The Griquas are expecting nothing less than a hard and physical battle when they face the Pumas in Nelspruit in the final of the Airlink Cup.

The Griquas topped the log after going through the tournament unbeaten, but they are mindful of the fact that they just edged the Pumas during the first round in Welkom.

The Peacock Blues have picked their strongest possible side and are braced for physicality.

The Griquas coach, Pieter Bergh, told OFM Sport that Jimmy Stonehouse likes fielding big and physical teams.

“If you look back at the previous years when the Griquas play against the Pumas, the team who dominates the setpiece wins the match,” said Bergh.

“It's going to be an area of the game that will play a massive part in the end.

“Apart from that, we know exactly what we are going to get - their 10, 12 and 13 are probably three of the biggest backline players in South African rugby and they will try and get them over the gain line. Jimmy also always goes for a big pack.”

Saturday’s final at the Mbombela Stadium kicks off at 15:00, while at 13:00 the Griffons tackle the Leopards in the shield final.

Pumas - 15 Tino Swanepoel, 14 Etienne Taljaard, 13 Stefan Coetzee, 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Phiko Sobahle, 10 Clinton Swart, 9 Ross Braude, 8 Kwanda Dimaza, 7 Ruwald van der Merwe, 6 Jaco Labuschagne, 5 Shane Kirkwood, 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 Sampie Swiegers, 2 Llewellyn Classen, 1 Etienne Janeke.

Replacements - 16 PJ Jacobs, 17 Dewald Maritz, 18 Munashe Mhere, 19 Jeandré Leonards, 20 André Fouché, 21 Giovan Snyman, 22 Brandon Thomson, 23 Andrew Kota

Griquas - 15 Cameron Hufke, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Jay-Cee Nel, 12 Tertius Kruger, 11 Sako Makata, 10 George Whitehead (captain), 9 Bobby Alexander, 8 Carl Els, 7 Stephan Smit, 6 Thabo Ndimande, 5 Derik Pretorius, 4 Dylan Sjoblom, 3 Cebo Dlamini, 2 Janco Uys, 1 Eddie Davids,

Replacements - 16 Gustav du Rand, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Janu Botha, 19 Athi Khetani, 20 Albert Liebenberg, 21 Niel Otto, 22 Xavier Swartbooi, 23 Eddie Fouché

Morgan Piek OFM Sport