Ability to strangle teams is Griquas’ killer weapon, says Bergh

An ability to strangle teams has been a key weapon for Griquas as they prepare to host the Pumas in the SA Cup final in Kimberley on Saturday, coach Pieter Bergh says.

Defending champions the Pumas were first to book their place in the final when they edged the Cheetahs 42–36 at the Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga on Friday.

Griquas, the 2024 champions, secured their berth in the decider by beating the Boland Kavaliers 59-35 in a high-scoring spectacle in Kimberley.

“We believe we’re an incredibly difficult team to play against,” Bergh said. “When we get on the front foot, we’ve developed the ability over the last few years to suffocate and strangle teams, and that’s exactly what we did in the second half.

“Griquas strangled Boland. We got maul dominance and scrum dominance and started to take control. On the counterattack, when they kicked the ball, our back three came alive and backed themselves. We put them under pressure.

“I think we did the same in Wellington when we played them there. It all started at the set-piece. The moment we gained dominance there, it became like slow poison for us because we just kept breaking them down minute by minute.”

The results saw the trend continuing of the home teams not losing in SA Cup semifinals.

The Cheetahs struck early in the first semifinal, building a 10–0 lead through a Tiaan Swanepoel penalty goal and a converted try by Clayton Blommetjies.

However, the Pumas responded with authority, their forward pack asserting dominance through the maul as Sampie Swiegers crossed twice before the break. Clinton Swart’s reliable boot ensured the Pumas held a 20–10 halftime lead.

The seesaw nature of the contest ensured a tense finish, but Swart’s composed goal-kicking — he landed four conversions and three penalty goals — ultimately proved the difference between the sides.

In the second semifinal, Griquas raced into a 14–0 lead inside the opening 10 minutes, but the Kavaliers responded with intent, scoring four converted tries through James Tedder, Jade Stighling, Dominic Smith and Thurlow Marsh to surge into a 28–14 lead at the half-hour mark.

It’s time for the flawed SA Cup rugby competition to be scrapped and replaced with a better-funded, all-inclusive 14-team Currie Cup, which would also feature the EP Elephants, Cheetahs coach Frans Steyn says. His impassioned plea came after last week’s dramatic clash when the Cheetahs edged Griquas 32-31 to retain their Currie Cup status at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. Because the SA Cup offers four lucrative qualifying berths for the Currie Cup, criticism has been levelled at the lack of technology and the absence of television match officials (TMOs) at matches. “Looking at how the teams have performed this year, you could just as well have one big Currie Cup. That’s my opinion,” Steyn told OFM Sport. “The Valke were good and definitely not pushovers, and the Griffons also showed their quality. If you had one expanded Currie Cup, then maybe this competition [SA Cup] wouldn’t even be necessary. “I’ve said before that the Currie Cup needs to be made bigger and backed properly financially. There are people who still care deeply about the competition [Currie Cup] and with private equity coming into rugby, there’s an opportunity. Put proper prize money on the Currie Cup and make the big unions play their strongest sides to compete for something like R10 million. Then the competition will grow again “Put proper prize money on the Currie Cup and make the big unions play their strongest sides to compete for something like R10m. Then the competition will grow again.” “Look at France. Their rugby unions generate some of the biggest revenues in the world. If you watch their first division, second division or even club rugby, the stadiums are full, the supporters pitch up and the television money is enormous.” A concerned Steyn said missed big moments in games because of the absence of TMOs could have dire financial consequences. “During our game against Griquas there was that kick into the corner that the player took back over the line,” he said. “That was a massive moment. “From the start, my issue with the SA Cup has been the lack of technology. If we had got the scrum there, maybe we score and the whole game changes. “At the end, we almost lost because if he had kicked that ball out, we lose. Those are massive moments in games and I don’t think people always realise how important this competition is. “This competition is bigger than the United Rugby Championship and bigger than a lot of other competitions because teams can genuinely be knocked out. This competition is bigger than the United Rugby Championship and bigger than a lot of other competitions because teams can genuinely be knocked out “What happens to those players and coaches then? It always comes back onto the coaches. You can’t blame the referees because there’s no TMO, but there are definitely things that need to be looked at in the SA Cup.” Steyn’s plea has been backed by Griquas coach Pieter Bergh, who would also like the Currie Cup revamped. “If officials cannot do it [provide TMOs for the SA Cup], we must have a 14-team Currie Cup without qualification,” he said. “Teams like the Valke, SWD and EP are getting better — although there are a few teams still falling short.” Looking ahead to his team’s semifinal against the Pumas in Mbombela on Friday, Steyn said: “We’re working hard on our defence, but I’d really like us to play proper Free State rugby again. “We’re spending a lot more time on attack because that’s also important. “Defence is about heart and attitude. If you’ve got the right mindset and you’re willing to put your body on the line, defence becomes easier. That’s what you saw from us against Griquas.” SA Cup semifinals Friday, 6pm: Pumas v Cheetahs; Saturday, 1pm: Griquas v Boland Kavaliers. Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

The hosts hit back strongly. A dominant rolling maul earned them a penalty try — with Boland’s Sibusiso Sangweni sent to the sin bin — before a sweeping counter-attack, sparked by Griquas flyhalf George Whitehead, saw him release Bobby Alexander for their fourth try.

Whitehead’s conversion levelled the scores at 28–28 at halftime.

The back-and-forth continued after the break. Speedster Dylan Maart crossed for his second try soon after the restart, but Jurick Lewis replied for Boland to level matters again at 35-35.

However, the Griquas’ forward power, particularly their driving maul, eventually proved decisive. Marco de Witt, Sako Makata and Lourens Oosthuizen all crossed for converted tries in the second stanza as the home side pulled clear, and Cameron Hufkie applied the finishing touch, slotting a long-range penalty goal to seal a comprehensive 59–35 victory.

Saturday’s final kicks off at 6.30pm in Kimberley.

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