The Suzuki Griquas are excited at the prospect of Kimberley having a team in the Varsity Shield as of 2025. The Sol Plaatje University in the city qualified to play in the tournament and it will be the first time that a team from the Northern Cape will play in the competition. 

While the SPU will play in the competition, they still have a long road to walk and the first season in particular will be tough.

The Griquas coach, Pieter Bergh, told OFM Sport that it’s important for them to look after SPU and now they will be able to attract and retain players such as Cameron Hufke and develop them.

Cameron Hufke. Picture: Louis Botha Fotografie/Griquas

“We’ve contracted a guy like Cameron Hufke now, but when he was at Northern Cape High School. He wasn’t ready at 19 to play in the Currie Cup. So, for us to give him a contract and put him here at 19, without him playing in the Currie Cup, is not good for his development because he would just train and not play any rugby. 

“So, he had to go to a university where he could play rugby and develop. I mean, even with the academies we have these days, they don’t play a lot of games here at Varsity, you get the Shield, you get the USSA tournament, and you get a lot more rugby. I think that’s the aim for us going forward.

“If we can help them with recruitment if we can identify players with them that we feel – especially from the Northern Cape, but also from the rest of the country – we can give an opportunity, [they can play and be developed]. 

‘The Varsity Shield will draw players’

“They share the same stadium as us, the SPU. They share the same facilities with us. They are where we can keep an eye on them and the talent there. It will be a great story. The process has started now, but I don’t think we’ll get one or two players soon, or this year. Maybe in the next year or two, recruitment will really start happening for them.

“I think the Varsity Shield will be something that will draw players, which is something we haven’t had. We can say, okay, you are going to play Varsity Shield in your position to show us whether you are good enough for the next step.”

Bergh, who is no stranger to Varsity rugby, added that there is a lot of work to be done, but it’s a starting point, and with hard work and determination, SPU, may eventually end up playing in the Varsity Cup.

“We also understand there’s a big, big difference between the Shield and the Cup. But the biggest thing is, it’s a starting point and it’s an area where we can now really help them and identify and make them stronger.

“With no disrespect to CUT, but if CUT can play in the Cup with the numbers they have, and it’s one of the smallest universities, I mean, surely there’s no reason why the SPU – with a bit of drive, financial backing and Griquas backing – in the next five to ten years can’t also play in the Cup.”

Bergh previously coached the CUT’s team in Bloemfontein, who themselves played in the Shield for many years before being promoted to the Varsity Cup.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg/mvh