When the structure of the Currie Cup was changed this year, the qualification process changed too. The top five teams from the 2013 competition automatically qualified (these teams were the Bulls, the Sharks, the Lions, the Cheetahs and Western Province). The top two teams from the First Division tournament filled up the next two slots (the Pumas and the EP Kings). The Pumas qualified by virtue of winning the promotion/relegation series against the Griquas and the Kings gained automatic qualification to give them an easier glide path into their re-introduction to Super Rugby in 2016.
2014 Griquas Currie Cup Preview
The last position in the eight team tournament for 2014 would be decided in a qualification tournament that would include the remaining First Division teams as well as the team that finished bottom of the 2013 Currie Cup log and lost the promotion/relegation series to the Pumas, the Griquas. The Griquas ultimately won this tournament and qualified for the 8th and final spot.
However, bottom of the log is not where Coach Hawies Fourie wants to find his team this year. A higher position is what will be on the agenda once play starts and the Griquas know what is on the line should they fail to deliver.
UCT rugby star, Dean Grant, was one of three varsity players to earn a trial run with Griquas in the run-up to the Currie Cup. However, Grant was the only player to secure a contract for the season and will be eager to win his first cap when he pulls on that flyhalf jersey.
Coach Fourie has made it clear that his team will look to carry on the winning momentum and mentality from winning both the Vodacom Cup as well as the qualify tournament to get the Griquas off to a winning start.
This tournament will also be a good opportunity for players and coaches alike to earn back some pride after winning just one of their ten games from last year’s season.
But probably the biggest incentive for the players to step up comes in the form of another’s demise. The Cheetahs will lose a handful of their most valuable players next season to rival clubs and will more than likely look to their Northern Cape franchise partners to replenish their soon-to-be depleted team.
With a lot to play for, the Griquas will certainly fight to the very end to show they can run with the big guns.
GWK Griquas Team:
Luxolo Koza, Stephan Pretorius, Steph Roberts, Ewald van der Westhuizen, Maks van Dyk, Janro van Niekerk, Ryno Barnes, Martin Bezuidenhout, Simon Westraadt, Stephan Greeff, Cornell Hess, Hugo Kloppers, Jaco Nepgen, Boela Serfontein, Jonathan Adendorf, Carel Greeff, Ruann Lerm, RJ Liebenberg, Hilton Lobberts, Burger Schoeman, Marnus Schoeman, Abrie Griesel, Dustin Jinka, Tian Meyer, Rudi van Rooyen, Logan Basson, Francois Brummer, Dean Grant, Marais Schmidt, Reohn van Zyl, Jonathan Francke, Doppies la Grange, Niel Marais, PJ Vermeulen, Wayne Stevens (c), Ederies Arendse, Danie Dames, Rocco Jansen, Jacquin Jansen, Gouws Prinsloo, Nico Scheepers
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow my Twitter account – @Cosmo_13_ Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport – and “liking” our Facebook page.
For the latest sports injury news, check out our friends at Sports Injury Alert.
“Main Photo:”
