Players moving on is an inevitable part of professional sport, but it is also a powerful reflection of the player-pathway success within the Griquas system. Suzuki Griquas have confirmed that six members of their squad are beginning the next chapters of their rugby journeys.
The departing players, who all played instrumental roles in the union's recent historic successes, have earned opportunities to test themselves in new environments. Some will be wearing new jerseys permanently, while others will return to Kimberley after gaining valuable United Rugby Championship (URC) experience. While their paths from here may diverge, they all share one legendary chapter: they helped write the story of back-to-back Currie Cup champions.
From the historic 2025 breakthrough at Ellis Park to the 2026 title defence at Suzuki Stadium, each of these players has etched their name into Griquas folklore.
Dylan Maart | Vodacom Bulls (Permanent): After two stellar seasons in Kimberley, dangerous outside back Dylan Maart is moving to Pretoria permanently to test himself at the URC level. Maart’s time in the PouBlou jersey was defined by unforgettable, high-stakes performances. His 2025 Currie Cup campaign saw him emerge as one of the competition’s most lethal attacking threats.
In the 2025 semi-final against the Toyota Cheetahs, Maart produced a Man of the Match performance, scoring twice to secure a 25–5 victory. He then started in the historic final at Ellis Park, where the Griquas defeated the Lions 27–25 to lift the Currie Cup for the first time in 55 years. Maart continued his fine form into 2026, highlighted by a spectacular hat-trick against the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV in a 55–21 victory at Suzuki Stadium. He heads to Loftus Versfeld with another Currie Cup medal in hand.
Janco Uys | Vodacom Bulls (Loan): Hooker Janco Uys heads to the Vodacom Bulls on a loan agreement for the URC, allowing him to test his mettle at the next tier of professional rugby while continuing his development. Uys has been a cornerstone of the Griquas forward pack, bringing immense physicality, consistency, and leadership to the number two jersey.
His journey in Kimberley has spanned both heartbreak and triumph. He was part of the side that narrowly missed out on the title in 2022, before playing a central role in bringing the trophy back to the Northern Cape in 2025. Along the way, he overcame severe knee and hamstring injuries to reach a milestone of 50 appearances for the union. A memorable rolling-maul try against the Bulls in Pretoria during the 2025 campaign highlighted his grit, and he featured in both the 2025 and 2026 championship-winning squads.
Eddie Davids | Fidelity ADT Lions (Permanent): Having established himself as an ultra-dependable anchor in the scrum, loosehead prop Eddie Davids has signed a permanent deal with the Fidelity ADT Lions. Davids has been a foundational part of the Griquas pack over the last two seasons and was a key architect of the historic 2025 Currie Cup triumph.
Davids started at loosehead prop in that emotional final against the Lions at Ellis Park, helping lay the platform for the dramatic 27–25 victory. Known for his technical stability and work rate in the set-piece, he has consistently been a player coaches could rely on in the most demanding moments. His move to Johannesburg represents another fine example of a player using his time in Kimberley to launch into the next tier of elite rugby.
Tiaan Lange | Fidelity ADT Lions (Loan): Dynamic hooker Tiaan Lange will join the Fidelity ADT Lions on a short-term loan for the upcoming URC competition. Lange has grown into a highly influential figure in the Griquas pack, with his 2026 season producing some especially explosive moments.
His return from injury during the recent Currie Cup campaign gave the squad a massive boost of energy and physicality. His standout performance of the year came at Suzuki Stadium against the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV, where he crossed the whitewash three times in a devastating second-half spell to secure a 55–21 win. Having also featured from the bench in the 2025 final, this URC loan gives Lange the perfect platform to test his skill set against international opposition.
Carl Els | Toyota Cheetahs (Permanent): After a long and proud association with Griquas Rugby, hard-working forward Carl Els will make the move down the N1 to Bloemfontein to join the Toyota Cheetahs on a permanent deal. Els has been an integral part of the culture through pivotal years, celebrating both the 2025 breakthrough and the 2026 title defence.
A memorable individual highlight included a powerful try against DHL Western Province in 2025, but his connection to the union goes far deeper than the pitch. Els was famously part of the group that travelled through the Northern Cape to share the 2025 Currie Cup trophy with the community, including a special visit to Jan Kempdorp alongside Albert Liebenberg to present the trophy to former player and long-serving staff member Russell Pitchers. The Cheetahs are gaining a wealth of experience and physicality.
Zane Bester | Zebre Parma (Loan): For outside centre Zane Bester, the next step of his rugby journey takes him overseas. The exceptionally talented midfielder will join Italian United Rugby Championship outfit Zebre Parma on an eight-month loan deal.
Bester arrived in Kimberley with high expectations after guiding the Shimlas to a Varsity Cup title, and he immediately translated that attacking flair to the professional stage. Making his debut in the 2024 SA Cup, he quickly became a fixture in the midfield. His brilliant line-break in the 2025 Currie Cup semi-final set up Albert Liebenberg's crucial opening try, and he scored a memorable five-pointer of his own in a 40–10 routing of the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein. Now, he brings his explosive running lines and sharp defensive reads to Europe.