Griquas stun Lions to end 55-year Currie Cup wait

THE SUZUKI Griquas ended more than half a century of waiting on Saturday when they beat the Fidelity ADT Lions 27-25 in a thrilling Currie Cup final at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, sealing their first title since 1970.

The Kimberley side struck first through fullback Cameron Hufke, who raced clear for a try in the opening minute. George Whitehead added the conversion, giving Griquas the perfect start. The Lions responded through a Chris Smith penalty before winger Kelly Mpeku and centre Richard Kriel crossed to hand the home side a 17-14 lead at the break. Flanker Lourens Oosthuizen had kept the Griquas in touch with a powerful finish on 28 minutes.

After the restart, George Whitehead levelled with a penalty, but the Lions surged ahead again when Henco van Wyk gathered a bouncing ball to score. The game swung once more as centre Mnombo Zwelendaba crashed over in the 72nd minute, Whitehead’s conversion putting the visitors 24-22 up.

Late drama followed: substitute Lubabalo Dobela appeared to snatch victory for the Lions with a penalty in the 78th minute, only for Whitehead to hold his nerve deep into stoppage time, slotting a long-range penalty to clinch a famous 27-25 win.

For the Griquas, the result ended a 55-year drought and underscored the resilience of South Africa’s smaller unions against their heavyweight rivals. For the Lions, it was heartbreak for the second year running, having also lost last season’s final at the death.

Points-Scorers:

LIONS 25 (17) - Tries: Mpeku, Kriel, Van Wyk. Conversions: Smith (2). Penalty: Smith, Dobela

GRIQUAS 27 (14) - Tries: Hufke, Oosthuizen, Zwelenedaba. Conversions: Whitehead (3), Penalties: Whitehead (2)