Cape Town - NMMU centre Howard Mnisi's form in this year's Varsity Cup competition has earned him a Currie Cup contract with Griquas.
Mnisi, who was named Varsity Cup Backline Player of the Tournament, will fill the void left in the Griquas midfield after the retirement of Walter Venter.
The experienced Venter has called it a day after tearing knee ligaments in the recently completed Vodacom Cup.
Mnisi, who turns 24 in July, is a physical player who likes to attack the gain line - something Griquas coach Pote Human has welcomed.
"We only have PJ Vermeulen, Jean Stemmet and JP Nel in the centre position and therefore decided to contract Howard," Human told the Volksblad website.
"We will see how things unfold and then we'll talk about extending his contract.
"We identified Howard in the Varsity Cup. He was part of the Cheetahs' Super Rugby group for two days and also impressed there."
Mnisi helped the NMMU Madibaz reach their first Varsity Cup semi-final where they were somewhat unlucky to lose to Maties.
Griquas start their Currie Cup campaign with a game against the Sharks in Durban on Friday, August 9.
Mnisi, who was named Varsity Cup Backline Player of the Tournament, will fill the void left in the Griquas midfield after the retirement of Walter Venter.
The experienced Venter has called it a day after tearing knee ligaments in the recently completed Vodacom Cup.
Mnisi, who turns 24 in July, is a physical player who likes to attack the gain line - something Griquas coach Pote Human has welcomed.
"We only have PJ Vermeulen, Jean Stemmet and JP Nel in the centre position and therefore decided to contract Howard," Human told the Volksblad website.
"We will see how things unfold and then we'll talk about extending his contract.
"We identified Howard in the Varsity Cup. He was part of the Cheetahs' Super Rugby group for two days and also impressed there."
Mnisi helped the NMMU Madibaz reach their first Varsity Cup semi-final where they were somewhat unlucky to lose to Maties.
Griquas start their Currie Cup campaign with a game against the Sharks in Durban on Friday, August 9.