Currie Cup: Semi Finals - Lions and Griquas progress to Final in Johannesburg

Later in Kimberley, Griquas made history once again by toppling the Toyota Cheetahs 25-5 at Suzuki Stadium, reaching their second final in four years. The Lions’ star-studded side, packed with Vodacom URC players, blew Boland away with a 10-try display, while Griquas relied on two moments of brilliance from winger Dylan Maart to down their Free State rivals in front of a jubilant home crowd.

The stage is now set for a mouthwatering decider at Ellis Park on Saturday, where the Lions and Griquas will meet with the famous trophy on the line.

The Lions stormed into the Currie Cup final with a commanding 67-19 win over Boland at Ellis Park, outscoring the visitors by ten tries to three in a ruthless display of attacking rugby.

Right wing Angelo Davids was unstoppable, running in four tries, including a dazzling first-half hat-trick that set the tone for a dominant performance. Henco van Wyk added a brace, while SJ Kotze, Quan Horn, and Renzo du Plessis also crossed the whitewash. A penalty try late in the second half capped a complete display from the Highvelders.

Flyhalf Chris Smith pulled the strings brilliantly, kicking six conversions and a penalty, while marshalling a pack that crushed Boland at the set piece. The Kavaliers, who have been one of the competition’s great stories this season, showed flashes of their resilience through tries from Sidney Tobias, Jayden Bantom and Chriswill September.

James Tedder added two conversions, but his yellow card for a cynical infringement gifted the Lions their penalty try and ended Boland’s faint hopes. The Lions’ emphatic victory ensures they host the final in Johannesburg for the second consecutive season.

FIDELITY ADT LIONS: 67
TRIES: 10 (Angelo Davids 4, Henco van Wyk 2, SJ Kotze, Quan Horn, Renzo du Plessis, Penalty Try)
CONVERSIONS: 6 (Chris Smith 6)
PENALTIES: 1 (Smith)

SANLAM BOLAND KAVALIERS: 19
TRIES: 3 (Sidney Tobias, Jayden Bantom, Chriswill September)
CONVERSIONS: 2 (James Tedder 2)

The Suzuki Griquas booked their second Currie Cup final in four years with a gritty 25-5 victory over the Toyota Cheetahs at Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley. The hosts stunned the visitors early with two tries inside the opening 10 minutes. First, Albert Liebenberg powered over after a slick lineout move, before Dylan Maart showed searing pace to chase a kick, gather the bounce and score from long range.

The Cheetahs hit back almost immediately through Prince Nkabinde, but that proved their only score of the evening. The first half ended with Griquas 12-5 in front after a fierce arm wrestle. In the second half, George Whitehead’s penalty stretched the lead before Maart produced another moment of magic, diving spectacularly into the corner for his second try.

The flyhalf converted and added a long-range penalty at the death to seal a famous victory for the men from the Northern Cape. Griquas’ defensive grit and Maart’s brilliance proved decisive, as the Cheetahs faltered under pressure and missed out on a place in the final.

SUZUKI GRIQUAS: 25
TRIES: 3 (Albert Liebenberg, Dylan Maart 2)
CONVERSIONS: 2 (George Whitehead 2)
PENALTIES: 2 (Whitehead 2)

TOYOTA CHEETAHS: 5
TRY: 1 (Prince Nkabinde)