Suzuki Griquas head coach Pieter Bergh described lifting the Currie Cup in front of an ecstatic Kimberley crowd as a "dream come true" after his side secured historic back-to-back domestic titles.
The Peacock Blues etched their names into South African rugby folklore on Saturday afternoon by defeating the Airlink Pumas 23-16 in a gruelling, tense final at a packed Suzuki Stadium.
The triumph follows their dramatic 2025 victory over the Lions at Ellis Park, which ended an agonising 55-year championship drought. By defending their crown on home soil, Bergh’s men achieved back-to-back Currie Cup glory for the first time in the union's long history.
Speaking to the media after the historic victory, an emotional Bergh reflected on what the home final meant to him and the local community.
“This is what I wanted for Kimberley, a home final. I get emotional,” Bergh said. “To see the stadium like this, and the people come to support us, this is all I dreamed of. This is amazing.”
Bergh was quick to pay tribute to his players, highlighting the sacrifices that often go unseen away from the rugby field.
“People don’t see what the players do off the field, how hard they work, the sacrifices they make. They absolutely deserve it.”
The Griquas' road to the 2026 title was far from smooth. Their campaign opened with a disappointing defeat to the Stormers XXIII in Cape Town, casting early doubts over their title defence. However, the squad showed profound character to launch an unbeaten streak all the way to the final.
“We lost our first game of the Currie Cup against the Stormers. We came back, and we regrouped, and the guys didn’t lose a game from there. All credit to the players,” Bergh said.
The campaign was also disrupted by injuries, but Bergh praised the squad for repeatedly overcoming setbacks and maintaining their belief.
“We had a lot of injuries over the course of the season. The guys bounced back, and we just kept on going and believed that we could do it. The goal was to win it at home, and they’re all just so happy.”
For Bergh, the triumph was the ultimate reflection of the tight-knit culture that has developed within the Griquas camp.
“Griquas is about one happy family. I don’t have words. It’s just a wonderful achievement for everybody.”
And despite being the head coach, Bergh was adamant that the achievement belonged to everyone involved.
“It’s never been about me. This is a team effort.”
He also singled out members of his coaching and management team for their contribution, pointing to the powerful rolling maul that helped Griquas seal the final.
“Hat’s off to the management and the rest of the coaching staff. That maul try had Franco van der Merwe written all over it. Wian du Preez with the scrums in that second half. Brendell Brandt is doing incredible work with the backs. And the rest of the management team.
“It’s a team effort. They deserve all the credit as well. It’s just brilliant. Eventually we did it in Kimberley.”