The Griquas and Pumas are set to battle it out for SA Cup dominance when the two rivals collide in the final of the competition at Griqua Park in Kimberley on Saturday evening (kick-off 6:30pm).
This is the third edition of the SA Cup and the third time these two teams have met in the final, with Griquas and Pumas boasting one title each, while the side from Mbombela are the defending champs after triumphing last year.
However the Griquas will be slight favourites heading into the final, after a dominant pool phase and semifinal win, but the Pumas haven’t been far behind them.
The Griquas won eight of their nine matches in the pool stage, all with bonus points, and would have gone through to the knockouts unbeaten if they didn’t slip up against the Cheetahs in their final pool match, losing 32-31 after missing a conversion after the hooter to win.
Back to best
But they looked back to their best in their semifinal against the Boland Cavaliers, despite being locked 28-all at halftime, they found another gear in the second half and powered away to a very comfortable 59-35 win.
On the Pumas front they won seven of their nine pool matches, with their only defeat coming against the Griquas, while their game against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein was called off because of lightning.
But they got a second crack at them in the semis, at the Mbombela Stadium, and were pushed all the way before emerging with a 42-36 win.
In their pool clash, which was also in Kimberley, the Griquas outscored the Pumas six tries to five to clinch and entertaining 44-34 win.
Both teams know each other extremely well, and the final should be a game of small margins, with either side able to walk away with the win.
