Veteran flyhalf George Whitehead held his nerve to slot a last-minute penalty, sealing one of the most memorable upsets in the competition’s history.

For the Lions, it was heartbreak all over again. Just as they were denied in last year’s final by a late long-range kick from Jordan Hendrikse of the Sharks, history cruelly repeated itself. This time, with less than two minutes left on the clock, the Lions thought they had secured victory — until the Television Match Official (TMO) intervened.

Referee Christopher Allison penalised Ruan Delport for a deliberate knock-on handing Griquas a lifeline. Whitehead made no mistake, sparking tears of joy and wild celebrations for head coach Pieter Bergh, who lifted his first Currie Cup title in storybook fashion.

Captain Cebo Dlamini - Morgan Piek

For the Lions, the defeat could prove costly. Once again, they had staked their season on chasing Currie Cup silverware by fielding their strongest squad against the so-called smaller unions. After thumping the Griquas 37-7 in the pool stages, they were overwhelming favourites — so much so that even their fans failed to show up in large numbers for the final.

But back-to-back final defeats have raised serious questions about their strategy. Last year, their gamble left them fading badly in the United Rugby Championship (URC). With no real off-season for many key players, history threatens to repeat itself. The added mental blow of another last-gasp defeat won’t help matters as they fly out on Monday to begin their URC campaign against a Cardiff side that enjoyed a full pre-season.

For the Griquas, however, the Currie Cup was everything. They arrived in Johannesburg with a mission, stood toe-to-toe with their fancied opponents, defended with relentless commitment, and took their chances when it mattered most. In doing so, they wrote themselves into rugby folklore.

Lance Salter, coach Pieter Bergh, and Gurswin Wehr - Morgan Piek

As much as the Currie Cup is about trophies, it is also about moments like these — when the underdog rises to topple the favourite. Whitehead’s winning kick now takes its place among the competition’s greatest memories.

Despite conceding the opening try when Cameron Hufke pounced on a dropped ball from Chris Smith, the Lions generally looked in control. Smith steadied the ship with a penalty before a dazzling break from Quan Horn sent Kelly Mpeku over to claim the lead.

The Griquas responded through a powerful five-metre tap-and-go try from Lourens Oosthuizen, but Richard Kriel exploited a defensive gap to restore the Lions’ advantage, giving them a 17-14 edge at the break.

Whitehead’s boot levelled the scores early in the second half, only for disaster to strike immediately from the kickoff when Henco van Wyk capitalised on a wicked bounce to score.

With time running out, Mnombo Zwelendaba crossed after sustained Griquas pressure, swinging the momentum back to the visitors. But when Lubabalo Dobela slotted a 77th-minute penalty, it looked as though the Lions had stolen it. Their turnover penalty on the final whistle appeared to seal the deal — until the TMO’s dramatic intervention changed everything.

From straight in front, Whitehead was never going to miss. The Lions’ gamble of throwing everything at the Currie Cup had backfired for the second year running.

For the Griquas, though, the long wait was finally over. Rising from underdogs to champions, Bergh’s side etched their names in history with a fairytale victory that will be remembered for decades to come.

Lions: Tries - Kelly Mpeku, Richard Kriel, Henco van Wyk Conv. - Chris Smith 2 Pen. - Smith, Lubabalo Dobela

Griquas: Tries - Cameron Hufke, Lourens Oosthuizen, Mnombo Zwelendaba Conv. - George Whitehead Pen. - Whitehead 2

Morgan Piek