Rugby
Griquas to paint Kimberley’s streets peacock blue─── MORGAN PIEK 08:02 Tue, 23 Sep 2025
The triumphant Suzuki Griquas will paint the streets of Kimberley peacock blue on Tuesday when they embark on their much-anticipated trophy tour, celebrating their historic Currie Cup victory – their first in 55 years.
On Saturday, the Griquas claimed the ultimate honour after edging the Lions 27-25 at Ellis Park, clinching the world’s oldest domestic rugby competition thanks to a clutch penalty by veteran flyhalf George Whitehead.
It was a massive moment for sport in the Northern Cape – and one that loyal Griquas supporters have been waiting for since 1970, when their team famously beat a star-studded Northern Transvaal (now the Bulls) 11-9.
Carl Els, Zane Bester, and Derik Pretorius. Photo: Morgan Piek
By Sunday, thousands of fans had already lined the streets of the Diamond City to welcome the team bus back from Johannesburg, after the historic triumph that brought the iconic trophy back to Kimberley for the fourth time.
Coach Pieter Bergh said he always believed in his players and their abilities, crediting their season-long slogan, “Find a way”, for inspiring the team’s resilience.
“ ‘Find a way’ has been our motto all year. I told the players before the game that Griquas are known for passion and for never giving up,” said Bergh.
“That’s all I expected from them – to play with heart and fight until the end. We had a plan, but it was about desperation in the small moments too, like Dylan Matt’s tackle on Angelo Davids in the corner.
“That’s a team fighting for each other. And when you work that hard, the luck comes your way. I’m just so proud and very happy.”
The trophy tour will start at the Suzuki Stadium at 10:15, before weaving its way through several of the city’s main roads and residential areas.
From Jacobus Smit Street, the route passes the Honoured Dead Memorial, continues along Dalham and Bultfontein roads, and then turns into Long Street and West Circular Road. From there, the convoy moves through Tucker Street, Barkley Way, Midlands Road, and Eagle Road, with the first stop scheduled at Shoprite U Save.
Cameron Hufke, Pieter Bergh, and Connor Mahoney. Photo:- Morgan Piek
The celebrations then head towards Community Residential Area 3 and Lerato Park Sand and Stone, before looping back via Barkly Road. From there, the route flows through Selele Street, with another stop at Pick n Pay Galeshewe, ensuring supporters across the city get a chance to join the festivities.
The convoy will then travel along Nobengula Street and Schmidsdrift Road, passing OK Towers, before continuing through Waterworks Street, Gerrit Schouten Way, and MacDougall Street.
The grand finale will be at Diamond Pavilion Mall, where an autograph session is scheduled between 13:30 and 14:30 – giving fans the chance to meet their Currie Cup champions up close.
Detailed Route:
- Suzuki Stadium onto Jacobus Smit Street
- Toward Honoured Dead Memorial
- Onto Dalham Road
- Onto Bultfontein Road
- Onto Long Street
- To West Circular Road
- To Tucker Street
- To Barkley Way
- To Midlands Road
- To Eagle Road
- Stop at Shoprite U Save
- Around the circle toward Community Residential Area 3
- Towards Lerato Park Sand and Stone
- Back onto Barkly Road
- To Selele Street
- Stop at Pick n Pay Galeshewe
- Onto Nobengula Street
- Down Schmidsdrift Road (past OK Towers)
- Down Waterworks Street
- To Gerrit Schouten Way
- To Mac Dougall Street
- Towards Diamond Pavilion Mall
- Autograph session at Diamond Pavilion Mall: 13:30 to 14:30
