Defending champions Suzuki Griquas will host the Airlink Pumas in the 2026 Carling Currie Cup final at Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley on Saturday, 12 September, with kick-off at 15:00.
The match is a repeat of the 2022 final on the same ground, when the Pumas claimed their first title with a 26-19 win. Griquas enter as favourites after topping the log and thrashing the Lions 52-12 in the semi-finals. Coach Pieter Bergh has adopted an all-out attack mindset, aiming to use home advantage and their powerful pack to control the game.
The Pumas reached the final with a narrow 27-24 victory over the Cheetahs, sealed by a late Clinton Swart penalty. Jimmy Stonehouse’s side will look to disrupt Griquas’ rhythm with physical defence and opportunistic attacks.
Teams
Suzuki Griquas:
15 Stefan Coetzee, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 11 Sako Makata, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Bobby Alexander, 8 Carl Els, 7 Marco de Witt, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen, 5 Albert Liebenberg (captain), 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 IG Prinsloo, 2 Tiaan Lange, 1 Leon Lyons.
Replacements: 16 Janco Uys, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Ntobeko Shezi, 19 Derik Pretorius, 20 Carel van der Merwe, 21 Jack Hart, 22 Liam Koen, 23 Connor Mahoney.
Airlink Pumas:
15 Tino Swanepoel, 14 Darren Adonis, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Lundi Msenge, 10 Clinton Swart, 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Willie Engelbrecht (captain), 7 Ruwald van der Merwe, 6 Ntsika Fisanti, 5 Tiaan de Klerk, 4 JJ Scheepers, 3 Sampie Swiegers, 2 Gustav du Rand, 1 Kudzwai Dube.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Etienne Janeke, 18 Junior Banda, 19 Andre Goedhals, 20 De Wet Marais, 21 Conor van Eden, 22 Nevaldo Fleurs, 23 Jaycee Nel.
Griquas will rely on Whitehead’s game management and the forward power of Oosthuizen and de Witt, while the Pumas will look to Engelbrecht’s leadership and Swart’s boot. The final will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
