Suzuki Griquas successfully defended their Carling Currie Cup title with a hard-fought 23-16 victory over the Airlink Pumas in the final at Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley on Saturday.
The defending champions became back-to-back winners for the first time in their history, securing their fifth Currie Cup crown overall and their first home final triumph since 1970.
In a tense, physical encounter, the sides were locked at 16-16 heading into the final stages. Griquas then produced the decisive moment when replacement hooker Janco Uys scored from a powerful lineout maul with about five minutes remaining. Flyhalf George Whitehead converted to put the home side ahead 23-16, a lead they held until the final whistle.
Whitehead was the standout performer, kicking 13 points through two conversions and three penalties. The veteran, playing his 150th match for Griquas, also produced two crucial 50-22 kicks that gave his team valuable field position.
The first half was evenly contested. Whitehead opened the scoring with an early penalty before Pumas wing Darren Adonis scored a try after an interception, converted by Clinton Swart. Centre Mnombo Zwelendaba replied with a try for Griquas, which Whitehead converted. Swart’s two penalties then gave the Pumas a 13-10 half-time lead.
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After the break the teams traded penalties to reach 16-all. Whitehead’s long-range penalty and tactical kicking proved decisive as Griquas took control in the closing stages.
Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse’s side showed typical resilience and made 151 tackles, but could not hold out against the home pack’s late surge. Griquas coach Pieter Bergh praised his players’ determination in front of a packed Kimberley crowd.
The result completes a dominant season for Griquas, who finished top of the log and thrashed the Lions in the semi-finals. For the Pumas it was a second successive final defeat after their memorable 2022 title win on the same ground.
