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GRIQUAS WANT THIS ONE TO BE MEMORABLE

Winless, but gutsy Griquas determined to put in a big performanc­e against a dangerous Cheetahs team

- DAVE ALEXANDER

TAFEL Lager Griquas are preparing for their final match of the season when they will host the Toyota Cheetahs at Tafel Lager Park tomorrow at 4.30pm.

The Kimberley team have been hard at work sorting out the mistakes from their last outing when they were trounced 47-19 by the Cell C Sharks in Durban.

Comments from former Griqua players though not scathing, hint that the current crop of Griqua players can improve quite a bit. The past Griqua greats have suggested that the team makes unnecessar­y mistakes. For example attempting ‘chip kicks’ from inside their own 22-metre area; this is very dangerous and high risk.

The Griqua defence line needs to improve greatly as does their discipline, but their lack of communicat­ion, according to some former players, needs a lot of work.

There were shining lights in the line-up though.flanker, Gideon van der Merwe and scrumhalf Zak Burger had a good game in Durban.

Reading through comments on the Griqua social media group, one strong sentiment suggested that there was an establishe­d Griqua culture and that players who came to Kimberley from other unions should buy into this culture, but for now, for the team as they stand, they have to get back to the drawing board and sharpen their basics and keep it simple.

Griqua head coach Scott Mathie told the DFA ahead of their final Carling Currie Cup fixture that the team are looking to make this a game to remember.

“Just a final game of the 2020 season for us and looking to make this last one a memorable one. We were disappoint­ed with our performanc­e in Durban so it is important that we make amends for that.

“This weekend we have obviously got to focus on our breakdown, which wasn’t good enough for the Sharks so that is important.

“And we know what to expect from the Cheetahs, as they like to play at a quick tempo and that is important that defensivel­y we are very abrasive in the tackle and we are able to give a lot of width, scan and make sure we eliminate their threats,” Mathie said.

“With all the rain we have had during this week and by the end of the week it should be drying out hopefully so we also

need to start asserting our tempo and our control of that tempo on the Cheetahs too. We are also looking to get some good ball for us to play from a good attacking platform from which to work,” he added.

Then, as if to emphasise

their intent for this game, the coach repeated: “We are looking forward to the game and would like to make this last one a special one.”

Meanwhile, Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie has made five changes to their starting line-up for tomorrow’s match.

In the pack, George Cronjé will start at blindside flank ahead of Oupa Mohoje, while tighthead prop Conraad van Vuuren and hooker Marnus van der Merwe come in for Khutha Mchunu and Wilmar Arnoldi respective­ly.

In the backline, Dancan

Saal replaces Rhyno Smith on the right wing and Ruben de Haas comes in for Tian Meyer at scrumhalf.

Prop Cameron Dawson and hooker Louis van der Westhuizen have been named on the bench having recovered from injury.

The fifth-placed Cheetahs have already been ruled out of Currie Cup semi-final contention, while Griquas are still searching for their first win.

 ?? File Picture: Steve Haag/gallo Images ?? A DIFFERENT TIME: Former Griqua players have said that the current team needs to get back to the basics ahead of tomorrow’s clash against the Cheetahs at Tafel Lager Park.
File Picture: Steve Haag/gallo Images A DIFFERENT TIME: Former Griqua players have said that the current team needs to get back to the basics ahead of tomorrow’s clash against the Cheetahs at Tafel Lager Park.

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