In a Currie Cup final for the ages, the Suzuki Griquas pulled off a stunning 27-25 victory over the Fidelity ADT Lions, ending a 55-year drought and sending shockwaves through South African rugby.
For the second year in a row, the Lions gambled their United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign on winning the domestic trophy. But this time, their full-strength side fell just short, and heartbreak reigned for Johannesburg supporters. For everyone else — rugby romantics, fans of underdogs, and the rest of South Africa — Griquas’ triumph was unforgettable.
The Lions had dominated the Currie Cup all season, steamrolling opponents and bringing in Springboks for the final. Griquas, with a fraction of the Lions’ budget and far less fanfare, were expected to lie down. After all, the Lions had thumped them 37-7 a few weeks earlier. But Griquas had other ideas.
Coach Pieter Bergh, one of South Africa’s brightest coaching talents, set the tone early. “If I hear the words URC this week, you get a R500 fine,” he told his players. The message was clear: focus on the game at hand. And they did. Every tackle, every pass, every kick reflected their determination to prove that smaller unions still have a place in South African rugby.
Bergh’s leadership was central to the victory. His calm, strategic approach and ability to galvanize a team with limited resources makes him a prime candidate for a URC coaching role. “We came here and beat the full-strength Lions team. They brought in Springboks for the final. So incredibly proud,” Bergh said after the match.
The win was more than just a trophy — it was a statement. Competing with perhaps 20% of the Lions’ budget, Griquas showed that heart, strategy, and teamwork can overcome financial and structural disadvantages.
The Lions’ decision to field most of their URC squad in the Currie Cup was contentious, and while it demonstrated their intent to claim silverware, it backfired spectacularly. Griquas’ victory underscored the unpredictable magic of domestic rugby.
Bergh reflected on the historical significance: “Obviously, four years ago there was a massive thing made. About the 1970 team. This week we went the opposite direction. We didn’t discuss it. Just trying to take as much pressure off the players as possible. But this is the first time since 1970. We’ve shown it’s not just two finals in four years. Hopefully we can build on this.”
The Scoreline and Scorers
- Suzuki Griquas 27 — tries: Cameron Hufke, Lourens Oosthuizen, Mnombo Zwelendaba; conversions: George Whitehead (3); penalties: Whitehead (2)
- Fidelity ADT Lions 25 — tries: Kelly Mpeku, Richard Kriel, Henco van Wyk; conversions: Chris Smith (2); penalties: Smith, Lubabalo Dobela
With this triumph, Griquas not only lifted the Currie Cup but also reminded the rugby world why the competition matters. An underdog breaking a decades-long drought, guided by a visionary coach, and supported by a team that refused to lay down — the script could not have been written better.
For Kimberley and the rest of South Africa, the Big Hole may be filled with tears of joy, but the Currie Cup has never looked more alive.
My Goat Sports 