It may have been a new experience for them, but the Novavit Griffons have already caused a stir in their first season in Premier Division Currie Cup rugby and they’re not done yet.
While little was expected from the Griffons - affectionately named the Purple People Eaters in their heyday - their entry into the Currie Cup exploded as they shocked the Vodacom Bulls early on and since then have put up some admirable performances that they can be proud of.
And while the focus will turn to the bigger sides and the playoffs after this weekend, the Griffons can be proud of their opening salvos in the big leagues, and are looking now to go a few steps further to remind the rest of South Africa of the wealth of talent outside the big four franchises.
“The most pleasing thing for me was the fact that the players never gave up. They kept on coming back at the opposition. It was very important for us in our first year, that we weren’t totally overawed by the occasion,” Griffons chief executive Eugene van Wyk told supersport.com.
SMALL TOWN SUCCESS STORY
Van Wyk has been at the Griffons for 21 years now, and won the Currie Cup as coach twice in the 90s. But since moving to Welkom it has been his mission to get the small province on the map, and with some clever recruiting, a good school system in the area and backing local talent they won the first division a number of times, before getting the nod to play in the Premier Division this season.
“For us now, there are 39, maybe 40 players who have got the opportunity to play at that level, which they never had before. And it showed us a lot about the level of competition and about the players,” Van Wyk says as he looks back on the season.
“It showed us that at that level you can’t afford the type of mistakes that we were used to in the first division. You will be penalised for it - and that happens more in the premier division than in the first division.
“At this level, where you make mistakes and the opposition scored two quick tries against you - where there was always scope to rectify it, that level is higher and you don’t necessarily get that opportunity.”
There are few who will realise how much it means for the smaller provinces to have this type of exposure, especially in an environment of professional rugby where the focus is on the bigger sides.
THE MEANING OF OPPORTUNITY
“It meant an unbelievable amount for us. For 21 years we never got this type of exposure to rugby. It doesn’t matter even if it was a case like last Friday where the Bulls game was delayed, you still hear the name Griffons on television.
“It means so much for a union like us. It puts you on the map again and that’s exceptional for us.”
“At this level, it is still a place where a bunch of players get their opportunity to play - in the first division. It is the lifeblood of rugby in this country. Even if you are at the bigger unions, they can only choose 23 players for any game.
“At least in the first division it gives players exposure and game time that wouldn’t normally happen at a higher level - and it is at a higher level than club rugby. The chance to move up to the Premier Division gives you something to play for. And that can only be better for rugby.”
BIGGER THINGS IN 2024?
The Griffons will be in the Premier Division for a second season in 2024 and they’re looking to consolidate on their entry this year. That alone has helped them in keeping their players in Welkom.
“At this stage, because we are still in the Premier Division next season, where we would normally only contract players for six months, we have to contract them now for a year. We have contracted 90 per cent of the current team for the next season.
“That is important to us right now, to make sure we don’t lose too many players and that you don’t lose that experience that we built up this year ahead of next season.
“There has been a lot of interest, and especially because we use our under-21 team as a feeder team for the senior side, there is a trend now that those players are staying and not looking elsewhere. Because there is Currie Cup rugby they are staying and that can only be positive.”
And the plans for next season?
“Not to finish last,” Van Wyk laughs.
But don’t bet against another big shock. Now that they’ve got the hang of Premier Division rugby, the Griffons will be looking to make a few of the bigger sides sit up and notice.