Griffons (rugby union)
The Northern Free State Griffons (currently known as the Novavit Griffons for sponsorship reasons) are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup and Rugby Challenge tournaments. They play out of Welkom at North West Stadium, and draw players from roughly the eastern third of Free State Province (the remainder of the province comprises the territory of the Free State Cheetahs).
| Full name | Griffons | |
|---|---|---|
| Union | Griffons Rugby Union | |
| Emblem(s) | Griffon | |
| Founded | 1968 | |
| Region | Part of the Free State Province, South Africa | |
| Ground(s) | North West Stadium, Welkom (Capacity: 17,000) | |
| Coach(es) | Jacques Juries | |
| Captain(s) | Duann Pretoruis | |
| League(s) | Currie Cup Premier Division | |
| 2022 | Champions 1st on log (Promoted to Premier Division) | |
| ||
| Official website | ||
| griffonsnfs | ||
| Current season | ||
Players from the Griffons are eligible for selection to the Cheetahs Super Rugby team, along with players from the Free State Cheetahs and Griquas.
The team currently plays in the First Division of the Currie Cup, attracting crowds of around 4,000 to home games in at North West Stadium in Welkom. Their traditional rivals are the Free State Cheetahs and North West Province Leopards.