Pieter Bergh, the mastermind behind the Griquas' strategy, is not just blowing smoke when he says his team has deciphered the code to bring down the Lions in the upcoming Currie Cup showdown. The stakes couldn't be higher for the Kimberley squad, who are hungry for their first title win since the Beatles were still touring, way back in 1970. Last time they reached for the stars in 2022, they almost grabbed them, only to have their dreams dashed by the Pumas in a nail-biter finale.
Reflecting on the past to forge the future, Bergh leverages history as his playbook.
"It’s a final, so you always stand a chance,"
he confidently remarked to Netwerk24. His game plan? To rattle the Lions early on, recreating the pressure that saw them crumble last year against the Sharks. "The Lions folded under the pressure a bit in last year’s final. We need to ensure that we’re good enough to put them under pressure, and consistent pressure," Bergh explained. He envisions a strong start as critical, hoping for "a bit of luck here and there" to clinch the win.
Flashback to last year's heart-stopper at Ellis Park: the Lions were minutes away from glory, leading with a freshly converted try, but a fateful lineout mishap and a monster 59m penalty by Jordan Hendrikse handed victory to the Sharks instead. Now, with their roster beefed up with URC stars, the Lions are eager to rewrite that ending.
Bergh, however, is sticking to his guns, planning to double down on the aggressive, forward-moving rugby that got them this far.
"It’s a wonderful opportunity for us. We just need to ensure that we don’t go into our shell. We need to play according to our strengths and not be afraid to put them under pressure."
It's clear Bergh is not just here to play—it's do or die, and the Griquas are not planning to die today.
This Saturday, it's a clash of titans, a battle of wits, and a test of nerves. May the best team win, but if Bergh has anything to say about it, it's going to be a Griqua day indeed.
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Pieter Bergh, the mastermind behind the Griquas' strategy, is not just blowing smoke when he says his team has deciphered the code to bring down the Lions in the upcoming Currie Cup showdown. The stakes couldn't be higher for the Kimberley squad, who are hungry for their first title win since the Beatles were still touring, way back in 1970. Last time they reached for the stars in 2022, they almost grabbed them, only to have their dreams dashed by the Pumas in a nail-biter finale.
Reflecting on the past to forge the future, Bergh leverages history as his playbook.
"It’s a final, so you always stand a chance,"
he confidently remarked to Netwerk24. His game plan? To rattle the Lions early on, recreating the pressure that saw them crumble last year against the Sharks. "The Lions folded under the pressure a bit in last year’s final. We need to ensure that we’re good enough to put them under pressure, and consistent pressure," Bergh explained. He envisions a strong start as critical, hoping for "a bit of luck here and there" to clinch the win.Flashback to last year's heart-stopper at Ellis Park: the Lions were minutes away from glory, leading with a freshly converted try, but a fateful lineout mishap and a monster 59m penalty by Jordan Hendrikse handed victory to the Sharks instead. Now, with their roster beefed up with URC stars, the Lions are eager to rewrite that ending.
Bergh, however, is sticking to his guns, planning to double down on the aggressive, forward-moving rugby that got them this far.
"It’s a wonderful opportunity for us. We just need to ensure that we don’t go into our shell. We need to play according to our strengths and not be afraid to put them under pressure."
It's clear Bergh is not just here to play—it's do or die, and the Griquas are not planning to die today.This Saturday, it's a clash of titans, a battle of wits, and a test of nerves. May the best team win, but if Bergh has anything to say about it, it's going to be a Griqua day indeed.