The Griquas coach, Pieter Bergh, has contacted several star Varsity Cup players and these include Prince Nkabinde who played for UJ, Sango Xamlashe who captained Tuks to the 2021, and Derik Pretorius.

Pretorius played under Bergh for the CUT Ixias and has been playing rugby in Russia for the past few months.

One of the more interesting signings is that of the former Junior Springbok and Toyota Cheetahs winger, Luther Obi, who has been at the Pumas for the past two years.

Pretorius told OFM Sport that he is happy to be back in South Africa and looks forward to working with some of his former teammates at the Griquas.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity here at the Griquas. It’s nice to be back in the country and to see familiar faces here in Kimberley is also nice.

“It’s a great group of friends and we are hoping for the best at the Griquas.”

In 2021, the Griquas made the semi-finals of the Currie Cup.

Full Griquas squad: Props - Andrew Beerwinkel, Kudzwai Dube, Edward Davids, Janu Botha, Andries Schutte, Andrew Kuhn, Justin Forwood

Hookers - Janco Uys, HJ Luus, Tiaan van der Merwe, Alandré van Rooyen

Locks - Mzwanele Zito, Jeandré Leonard, Jaco Willemse, Derik Pretorius, Michael Amiras, Cameron Lindsay

Loose Forwards - Niel Otto, Hanru Sirgel, Luyolo Dapula, Sibablo Qoma, Ruan Steenkamp, Carl Els

Scrumhalves - Stefan Ungerer, Raegan Oranje, Johan Mulder

Flyhalves - George Whitehead, Theo Boshoff

Centres - Johnathan Francke, André Swarts, Jan-Louis La Grange, Jay-Cee Nel, Sango Xamlashe, Chris Hollis

Wings - Munier Hartzenberg, Prince Nkabinde, Nathan Nkutu, Luther Obi

Fullbacks - Alex-Ander du Plessis, Masixole Banda, Ahslon Davids

Coaching Staff: Head Coach – Pieter Bergh, Assistant Coach – Barend Pieterse, Assistant Coach – Brendell Brandt, Assistant Coach – Wian du Preez, Team Doctor – James Stander, Team Doctor – Eduan Bosman, Head of High Performance – Jacques du Toit, Performance Analyst – Mervyn Bean, Physio Therapist – Marde de Bruyn, Biokineticist – Ansone Hugo, Manager – Lance Salter.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport