Ellis Park was left stunned on Saturday as George Whitehead, the ice-veined flyhalf from Kimberley, split the uprights in the final seconds to hand Griquas a 27–25 Currie Cup triumph over the Lions.
The moment George Whitehead wrote his name into #CurrieCup history 🤩🎯#SSRugby pic.twitter.com/5SjYQRP9E7
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) September 20, 2025
For the men from Johannesburg, it was heartbreak déjà vu. The were denied once again at the death, just as they were a year ago. For Griquas, it was sweet resurrection: their first Currie Cup crown since 1970, ending a drought older than most of their squad.
The match swung like a pendulum in a gale. Griquas struck early through Cameron Hufke before Kelly Mpeku and Richard Kriel countered to give the Lions a narrow 17–14 halftime edge.
The see-saw continued after the break, Henco van Wyk cashing in on a lucky bounce before Mnombo Zwelendaba bulldozed over to tilt the contest back Griquas’ way.
With less than a minute to go, Lions replacement Lubabalo Dobela slotted a penalty that had the Highveld faithful tasting victory at 25–24. But fate wasn’t finished. A TMO call exposed a cynical slap-down by Ruan Delport, gifting Whitehead the chance to play executioner.
The veteran didn’t blink. His strike sailed between the sticks, arms raised before the flags even confirmed it.
Fifty-five years of frustration evaporated in one sweet kick, as Griquas carved their name back into Currie Cup history.
Scorers
Lions (25 – 17)
Tries: Kelly Mpeku, Richard Kriel, Henco van Wyk
Conversions: Chris Smith (2)
Penalty goals: Smith, Lubabalo Dobela
Griquas (27 – 14)
Tries: Cameron Hufke, Lourens Oosthuizen, Mnombo Zwelendaba
Conversions: George Whitehead (3)
Penalty goals: Whitehead (2)
