Griquas vs Lions: Currie Cup preview and prediction

The Griquas will be looking to put a disappointing Super Rugby Unlocked season behind them ahead of their clash with the Lions at Tafel Lager Park on Saturday.

The hosts did not win a single match in the tournament gone by, walking away with the wooden spoon, despite being tipped to cause an upset or two prior to the competition.

Griquas vs Lions: Currie Cup match preview

In what is a repeat of the 2019 Currie Cup semifinal, the two sides lock horns once more in their second meeting of 2020.

In their previous encounter, the Lions ran off 61-31 winners to make it five straight wins against their rivals.

For this particular clash, a strong side has been named by the visitors, who boast Springbok stars such as Willem Alberts and Jaco Kriel in their starting XV.

Despite disparities in form and quality of players, Lions coach Cash van Rooyen is expecting a touch challenge from the Griquas.

“They’re going to come at us all guns blazing,” he said. “It’s going to be a fight for 80 minutes, it’s going to be tough, but we’re excited about the challenge.”

Cash van Rooyen

Teams 

Griquas: To be announced 

Lions: EW Viljoen; Stean Pienaar, Wandisile Simelane, Burger Odendaal, Courtnall Skosan; Elton Jantjies (capt), Morné van den Berg; Len Massyn, Vincent Tshituka, Jaco Kriel, Marvin Orie, Willem Alberts, Ruan Dreyer, Jaco Visagie, Sti Sithole. Replacements Jan-Henning Campher, Dylan Smith, Wiehahn Herbst, Reinhard Nothnagel, Roelof Smit, Ross Cronjé, Dan Kriel, Tiaan Swanepoel, Jannie du Plessis, Wilhelm van der Sluys, Manuel Rass.

Kick-off, TV channel and prediction

The match between the Griquas and the Lions kicks off at 16:30 (SAST), and will be broadcast on Supersport Grandstand (201).

Prediction: Expect the Lions to have too much firepower for the struggling Griquas, enough for a comfortable victory.