Unbeaten Griquas face dangerous Boland in a high-stakes SA Cup showdown at Suzuki Park

The two unbeaten powerhouses, the Suzuki Griquas and Airlink Pumas are neck and neck after four rounds of the SA Cup competition.

Both teams are unbeaten thus far on 20 points, with the Griquas well ahead on points difference. Hot on their heels, the Griffons sit third with 16 points, which is keeping the race for Carling Currie Cup qualification wide open. 

This weekend, Griquas are set to lock horns with the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers in a high-stakes showdown – Boland fighting for survival, and Griquas looking to extend their dominance and pull further ahead. 

Rugby fans and supporters of the respective teams can expect fireworks at Suzuki Park this Saturday afternoon when the match kicks off at 2pm. You can be sure that top-tier rugby will be on display in what promises to be an unmissable clash!

Speaking at a recent media press conference, Griquas head coach Pieter Bergh highlighted the significance of the upcoming game. Bergh indicated that both teams are under their own unique type of pressure, and made it clear that Saturday’s clash holds weight.

“Boland is in a situation where they need to win, so it’s a big game for them. On the other hand, if we lose, we will be under pressure with the remaining games we have,” Bergh said. 

“It’s a big game for both sides. It’s going to be a good one. We have several players who come from the Boland area, including myself, and we've had some fierce matches in the past. Last year, they were one of our toughest opponents away from home, and we know how difficult they can be to play against. 

“They’ve had two strong wins at home, but away from home, they’ve struggled. Hopefully, we can put enough pressure on them to make it difficult for them to come here, but we know it’s not going to be easy.”

The Griquas coach also admitted that his coaching counterparts have been doing an excellent job with the Kavaliers. “They’re well-coached and have invested a lot into their team and their Currie Cup ambitions, so we need to stay alert.”

In addition to the challenge awaiting in the upcoming clash against Boland, Bergh also took a moment to acknowledge the milestone of one of the team's key players, Eddie Davids. The half-centurion, who has been with the Griquas since his time at the Sharks Academy, has had a slow start to the season but will have another opportunity to shine with Cornè Lavanga’s concussion injury.

“I’ve had a great working relationship with Eddie. He’s a top player, and to see him reach this achievement (50 games) is very satisfying for him and his family. He’s had to fight off a lot of challenges, and we’re all proud of him. Hopefully, he will continue to spend many more years here at the Griquas,” Bergh told the media in attendance.

Then, looking back at the Griquas’ previous encounter against the Griffons, Bergh reflected on his team’s overall performance. “If you take out the last 20 minutes, I think we played really well,” the coach said. “At 60 minutes, the score was 50-14, and we were doing everything right – solid defence, creating opportunities in attack, and scoring well from set pieces. 

“But that last 20 minutes against the Griffons was a wake-up call. It showed us areas we still need to improve on. We hadn’t been tested in the first few weeks, and that was the moment we needed to realise where we were lacking. 

“It’s a good lesson, and we’ve been working hard to strengthen our squad. I’d rate our performance so far at about a seven-and-a-half out of 10.”

With tough games still ahead, including a trip to Nelspruit and a home fixture against the Cheetahs, Bergh is mindful that the road to the SA Cup title is far from easy. “We know the tougher games are still to come, and we’re preparing for them. EP won’t be a walkover, and we need to stay focused if we want to stay on top,” the coach cautioned.

So as Griquas prepare for their upcoming clash against Boland, fans can expect a fiercely contested match that could have significant implications for both teams’ hopes in the SA Cup. 

The atmosphere at Suzuki Park is almost guaranteed to be electric, with both sides playing for their season and their pride. And it seems as if the wet weather will take a break on Saturday, meaning a comfortable experience for the fans in the stands.