BACK-TO-BACK: Griquas crowned undisputed Currie Cup champs

A dominant 25-metre rolling maul ultimately was the difference between the two sides as the Suzuki Griquas claimed back-to-back Carling Currie Cup titles as they beat the Airlink Pumas 23-16 in a tough, tense final in Kimberley on Saturday afternoon.

Coach Pieter Bergh - one of the rising stars in South African coaching circles, cemented his side’s name in history as they followed up their win last season with another trophy in the Premier domestic league, and avenged their extra-time loss in the SA Cup final to the same opposition earlier in the year.

But on a day where there was a trophy to be won, it came down to the side that made the least amount of mistakes and held their nerve, and while the final was extremely tense and entertaining, it was the home side who got over the line when it mattered.

Back-to-back! 🏆🏆@GriquasRugby keep the Carling #CurrieCup crown in Kimberley - match report: https://t.co/Y9Cp2ToAjx #WhereChampionsRise pic.twitter.com/MO5ZYzayqr
— The Carling Currie Cup (@TheCurrieCup) September 12, 2026

Griquas will point out that they were over the line early on when Bobby Alexander chased a ball and couldn’t dot down and then again when Sako Makata lost the ball over the line in the first half, but the Pumas also fluffed a try at the end of the first half that would have given them a significant advantage going into the second.

When it mattered though, it came off a 50-22 from the long boot of George Whitehead, who set up the lineout for the rolling maul, which marched 25 metres over the line to give Griquas a crucial lead with less than 10 minutes left on the clock.

Janco Uys came out at the bottom of it all to claim his name on the scoresheet, and it was precisely what his team needed as they held out for a famous victory.

WHITEHEAD STARS

The win means Griquas are now the undisputed back-to-back champions and can lay claim to being the best side outside the URC and will be putting some pressure on SA Rugby to get them more competition in Europe with their wins.

Whitehead, who celebrated his 150th cap for his union, was the driving force behind their win, as he slotted three penalties and two conversions to score 13 points on the day.

But credit must go to the Pumas for making such a game of it, and they will know they had their chances to upset the hosts as well.

The visitors were the first to cross the tryline when Jay-Cee Nel intercepted a Whitehead pass in the first half to sprint downfield and deliver the ball inside to Darren Adonis, who went over to score.

The move, which was against the run of play, seemed to rattle the hosts as they had dominated play early on but couldn’t account for it on the scoreboard.

Eventually a bit of luck went their way when an awkward pass from Alexander hit a Pumas player and bounced fortuitously for Mnombo Zwelendaba, who stepped inside and powered his way to place the ball over the line.

Clinton Swart extended the lead with a penalty but Whitehead hauled in that scoreline with one of his own. Swart added another penalty shortly afterwards

But Griquas couldn’t get ahead and just after Makata missed his opportunity a counter attack from the Pumas was thwarted when big JJ Scheepers couldn’t get in at the corner and lost the ball over the line as well.

It left it 13-10 to the Pumas at halftime, and a very tense second half ahead.

Whitehead added a penalty on the hour mark and added another - this time a long range effort from almost 60 metres out on the 70th minute.

But no quicker had the Griquas celebrated than the Pumas took the restart and won a penalty, allowing Swart to level the scores at 16-all.

Then came the 50-22, and the lineout drive that settled things, and the desperation grew from the Pumas.

The visitors lost a lineout ball five metres out from Griquas’ line and while they stole the next lineout on fulltime, a wayward pass went into touch to end their hopes and give Kimberley its fourth title ever - and the second in a row - to end the domestic season on a high.

Your 2026 Carling #CurrieCup champions!

Suzuki Griquas finally lift the trophy in Kimberley🏆🇿🇦 What a moment for the Peacock Blues!#WhereChampionsRise pic.twitter.com/5htUOoNPhV
— The Carling Currie Cup (@TheCurrieCup) September 12, 2026