Griquas coach Pieter Bergh has made just one injury-enforced change for Saturday’s Currie Cup final against the Lions at Ellis Park.
Concussion will keep lock Malembe Mpofu out of the clash, so Derik Pretorius will wear the No 4 jersey.
Janco Uys is retained as starting hooker despite Griquas’ lineout woes in the first half of their semi-final against the Cheetahs. He was then replaced by Tiaan Lange just before half-time.
But Bergh says it was never a consideration to drop Uys.
“We never even discussed it. We have full confidence in Janco. When things don’t go well in the lineouts, it’s always the hooker that cops the blame. I think he maybe had two bad throws, but all seven lineout losses can’t just be placed at the hooker’s feet.”
BERGH: Griquas have key to unlock Lions
With Griquas chasing their first Currie Cup triumph in 55 years, Bergh says there appears to be a quiet confidence among the players.
“To be honest, it doesn’t feel like a week leading up to a final, which I think is a good thing. The players aren’t making too big of a deal of it. I get the feeling the guys have belief in themselves. We know we can get the job done without kicking up too much of a fuss about it.”
Bergh and four players – Uys, Prinsloo, flyhalf George Whitehead and loosehead prop Eddie Davids – are the only survivors from the 2022 final they lost to the Pumas at home.
Kick-off is at 3pm.
GRIQUAS – 15 Cameron Hufke, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 11 Gurshwin Wehr, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Caleb Abrahams, 8 Gustav Erlank, 7 Carl Els, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen, 5 Albert Liebenberg, 4 Derik Pretorius, 3 Cebo Dlamini (c), 2 Janco Uys, 1 Eddie Davids.
Bench: 16 Tiaan Lange, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Ig Prinsloo, 19 Marco de Witt, 20 Phumzile Maqondwana, 21 Thomas Bursey, 22 Tom Nel, 23 Connor Mahoney.
Photo: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images
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