Griquas lose two key locks before Currie Cup clash with Pumas

Defending Currie Cup champions Griquas will be without both of their regular locks when they face the Pumas in Nelspruit on Friday. Captain Albert Liebenberg and Malembe Mpofu have been ruled out of the penultimate match of the league phase because of injuries.

Liebenberg hurt his ribs during last weekend’s meeting with the Sharks XV. His absence is expected to last one match, with a possible return against Boland in Wellington next week. Mpofu’s shoulder problem is more serious and may keep him out for the rest of Griquas’ campaign.

Derik Pretorius and Lungisa Mbiko will therefore start together in the second row. Lourens Oosthuizen also comes into the starting side at openside flank, while centre Zwelendaba takes over the captaincy from Liebenberg.

The match has a direct bearing on Griquas’ push for home advantage in the semi-finals. A bonus-point win in Nelspruit would secure that position, giving the defending champions a clear incentive despite the disruption to their pack.

Coach Pieter Bergh views the loss of the two locks as a significant setback. He expects Liebenberg to be available again soon but remains uncertain about Mpofu’s recovery, with the shoulder injury potentially ending the lock’s season.

Stefan Coetzee starts at fullback behind a backline featuring Dylan Maart, Zane Bester, Zwelendaba and Gurswin Wehr. George Whitehead and Bobby Alexander continue at fly-half and scrum-half, while Carl Els and Marco de Witt join Oosthuizen in the loose forwards. Ig Prinsloo, Tiaan Lange and Leon Lyons complete the front row.