It’s obvious that Griquas would want to build on the success of the previous year, taking the recipe they used, adding some spice here and there, but this year making it a winning recipe this time around.
IT CANNOT be disputed that the Windhoek Draught Griquas had a wonderful season in 2022, making it all the way to the Currie Cup final.
The two smallest franchises in the competition blasted their way past the top teams, making it a year of upsets. Griquas faced the Pumas and had the opportunity to once again make history by winning the final on home soil. But when the visitors defeated Griquas 26-19, for the players and the supporters, it was a difficult pill to swallow. However, that Currie Cup final will be remembered for many years to come.
But that was last year, and now with 2023 in full swing, and a new rugby season looming, it’s obvious that Griquas would want to build on the success of the previous year, taking the recipe they used, adding some spice here and there, but this year making it a winning recipe this time around.
The DFA talked with Pieter Bergh, the head coach of the Griquas, this past week to learn more about the team’s recent activities and intentions for the near future.
Bergh told the DFA that Griquas began training on January 4 in order to be ready for the Currie Cup which begins on March 10 or 11. “We already know that our opening game will take place here in Kimberley against the Free State Cheetahs,” Bergh said. “That means we only have nine weeks on the calendar left to prepare.”
Asked if the team are in a position to build on their success from 2022, Bergh said that it’s important to understand that the union lost a lot of players, like they do every year, and yet they would not need to start completely from scratch this time around.
“We were able to maintain some of our top players and add some fresh talent that will help us build on our success from the previous season,” the coach said. “I understand that this year will be filled with a lot of expectations since we set them last year, but that is a good thing. The players won’t feel under pressure to outperform last year, in my opinion.
“The major unions are adept at running the United Rugby Championship (URC) and Currie Cup, as they did last year.
“But the boys must also be aware that it will require really hard work with the same intensity and preparation that we had last year. We proved that we can do it, and the belief is there.”
Bergh ran through the list of losses and acquisitions, saying that continuity was key as it is always important when rebuilding.
“We lost some incredible players like Munier Hartzenberg, Sibabalo Qoma, who joined the Cheetahs, Stefan Ungerer, Christopher Hollis, who joined the Western Province, Rynhardt Jonker, who joined the Lions, and Cameron Lindsay, who left for Italy, so there are a lot of high-calibre players who have left the union.
New Player Alert! Windhoek Draught Griquas proudly announce the arrival of Sako Makata to Kimberley. Sako, a strong and fast player who plays wing, joins us from the SA Sevens. Welcome to the Northern Cape Sako, we know you will enjoy your time here! #eenkwas #windhoekdraught pic.twitter.com/dK0z7KDvzD
— Griquas Rugby (@GriquasRugby) January 13, 2023
“However, we were able to sign some promising young players like Cebo Dlamini, who served as the captain of the Bulls Under-21s, Rosko Specman who has a lot of experience in the backline and also has a Springbok Test cap behind his name, and Eddie Fouché that has joined us from the Pumas.
“Although we have made several fantastic additions, we constantly strive for strong continuity. You are somewhat hampered by losing five or six excellent players each year, but that is the hand we are given at Griquas.
“However, every year we start from zero to put up a team that can go up against the major unions; we proved that last year,” he said.
Bergh also said that he believes Griquas are fortunate just to have Hanru Sirgel back, after his Achilles injury picked up in July of last year.
“This injury tends to take nine to 12 months to heal, so he should be back in April, and hopefully he misses no more than four Currie Cup games. Malcolm Jaer is not presently participating in our training sessions, but we anticipate his return in the following three weeks.
“Having said that, we have a large number of players on the practice field, and it is encouraging to see that the players are competing with one another to make the starting squad,” Bergh added.
Speaking about the coaching staff, the Griqua head coach was upbeat.
“On November 1, Melusi Mthethwa, the backline coach for the Cheetahs, joined us as the assistant and backline coach. He is juggling two coaching responsibilities because he is also CUT’s Varsity Cup coach. Currently, he comes here twice a week to coach, but after his work with the Varsity Cup is done, he’ll come more frequently,” Bergh explained.
For those wondering about warm-up games ahead of the Currie Cup, Bergh has that covered.
“In order to get some preparation in before travelling to Mossel Bay next week to play SWD in a friendly on Wednesday, January 25, we will be having a practice session against CUT today (Friday) to get some contact in,” he told the DFA.
At present, and yes, these are early days, the Griquas appear to be on track to be ready for the 2023 Currie Cup. Let’s only hope they can indeed build on last year’s brilliant season and continue to be the imposing force and giant-killers they were last year.
After all, as a Griqua supporter, ask yourself: Wouldn’t you want to attend another final on home soil again this year?
