Preview: Currie Cup prelim, Round 4
The Griquas will be aiming to stretch their lead on top of the Currie Cup qualifying table, when they travel to Welkom on Saturday to play against the Griffons.
The Kimberley-based team is the only unbeaten team left in the qualifying rounds, after they defeated their closest rivals, the Leopards, by a single point last weekend during the third round.
The Griquas lead the current standings by two points over the Leopards, who will not be in action this coming Saturday.
Griffons enjoyed a bye last weekend and the Welkom outfit should prove to be a handful on their home ground, especially after the Griquas just managed to edge Leopards in a bruising encounter last weekend.
Griquas will be without lock Hilton Lobberts, while the team has also undergone several other changes. Willem Serfontein, older brother of Springbok centre Jan, will fill the gap at lock. The log leaders have a well-drilled pack with No.8 Danie Schoeman and lock Jonathan Adendorf always prominent, while halfbacks Francois Brummer (flyhalf) and Dustin Jinka (No.9) will be looking to feed their backs with quality possession.
Neighbours Boland Cavaliers and SWD Eagles will lock horns in a derby encounter at the Boland Stadium in Wellington. The visitors from George will be looking to rebound with a positive display after losing their previous encounter 34-52 at home against the Falcons.
The Cavaliers, on the other hand, will be out to build on their momentum following their convincing 37-12 win over Border. The victory was Boland’s first in three attempts and the Wellington-based team will be aiming to have a similar good start as they did last weekend in East London.
Boland have a lively backline with fullback Eric Zana and wings Earl Lewis and Arno Fortuin dangerous on the attack. SWD also have speedsters out wide and a feature of the match will no doubt be the battle of Alshaun Bock and Anver Venter (SWD wings) against the home team’s speedy backline. A tight battle is however expected between the two sets of forwards.
In the remaining match Falcons play host to bottom of the log Border Bulldogs in Kempton Park, Johannesburg. Falcons have scored ten tries in their previous two matches while Border could manage only three. The East London side will have to show much improvement on defence to keep the Falcons from a free-scoring afternoon.
Currie Cup qualifiers – Round Four
Saturday, June 28
Boland Cavaliers v SWD
Venue: Boland Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 15.00
Griffons v Griquas
Venue: North West Stadium, Welkom
Kick-off: 15.00
Falcons v Border Bulldogs
Venue: Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park
Kick-off: 15.00
