As we gear up for this Saturday's Currie Cup showdown between the Lions and the Griquas, let’s rewind and marvel at the rollercoaster ride of the past five finals. This year's clash is set to crown a new champion, marking the fifth different victor in the last six years. Last season saw the Lions narrowly missing out, while a win for the Griquas would be their first in over half a century, echoing the Pumas' fairy-tale win in 2022.
The Vodacom Bulls were the only team to clinch consecutive titles during the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, showing their dominance in a largely disrupted sports landscape. The 2020 final was a nail-biter with the Bulls pulling a rabbit out of the hat against the Sharks, turning a 10-point deficit in the last quarter into a 26-19 victory at Loftus Versfeld. They didn’t take their foot off the gas the following year, steamrolling the same opponents with a crushing 44-10 win, the largest margin ever in a Currie Cup final.
In 2022, the Griquas and the Pumas, both underdogs, vied for the title. The Pumas, in their debut final, managed to clinch a 26-19 win, ending a 52-year drought for the Griquas. The Pumas maintained their form into 2023, but fell short against the Free State Cheetahs who secured a 25-17 victory in Bloemfontein.
"It’s all about taking your chances,"
noted a Pumas player reflecting on the loss.2024's final was drama personified. At Ellis Park, in a game marred by slippery conditions, the Lions seemed poised for victory, leading with just minutes to spare. However, a dramatic long-range penalty by Springbok Jordan Hendrikse, 59 meters out in injury time, left the Lions fans in disbelief as victory was snatched from their grasp.
This year, the spotlight is again on the Griquas' pursuit of glory against a backdrop of historic underdog triumphs. Will they rewrite their story, or will the Lions atone for last year’s heartbreak? Saturday’s game is not just a match; it’s a page-turner in the annals of Currie Cup history.