Currie Cup semi-finals: Griquas and Cheetahs host Lions and Pumas

The 2026 Carling Currie Cup Premier Division reaches its decisive stage on Sunday, with defending champions Griquas hosting the Lions in Kimberley before the Cheetahs face the Pumas in Bloemfontein.

The first semi-final at Suzuki Stadium begins at 13h00, while the second match at Toyota Stadium kicks off at 15h30. Both games will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Griquas and the Cheetahs earned home advantage after finishing first and second respectively in the league standings. The Lions and Pumas secured the remaining semi-final places on the final weekend of the regular season.

Griquas v Lions

Griquas go into the Kimberley contest as the leading contenders after an outstanding league campaign. Pieter Bergh’s side finished top of the table with six wins from seven matches, scoring 271 points and recording the competition’s best points difference of +128.

They ended the league phase with emphatic victories over the Pumas, whom they beat 38-14, and Sanlam Boland Kavaliers, against whom they won 48-17. Those results reinforced Griquas’ status as the team to beat.

The Lions, coached by Mziwakhe Nkosi, also arrive with confidence. They had to defeat Stormers XXIII in Johannesburg to remain in contention for the play-offs and did so in convincing fashion, winning 36-12 to take fourth place.

Their recent record in the knockout stages makes them a considerable threat despite their lower seeding. The Lions reached the final in both 2024 and 2025 and are now aiming for a third successive appearance in the title match.

Griquas won the corresponding league meeting in Kimberley in August, taking a 31-19 victory in round four. However, the hosts will know that a semi-final presents a different test from a regular-season fixture.

Their defensive record has been the best in the competition, with only 143 points conceded. The Lions’ strength lies in their ability to attack from almost anywhere on the pitch. They scored 32 tries during the league phase, the third-highest total, behind the Cheetahs on 37 and Griquas on 40.

Griquas are also seeking a second consecutive appearance in the final after beating the Cheetahs in last season’s semi-final.

Cheetahs v Pumas

The second semi-final is likely to be just as closely contested. The Cheetahs finished second with five wins from seven matches, giving Frans Steyn’s team the opportunity to host the Pumas at Toyota Stadium.

Their preparation, however, has been disrupted by a heavy defeat in their final league match. The Cheetahs were beaten 52-26 by the Pumas in Nelspruit last weekend, with Jimmy Stonehouse’s side scoring eight tries in a statement win.

That result secured third place for the Pumas and provided a significant psychological boost ahead of their return meeting in Bloemfontein.

The Cheetahs remain among the most experienced teams in the competition’s recent play-offs. They have regularly reached the semi-finals over the past five Carling Currie Cup seasons and won the title in 2023, beating the Pumas 25-17 in Bloemfontein.

The Pumas have developed an impressive reputation in knockout rugby. They won semi-finals in 2022 and 2023 and reached successive finals during that period. Their 2022 triumph was particularly notable, as they defeated Griquas in Kimberley to claim the title.

Recent head-to-head records otherwise favour the Cheetahs. Before last weekend’s result, the Free Staters had won four of the previous five meetings. The Pumas’ victory at Mbombela Stadium ended a four-match losing streak against them.

George Whitehead will direct operations for Griquas, while Faf de Klerk will perform that role for the Cheetahs. With match-winners throughout all four squads, Sunday’s semi-finals offer two contrasting contests: Griquas’ consistency against the Lions’ play-off experience, and the Cheetahs’ home advantage against the Pumas’ recent momentum.

Griquas v Lions Date: Sunday, 6 September Venue: Suzuki Stadium, Kimberley Kick-off: 13h00 Referee: Griffin Colby TV: SuperSport

Cheetahs v Pumas Date: Sunday, 6 September Venue: Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein Kick-off: 15h30 Referee: Christopher Allison TV: SuperSport