Like a master chess player making a decisive move, Griquas coach Piet Bergh has swiftly repositioned his key pieces on the board, reintroducing two lightning-fast stars to the starting lineup. Dylan Maart, after a dazzling stint with the Stormers, returns to don the peacock blue No 14 jersey, bringing his explosive pace back to Griquas. Alongside him, wing Gurswin Wehr shakes off the dust from his brief tenure with England’s Sale Sharks. Both are set to reignite their formidable presence on the field.
Dylan Maart, whose star has been on the rise since clinching the Currie Cup title last year, found temporary pastures at the Stormers, aiding their Vodacom URC and Investec Champions Cup campaigns. However, with the Stormers' injured players back on their feet, Maart's return to Griquas was sealed, a move that Bergh believes is timely.
"We felt we wanted to get him involved again as soon as possible,"
Bergh commented, noting that the Stormers retain the option to recall Maart should injury woes strike again. The wing is slated to join the Bulls post-Currie Cup.Gurswin Wehr’s situation was slightly different, having seen limited action at Sale and attending a family funeral last week. His need for game time is urgent, making his return both necessary and beneficial for the team dynamics.
After two rounds in the SA Cup, Griquas stands as one of the three unbeaten teams, a testament to their strategic and robust gameplay. The upcoming clash against the Bulldogs in Kimberley will witness a significant shuffle with 15 changes, including two positional adjustments, as Bergh aims to utilize his entire squad early in the season.
"The plan was always, if the first two games went according to plan, to give everyone in the group a run in the first three matches, and it worked out that way,"
explained Bergh.The team lineup for Saturday’s match is as follows: Connor Mahoney (15), Dylan Maart (14), Tom Nel (13), Mnombo Zwelendaba (captain, 12), Gurswin Wehr (11), Zinedine Robinson (10), Jack Hart (9), Phumzile Maqondwana (8), Marco de Witt (7), Carl Els (6), Carel van der Merwe (5), Lungi Mbiko (4), Johan Louw (3), Janco Uys (2), and Moango Ngundue (1). The bench will host Keagan Blanckenberg (16), Leon Lyons (17), Ntobeko Shezi (18), Malembe Mpofu (19), Lourens Oosthuizen (20), Bobby Alexander (21), George Whitehead (22), and Sako Makata (23).
With their sights set on maintaining their unbeaten streak, Griquas’ rejuvenated lineup is a clear signal of their intent to dominate the SA Cup, blending experienced prowess with strategic freshness.