Griquas to emulate class of 1970
REACTION: Fifty-two years on from the Class of 1970, Pieter Bergh is hopeful the 2022 Griquas squad can manufacture another Currie Cup miracle.
The Griquas booked a spot in the Currie Cup Final following a 30-19 win over the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.
Trailing 3-7 at the break, the Griquas, inspired by George Whitehead, scored 27 points in the second half for the famous victory.
Whitehead scored a try and kicked 13 points to help his side advance to the competition’s Final for the first time in 52 years.
It was in 1970 that the Kimberley side won the last of their three Currie Cup titles.
#REACTION: @BlueBullsRugby boss Gert Smal far from happy after @TheCurrieCup defeat to @GriquasRugby
🗣️ ‘They must organise a Cup [competition] for the Cheetahs, Griquas and the Pumas.” #rugby #news #BULvGRI https://t.co/W3n2ANfOEx— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) June 18, 2022
“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet, it’s special,” Griquas coach Bergh said after the win over the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.
“For many years, Griquas have talked about 1970. I have been involved as an assistant coach with Griquas from 2012 to 2018, and we’ve never made the semifinals with very good Griquas teams.
“There was always a talk about winning the Currie Cup and talking about 1970 and in 2019 we made the semifinals and in 2021 as well.
“But they couldn’t take that step, so I’m incredibly proud of these guys.”
#⃣MATCH REPORT: Replacement George Whitehead scored 18 points, as @GriquasRugby knocked the defending-champion @BlueBullsRugby out of @TheCurrieCup competition
🤩Something special is happening in Kimberley💯#Rugby 🏉#RugbyUnion🌍#BULvGRI 🏆
🔗https://t.co/wKCnD8abRH pic.twitter.com/BptmSXFZ99— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) June 17, 2022
The coach revealed that despite drawing inspiration from the Class of 1970, he was sick and tired of using it as the point of reference for success.
Instead, he urged his side to set a new record against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.
“I said to them in a pre-match team talk that there’s a reason the Guinness world book of records gets rewritten every year.
“That was my talk to the guys. Records are there to be broken and I was sick and tired of talking about 1970.”
Griquas will have a chance to end their trophy drought next week in Kimberley against the Pumas, who beat the Cheetahs in Saturday’s semifinal.
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