Focused Griquas punish ill-disciplined Sharks for third straight Currie Cup win

The Suzuki Griquas triumphed over the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV with a hard-fought 26-17 victory in their Currie Cup Round 4 clash at Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley on Friday, August 15, 2025. 

This win marked the Griquas' third consecutive victory and extended the Sharks XV’s losing streak to four, pushing the hosts to the summit of the Currie Cup standings ahead of the weekend’s other fixtures.

The match was characterised by significant momentum swings and, crucially, disciplinary lapses from the Sharks XV, which ultimately proved to be their undoing.

Sharks come out swinging

Despite a super-charged start by the Sharks, who took an early 10-7 lead at halftime, with Vusi Simphiwe Moyo slotting a penalty and Ceano Everson scoring a try, their rhythm was severely disrupted in the second half. 

The Sharks incurred three yellow cards – to captain Nick Hatton, flank Matt Romao, and replacement flyhalf Jean Smith – effectively playing a significant portion of the game with 14 men.

Griquas, known for their strong home form at Suzuki Stadium, clinically capitalised on these numerical advantages. Their performance was described as composed, built on patience, opportunism and tactical discipline. 

They dominated the set pieces, particularly the scrums, forcing the Sharks to concede an alarming number of scrum penalties. 

Key tries for Griquas came from Caleb Abrahams, Dylan Maart, Derik Pretorius, and Gurshwin Wehr. Lourens Oosthuizen also barged over from a maul when the Sharks were shorthanded. 

Late try seals the deal

The decisive blow came in the 75th minute, just after the Sharks’ third yellow card, when Cameron Hufke sealed the result with a late try. 

Griquas flyhalf George Whitehead was lauded for his calm and collected demeanour and great game management. While the Sharks showed flashes of brilliance through Diego Appollis, who scored two tries, their inability to convert late pressure due to errors and Griquas' resolute defence sealed their fate.

Griquas on the road for the rest of the campaign

Looking ahead, the Griquas now face a significant challenge as they will play their remaining Currie Cup matches away from their Diamond City fortress, where they have been almost unbeatable. 

Their next fixture will be a tough test as they travel to Loftus to face the Bulls in Round 5. 

Despite their winning momentum, maintaining their form on the road against strong opposition will be the key test of their championship aspirations. For the Sharks, now in seventh position with four consecutive losses, they will be searching for answers ahead of their Round 5 clash against Western Province.