'This is all I dreamed of': Bergh’s emotional Griquas title reaction
REACTION: Griquas coach Pieter Bergh struggled to contain his emotions after his side secured back-to-back Currie Cup titles in front of a packed Kimberley crowd.
For Bergh, the victory was about more than the trophy. It was about delivering the home final he had dreamed of and giving the people of Kimberley a moment to celebrate.
“This is what I wanted for Kimberley – a home final. I get emotional,” Bergh said.
“To see the stadium like this, and the people come to support us, this is all I dreamed of. This is amazing.”
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Whitehead delivers again as Griquas win back-to-back Currie Cup titleshttps://t.co/cmfDUFDNjJ
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Bergh was quick to pay tribute to his players, highlighting the sacrifices that often go unseen away from the rugby field.
“People don’t see what the players do off the field, how hard they work, the sacrifices they make. They absolutely deserve it.”
Griquas lost their opening Currie Cup match against the Stormers but responded by embarking on an unbeaten run that ultimately carried them all the way to another title.
“We lost our first game of the Currie Cup against the Stormers. We came back and we regrouped, and the guys didn’t lose a game from there. All credit to the players,” Bergh said.
The campaign was also disrupted by injuries, but Bergh praised the squad for repeatedly overcoming setbacks and maintaining their belief.
“We had a lot of injuries over the course of the season. The guys bounced back, and we just kept on going and believed that we can do it.
“The goal was to win it at home, and they’re all just so happy.”
For Bergh, the triumph was the ultimate reflection of the tight-knit culture that has developed within the Griquas camp.
“Griquas is about one happy family. I don’t have words. It’s just a wonderful achievement for everybody.”
And despite being the head coach, Bergh was adamant that the achievement belonged to everyone involved.
“It’s never been about me. This is a team effort.”
He also singled out members of his coaching and management team for their contribution, pointing to the powerful rolling maul that helped Griquas seal the final.
“Hat’s off to the management and the rest of the coaching staff. That maul try had Franco van der Merwe written all over it.
“Wian du Preez with the scrums in that second half. Brendell Brandt is doing incredible work with the backs. And the rest of the management team.
“It’s a team effort. They deserve all the credit as well.
“It’s just brilliant. Eventually we did it in Kimberley.”
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