Injury to insult for Griquas
Things went from bad to worse for Griquas who lost two more players to injury in their second-half capitulation to the Sharks in Kimberley.
Fullback PJ Vermeulen and lock Victor Kruger became the latest casulties as Griquas slumped to their fifth defeat of the season, leaving them at the bottom of the Currie Cup standings.
The home side could not capitalise on a half-time lead of six points, even after a good try by flanker Burger Schoeman shortly after the start of the second half, which put them even further ahead.
Schoeman's try in the second period would prove to be their only points of that stanza, while the Sharks managed to score 14 points.
Griquas' coach Pote Human admitted that his side had failed to take advantage of their lead, which allowed their visitors to find their feet.
"We didn't play for 80 minutes. It is as simple as that. We built up a pretty good lead after Burger Schoeman scored, but after that we decided to defend it rather than build on it," Human said.
"Our discipline let us down once again, even after we worked so hard on it during the week."
Things don't get any easier for Griquas, who have a short week of preparation before they take on log-leaders Western Province in Cape Town on Friday.
The Peacock Blues will travel without fullback Vermeulen and Kruger, who both face surgery.
"Both PJ and Victor will be operated on, but their initial prognosis isn't very good," Human said.
"The chances are remote that either of them will play any further part in this year's competition. It is another blow for us injury wise, after we have already lost so many stalwarts early in the season."
SAPA
