Griquas happy to be back at home for quarter-finals
THIS is what the round-robin phase of the SuperSport Rugby Challenge was all about for the Tafel Lager Griquas – securing a home quarter-final, and bringing the knockout action right to their loyal supporters’ doorstep.
The last time Griquas had a run at home was back on April 21, when they destroyed the Cell C Sharks XV 50-33 to get their campaign in this competition off to a flyer.
Now it’s crunch time at Tafel Lager Park with the in-form Griqua team primed and ready for the Boland Cavaliers in their do or die match that kicks off at 3pm tomorrow afternoon.
It is noteworthy that Griquas have been in storming form in this competition, winning almost all their games, bar that single-point loss to the Free State XV at the Impala Rugby Football Club Stadium in Rustenburg back in May.
Griquas have, in the interim, overturned that result when they beat the Free State team 27-19 in their own backyard earlier this month.
Otherwise it’s been a one way street for the Peacock Blues as they raked in win after win everywhere they played.
This quarter-final game is significant for all eight teams who find themselves in the knockout stage for the obvious reason that a loss this weekend will send them packing, and good news for the supporters is that Griquas are not planning to stop their winning run yet.
Speaking to the DFA yesterday Griquas head coach Peter Engledow called on Griqua fans to pitch up in their numbers to support the team and cheer them on tomorrow afternoon.” I hope lots of people turn up for our game tomorrow,” he said. “We are excited about playing at home.”
The coach went on to say that for the team every game is a final from now on. “For now we have to get through Boland before we even think of our next game,” he explained.
Engledow remarked that there would be no unpleasant surprises for their supporters should the squad “stick to the detail” and execute their various disciplines and skills according to plan.
Boland have ended their roundrobin series just behind the defending champions Western Province. But their position should not be reason for complacency as the Cavaliers have dealt with some strong opponents in that conference and they deserved their play-off berth.
In other action, tomorrow’s clutch of games will see ICollege Pumas square up against the Vodacom Blue Bulls at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit starting at 12.30pm.
The Griquas vs Boland game is at 3pm, while on Sunday the Cell C Sharks will take to the field against the Xerox Golden Lions in Durban in a match starting at 1pm, with Western Province hosting the Free State XV at 3pm.