Griquas vs Pumas – Saturday 12 September
Can you believe it? The Currie Cup is almost over!
After weeks of hard-hitting rugby, surprise results and some seriously impressive performances from the next generation of South African rugby talent, we have reached the big one.
The Final.
And it is a repeat of the 2022 showpiece, with the Suzuki Griquas taking on the Airlink Pumas at Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley. Kick-off is at 15:00 on Saturday, 12 September. The Griquas are the defending champions, while the Pumas are looking to lift the trophy for only the second time in their history. So, who takes home the Cup?
How they got here
The Griquas didn’t exactly sneak into the final.
They absolutely obliterated the Lions 52–12 in their semi-final, scoring seven tries and taking a huge 35–5 lead into half-time. It was a statement performance. Their forwards dominated at scrum time, their attack kept finding gaps and their kicking game kept the scoreboard ticking over. And they weren’t just beating the Lions – they were making a very loud statement that they intend to keep hold of their trophy.
The Pumas had a much tougher afternoon. They travelled to Bloemfontein and found themselves 10–3 down at half-time against the Cheetahs. But they came roaring back.
The sides were locked at 24–24 with less than 10 minutes remaining before Pumas fly-half Clinton Swart stepped up and calmly slotted the penalty that put his team 27–24 ahead. The Cheetahs had one last chance, but the Pumas held firm and forced the turnover to book their place in the final. Different routes to the final. Same destination.
The players to watch
🟦 Griquas
If you’re looking for the man pulling the strings, start with George Whitehead. The veteran fly-half has been one of the most important players in the Griquas’ campaign, combining game management with a very useful boot. He has also been one of the Currie Cup’s leading providers of try assists in 2026.
Then there is Mnombo Zwelendaba. The powerful centre has become a major part of the Griquas midfield and crossed the whitewash in the semi-final against the Lions. His ability to carry hard and break the gain line gives the Griquas another attacking weapon.
Cameron Hufke is another one to keep an eye on. Playing at fullback, his pace and attacking ability can become particularly dangerous when Griquas get turnover ball and space in behind the defence.
And don’t forget the forwards. The Griquas’ pack was absolutely dominant against the Lions, particularly at scrum time. If they can reproduce that performance, the Pumas could be in for a very long afternoon.
🩷 Pumas
For the Pumas, Clinton Swart is the obvious starting point. The fly-half was named Man of the Match against the Cheetahs and finished with 12 points, including two penalties and three conversions. In a tight final, having a kicker who can punish every defensive mistake is a very useful weapon.
Then there is Sango Xamlashe. The outside centre brings physicality and attacking ability to the Pumas backline and has featured regularly for them throughout the 2026 Currie Cup campaign. If the Pumas can get quick ball to their backs, Xamlashe and the outside runners could cause plenty of problems.
The big question: can the Pumas stop the Griquas?
This is where the betting gets interesting. The Griquas have already beaten the Pumas 38–14 this season, scoring five tries to two in Mbombela. That wasn’t a one-off either. Griquas finished the league phase top of the table and then followed it up with a 52–12 demolition of the Lions in the semi-final.
They are playing the final at home. They are the defending champions. And they are coming off a 40-point victory. That’s a pretty intimidating combination. But there is one thing the Pumas have going for them:
They know how to win ugly.
Their semi-final wasn’t pretty. It was a scrap, a battle and eventually a three-point victory. And finals aren’t won for style points.
🎰 Betting Angle: What should you look out for?
Match Winner
On current form, Griquas have to be the favourites. They finished top of the table, are defending champions, have home advantage and already beat the Pumas by 24 points this season.
Our pick: Griquas
But don’t completely write off the Pumas. Their comeback against the Cheetahs showed they have the resilience to stay in a game until the final whistle.
Winning Margin
This could be the more interesting market. Griquas have shown that they can put teams away. Their 52–12 semi-final win and 38–14 victory over the Pumas demonstrate their ability to create scoreboard pressure. However, this is a final. The Pumas won’t want another repeat of the 38–14 result and are likely to make this far more physical.
Look out for: Griquas by 1–15 points
If the Pumas can stay within touching distance, a tight finish becomes very possible.
Total Points
There are two very different possibilities here. The last meeting between these teams produced 52 total points, while the Pumas’ semi-final finished 27–24 – another 51-point game.
But Griquas’ semi-final produced a massive 64 points. So there is certainly potential for a high-scoring final. The key question is whether the Pumas can contribute enough points. If Griquas dominate territory and possession, the scoreboard could move quickly.
Look out for: Over 45.5 total points
Try Scorers
This is where things get fun. Griquas have been scoring tries for fun recently, crossing the line seven times against the Lions in the semi-final. Mnombo Zwelendaba scored in that match and is worth watching in the centre, particularly if Griquas can generate quick ball close to the Pumas’ defensive line. The Griquas’ forward pack is another obvious area to watch. Their dominance at scrum and maul time could create opportunities for close-range tries.
For the Pumas, Clinton Swart is arguably more interesting as a points scorer than a try scorer. His boot was decisive against the Cheetahs, and penalty opportunities could be crucial if the final becomes a defensive battle.
Points Scorer Watch
George Whitehead is the obvious Griquas player to keep an eye on here.
His goal-kicking gives him a route to points even if the Griquas aren’t scoring tries, while his playmaking can also put teammates into scoring positions. For the Pumas, Clinton Swart is the man to watch. He scored 12 points in the semi-final and kicked the match-winning penalty. If the final is decided by three or four points, don’t be surprised if his boot becomes the difference again.
🏆 So, who wins?
Everything points towards the Griquas. They are at home. They are the defending champions. They finished top of the league. They destroyed the Lions in the semi-final. And they already beat the Pumas 38–14 earlier in the season. That’s a lot going in one direction.
But this is a final, and finals have a funny habit of ignoring the form book.
The Pumas have already shown they can survive pressure, come from behind and win a tight game. If they can keep the Griquas’ powerful forwards under control and give Swart and their backs enough ball, they could make this very uncomfortable.
Our picks
🏆 Match Winner: Griquas
📏 Winning Margin: Griquas by 1–15 points
🔢 Total Points: Over 45.5
⭐ Player to Watch: George Whitehead
🎯 Try-Scorer Watch: Mnombo Zwelendaba
🦶 Points-Scorer Watch: Clinton Swart
🔮 Predicted Score: Griquas 31–24 Pumas
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