Griquas coach Pieter Bergh admits it still feels strange that the reigning Currie Cup champions must qualify again to defend their crown.
The Kimberley-based side stunned a star-studded Lions outfit 27-25 at Ellis Park last September to lift the title. Yet SA Rugby opted to retain the current format, with only the four URC clubs – the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers – guaranteed places in the Premier Division. The remaining spots must be earned through the SA Cup.
“We never thought in our wildest dreams that we would have to qualify again as the Currie Cup champions,” Bergh told Rapport. “We thought it would be obvious that we would play in the Currie Cup again without qualifying
“We believed that a logical decision would be made. How could the Currie Cup champions have to qualify again? But it is what it is and we have come to terms with it. We now have to look ahead and make sure we qualify to defend our title.”
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Griquas’ triumph boosted the profiles of several players, with nine being loaned out to other clubs.
“We decided to give them the opportunity to play at a higher level,” Bergh explained. “All of our players would like to play in the URC. We felt it was in the player’s best interest. We didn’t want to stand in their way of a good opportunity, believing that we shouldn’t qualify.”
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However, that generosity has come at a cost.
“It has certainly had an impact on the quality of our pre-season preparation with players returning piecemeal and also with players who have picked up injuries while they were away,” said Bergh. “Our group was also much smaller to train with with all the players gone.”
Photo: Christiaan Kotze/Gallo Images
