The Griquas were crowned Currie Cup champions for the first time in 55 years on Saturday, stunning the Ellis Park faithful with a dramatic 27-25 victory over the Lions. While the Peacock Blues will only lose a few players to other sides, the core of their squad will stay intact for next season. 

That said, some players are stepping up after securing loan deals with the big unions to feature in the URC.

Cebo Dlamini. Photo: Morgan Piek

Prop Leon Lyons has signed a two-year contract with the Stormers and will continue his career in Cape Town, where he’ll be joined by Hencus van Wyk of the Toyota Cheetahs.

In addition, three of the Griquas’ exciting Currie Cup winners – Dylan Maart, Gurswin Wehr and Caleb Abrahams – are also set to link up with the Stormers on loan deals. However, it’s not yet clear when they will head down to the Mother City.

Meanwhile, captain and tighthead prop Cebo Dlamini is set to return to his native KwaZulu-Natal to join the Sharks on loan.

Griquas coach Pieter Bergh told OFM Sport that several of his players now have the chance to test themselves at a higher level, with more names potentially in line for URC opportunities.

“Our captain is going to the Sharks for a few months. It looks like our two wingers, Dylan Maart and Gurswin Wehr, are going to the Stormers,” Bergh said.

“And then scrumhalf Caleb Abrahams is also set to go to the Stormers. The Sharks and Stormers are going on tour for three weeks, so it will probably only be when they come back.

Dylan Maart. Photo: Morgan Piek

“There have also been one or two enquiries about other players. A lot of these guys deserve to play at a higher level, and hopefully they get that opportunity.”

Stormers assistant coach Dawie Snyman told OFM Sport that while the timing of the Griquas contingent’s arrival is uncertain, the Cape franchise is excited about exposing talents like Abrahams, Maart, and Wehr to URC rugby.

“Hopefully they make it – I’m not sure where they are in terms of the celebrations right now,” Snyman laughed.

“But that was great – well done to the Griquas. It was a phenomenal performance. They’ve been consistent all season, actually for the last two or three seasons.

“Like you said, for those players to come through and get a shot at the URC is amazing. Congratulations again to everyone who worked so hard behind the scenes, and hopefully we can reward some of their players who really put up their hands.”

Caleb Abrahams. Photo: Morgan Piek

The Stormers will kick-off their URC campaign on Friday night when they host defending champions Leinster at Cape Town Stadium. A week later, they’ll face the Ospreys, before jetting off to Europe to take on the Scarlets, Zebre, and Benetton.

The Sharks, in turn, will also kick off their season on Friday when they face Franco Smith’s Glasgow Warriors, with this game at the Scotstoun Stadium kicking off at 21:05.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek  mvh