It’s a top-of-the-log clash, and the winner is likely to secure the all-important home-ground advantage for the final, should the managed to safely navigate the upcoming semi-finals. 

The Griquas have yet to taste defeat in the competition since its inception, but they’ll need to be firing on all cylinders to keep that unbeaten run intact. The last time these two teams met in the SA Cup was back in May 2024, when the Griquas were crowned the inaugural champions after a thrilling final in Kimberley.

Sango Xamlashe now plays for the Pumas. Photo: Morgan Piek

In a major boost for the Peacock Blues, influential hooker Janco Uys is back and ready to play. Uys was initially named in the starting line-up for their recent 70–17 hammering of Eastern Province, but was pulled from the squad at the 11th hour as the medical team weren’t fully confident in his readiness after a lengthy injury lay-off.

Speaking to OFM Sport, Griquas head coach Pieter Bergh said Friday night’s fixture is, for all intents and purposes, a quarter-final, and anything less than a win could cost them the chance to host another final.

“If you want to finish top of the log and play a possible final at home, not forgetting there’s still a semi-final to get through, then this is a must-win game,” said Bergh.

“You’ve got to assume the Pumas will be favourites against both Boland and the Griffons, so we expect them to win those. That puts even more pressure on us to get the result.

“If we want to finish first, this is non-negotiable. We’ve got a few tough games still to come, but hosting the final last year was special, and we’re doing everything we can to earn that again. If we can secure a top finish, we’ll get the chance to play at home.”

“The Pumas will feel exactly the same. They’ll also be going all-out for the win. There’s a lot on the line, and it’s going to be a massive game for both sides.”

Janco Uys. Photo: Morgan Piek

Friday night’s showdown between last year’s finalists kicks off at 19:00 at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

Pumas - 15 Jaycee Nel, 14 Lundi Msenge, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Darren Adonis, 10 Clinton Swart, 9 Ross Braude, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 Ruwald van der Merwe, 6 Ntsika Fisanti, 5 Tiaan de Klerk, 4 Jeandré Leonard, 3 Sampie Swiegers, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Etienne Reyneke

Replacements - 16 Darnell Osuagwu, 17 Stephan de Jager, 18 Dewald Maritz, 19 Heinz Bertram, 20 André Fouche, 21 Kwanda Dimaza, 22 Danrich Visagie, 23 Tino Swanepoel

Griquas - 15 Cameron Hufke, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Tertius Kruger, 11 Gushwin Wehr, 10 George Whitehead (captain), 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Carl Els, 7 Marco de Witt, 6 Thabo Ndimande, 5 Albert Liebenberg, 4 Dylan Sjoblom, 3 Corné Weilbach, 2 Janco Uys, 1 Eddie Davids

Replacements - 16 Gustav du Rand, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Cebo Dlamini,19 Athenkosi Khethani, 20 Phumzile Maqondwana, 21 Bobby Alexander, 22 Tylor Sefoor, 23 Mnombo Zwelendaba

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek