On the weekend the Peacock Blues honoured their standout performers with an awards function in Kimberley.

The loose-forward, Hanru Sirgel, was the big winner by being named as the Player of the Year, while he also walked away with the accolades for the Players’ Player of the Year and Forward of the Year.

Sango Xamlashe, who captained the team in the backend of their season, was named as the Backline Player of the Year, in what was his debut season in first-class rugby.

Bergh told OFM Sport that whenever he was needed most, Sirgel was that man that stepped forward and led the way.

“He had a massive year for us,” said Bergh.

“Whenever we were under pressure or we were needing something in games to give us a bit of energy or intensity, Hanru was always that guy who gave us that spark.

“He was very good 5 metres out from the tryline with some penalty plays where he scored a lot of tries for us.

“Overall he had a very good season. He is someone with speed, he was very good in the lineout and he is a very good ball-carrier.

On Xamlashe Bergh felt that while the player started slowly at the team, he grew with each game and when it also mattered, he led by example.

“Sango, had a brilliant season. He had a slow start, he didn't start the first few matches, but when he got his opportunity, he played brilliant rugby.

“He scored some good tries for us in vital games and just overall his contribution was massive for us. It ended with him captaining the side in the Currie Cup final when Niel Otto was injured and unavailable for us.

“Sango is going from strength-to-strength and we hope that this season in his second year with us that he will continue to improve.”

The lock, Derik Pretorius, who played under Bergh at the Central University of Technology Ixias, was named as the Newcomer of the Year.

The Griquas will kick-off their season on 11 March when they host the Cheetahs in Kimberley in the opening round of the Currie Cup.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport