Bergh backs continuity as Griquas eye Currie Cup final spot

The upcoming Carling Currie Cup semi-final in Kimberley is as much about the men on the sidelines as the players on the field.

The Suzuki Griquas, three-time champions (1899, 1911 & 1970) and runners-up in 2022, host the Cheetahs in a Central Union semi-final in Kimberley on Saturday.

For the Griquas, coach Pieter Bergh leads his team into their first home semi-final in decades. On the other side, Toyota Cheetahs coach Frans Steyn is determined that his squad has learned from a heavy defeat earlier this season.

Bergh’s journey to Kimberley

Bergh grew up in Wellington, the son of former Boland Rugby Union secretary and CEO Piet Bergh. He began his career as an analyst before moving into coaching under Eugene Eloff, taking on defence and later backline duties.

In 2011, he coached Boland’s backline to a First Division Final win and attracted top players such as Willie le Roux. A later move to Griquas as an assistant coach was followed by a Varsity Cup stint, which he has described as “the best thing” for his development.

Since his return to Kimberley, Griquas have won the SA Cup (2024), were runners-up this year and were also Currie Cup runners-up in 2022.

For Saturday’s semi-final, Bergh has stuck with the same starting XV that beat the Cheetahs 40-10 in Bloemfontein two weeks ago.

Steyn calls for a response

Cheetahs coach Frans Steyn, meanwhile, has pointed to that 40-10 defeat as a turning point.

“Every time we think we are too good, I am going to pull that game out of the archives,” Steyn said. He highlighted silly mistakes and individual errors in the first 20 minutes that proved costly.

While acknowledging the need to sharpen up, Steyn said his focus is on freeing his players to take responsibility.

“The coaching is done. The guys must go out there, play and express themselves. I want them to make their own decisions and enjoy the occasion,” he said.

Steyn also reflected on his own semi-final record as a player, noting he had lost more than he had won. For him, the challenge is now about how his team responds.