Olivier, who has been impressive since joining the Cheetahs from Russia last year forms an impressive loose trio along with Jeandré Rudolph and Gideon van der Merwe.

Oliver linked up with the Cheetahs just weeks after the conclusion of the Currie Cup in 2022 and he is yet to play in the world’s oldest and toughest domestic competition.

Olivier, who earned man of the match performance against the Griquas in the Toyota Challenge last year, has only ever played in the Currie Cup 1st Division for the Falcons.

The Cheetahs coach, Hawies Fourie, told OFM Sport that it’s amazing that the player hasn’t played in the tournament before and that he wished they had signed Olivier earlier.

“It is amazing, he played in the B Division for the Falcons for quite a number of years and then he left and played in Russia, said Fourie.

“I said to someone a few weeks ago, it's a pity that we didn't know about him a bit earlier, because he's close to 31-years-old. He is so fit and strong, so he will be able to play for another five years at least, but he's a quality player and works really hard.

“He's a good team guy as well, so he will definitely do well in the Currie Cup.”

Recently the hard-working Olivier, who is equally comfortable playing lock, told OFM Sport that it’s been a life-long dream to play in the Currie Cup.

“It is every boys dream to play for a big union and to play in the oldest domestic rugby tournament in the world,” said the player with a big engine.

“It's not just the oldest domestic tournament, it is also the toughest domestic tournament. I'm very excited and I cannot way to add that achievement to my rugby CV if I can put it that way.

“It has been a life-long dream for me.”

 ALSO READ: Olivier excited ahead of debut Currie Cup season

Meanwhile, on the Cheetahs side, Daniel Kasende, Munier Hartzenberg, Gideon van der Merwe, Victor Sekekete and Mzwanele Zito are all former Griquas. On the flip side of the coin, Rosko Specman, Luther Obi, George Whitehead and Malcolm Jaer are former Cheetahs.

Friday afternoon’s central derby between the Griquas and Cheetahs in Kimberley kicks off at 16:00.

Griquas - 15 Jay-Cee Nel, 14 Rosko Specman, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Luther Obi, 10 Lubabalo Dobela, 9 Johan Mulder, 8 Janco Venter, 7 Stephan Smit, 6 Niel Otto (captain), 5 Derik Pretorius, 4 Albert Liebenberg, 3 Janu Botha, 2 Janco Uys, 1 Kudzwai Dube.

Replacements - 16 Gustav du Rand, 17 Cebo Dlamini, 18 Junior Banda, 19 Johan Retief, 20 Carl Els, 21 Bobby Alexander, 22 George Whitehead, 23 Malcolm Jaer.

Cheetahs - 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Munier Hartzenberg, 10 Reinhardt Fortuin, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Friedle Olivier, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Hencus van Wyk, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Schalk Ferreira.

Replacements - 16 Chucky van der Westhuizen, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Beertjie van Vuuren, 19 Mzwanele Zito, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Evardi Boshoff, 23 Cohen Jasper.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport