 in eight games.

Playing at home, the Griquas are once again overwhelming favourites, but the history of 2022 and the match played in 2026 count for nothing come kick-off on Saturday. All that matters is the 80 minutes on the Suzuki Stadium pitch.

The Pumas have played some excellent rugby this season. If their defence is solid and discipline is strong, an upset is possible.

They have to dig deep one more time to play for each other and their fans.

The Pumas’ only remaining player from the 2022 final is captain Willie Engelbrecht.

Ig Prinsloo also played for the Pumas in the 2022 final. On Saturday he will represent Griquas.

Flyhalf Clinton Swart will be playing his 50th Pumas match in the final.

Teams

Suzuki Griquas
1. Leon Lyons
2. Tiaan Lange
3. Ig Prinsloo
4. Malembe Mpofu
5. Albert Liebenberg
6. Lourens Oosthuizen
7. Marco de Witt
8. Carl Els
9. Bob Alexander
10. George Whitehead
11. Sako Makata
12. Mnombo Zwelendba
13. Zane Bester
14. Dylan Maart
15. Stefan Coetzee
16. Janco Uys
17. Eddie Davids
18. Ntobeko Shezi
19. Derik Pretorius
20. Carel van der Merwe
21. Jack Hart
22. Liam Koen
23. Stefan Coetzee

Airlink Pumas
1 Etienne Janeke
2. Chyle van Zyl
3. Sampie Swiegers
4. JJ Scheepers
5. Tiaan de Klerk
6. Ntsika Fisanti
7. André Goedhals
8. Willie Engelbrecht (C)
9. Thomas Bursey
10. Clinton Swart
11. Banie Britz
12. Wian van Niekerk
13: Sango Xamlashe
14. Darren Adonis
15. Jay-cee Nel
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

Pumas clinch thriller in Bloemfontein

In the second semi-final staged in Bloemfontein on Sunday, the Airlink Pumas followed up their big league win the previous week over the Toyota Cheetahs with a hard-fought 27-24 victory.

The Cheetahs dominated the first half and led 10-3 thanks to a try scored by flanker Ramon Uys, while flyhalf Jaco van der Walt added the conversion and a penalty goal.

Swart slotted a penalty goal for their only points in the opening half, but a Darren Adonis try in the corner just after half-time, converted by Swart, levelled the scores at 10-10 as the visitors gave an indication of their determination and fighting spirit.

Pumas flanker André Goedhals then went over for their second try, again converted by Swart, as the men from Mpumalanga wrestled the lead away from the home side, 17-10.

But the Bloemfontein outfit hit back with a powerful converted maul try through hooker Marko Janse van Rensburg and the teams were once more level at 17-17. Ten minutes later, the Pumas showed their grit when replacement hooker Gustav du Rand scored their third try off a great maul, with Swart once more clinical off the tee to stretch the score 24-17 in their favour.

That lead barely lasted a few minutes when Carel-Jan Coetzee broke through in midfield to score under the posts. Van der Walt converted to once more draw the sides level, at 24-24, with just under 10 minutes remaining.

Soon after that, the Cheetahs’ defence strayed offside, handing Swart an easy second penalty goal as the Pumas regained their lead at 27-24.

Minutes later, the Cheetahs turned down a kickable penalty goal and elected to go for an attacking lineout and maul. The Pumas showed their defensive steel when they not only stopped the maul but also overturned the ball to clinch a remarkable win.