Defending Carling Currie Cup champions Suzuki Griquas sent out a massive warning to the rest of the competition, smashing a poor Vodacom Bulls side 56-26 in Kimberley on Saturday night.
Scrumhalf Bobby Alexander celebrated his 50th appearance for the side with a hat-trick and he was matched by winger Gurshwin Wehr - two of which were easy intercepts gifted late in the game by a desperate Bulls side.
Pieter Bergh's side have always been tough to beat in the Northern Cape capital, but more so when the field is hard and his team is in the mood for running at the opposition.
And on Saturday night the wheels were spinning as his side looked to get every opportunity to take on their famous opposition.
While the teams’ colours clashed - whoever sanctioned the jerseys needs a rethink - there was only one side on the field, and the defending Currie Cup champions showed why this tournament’s trophy will be difficult to move away from Kimberley with the style of rugby they play.
The Suzuki Griquas put on an attacking masterclass in Kimberley 👏#SSRugby #CurrieCup pic.twitter.com/mlW1kyeteQ
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 25, 2026
The fact that they won’t face the All Blacks is a travesty because it would be a game of epic proportions where entertaining rugby would have been the order of the day, but for now the Peacock Blues will need to focus their attention on retaining their trophy.
Against a Bulls side that seems to be struggling to find its own identity this was never going to be a contest.
Filled with experience, the Pretoria team has a side whose stars have had little time on the field, and really look to be struggling to find the form that made them signings at the Bulls.
Hardly their fault of course, but in a place like Kimberley there is very little place to hide.
And so Griquas literally ran the Bulls off their feet on Saturday night. It was always a contest for them to win and the Bulls to lose and when the visitors finally tried to make a game from it, they had some success, but also fell into the trap of throwing the ball around at a whim, several of which were plucked off by the Griquas counter attack.
SPEEDY GRIQUAS AT THEIR BEST
And as they say, speed has no answer, and this Griquas side has plenty of it.
From the start it was clear they were there to run, and run they did.
With George Whitehead to pull the strings from 10, it wasn’t surprising that the scoreboard kept on ticking, and the Bulls got more desperate.
It was Alexander that opened the scoring with a sensational run that tore the Bulls' defence apart. Cameron Hufke was on his way to the tryline when he pulled a hamstring, but still managed to chip ahead for Wehr to pick up the bounce and score, leaving his side 14-0 up.
Griquas rugby at it's best!
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 25, 2026
Just when you think Cameron Hufke has pulled up injured, he puts the perfect kick through for Gurshwin Wehr to finish off 🤯⚡️#SSRugby #CurrieCup pic.twitter.com/s9gakzzW9D
If there were to be a few highlights for the Bulls, it was the arrival of Hakeem Kunene, who scored next and showed some gas to keep his side in the game.
Kunene, along with Keagan Johannes at flyhalf and newbie Riyaad Bam looked the business, as was the brave performance by Nama Xaba as captain.
But too often their mistakes were punished and too often the Bulls were just too loose.
Because even though they had gotten themselves onto the scoreboard, their play was poor. A mistimed kick downfield after some good work exiting their own 22 was given straight to Alexander and like an arrow he aimed for the corner with speed and scored while the Bulls were catching their breath.
IG Prinsloo went over shortly afterwards from close range to give the home side their bonus point.
Veteran Devan Williams scored just before the halftime break with a lovely run to beat the defender on the outside, and his side looked to still be in the game at 28-17 down.
But that was taken away from them shortly after the break, as Griquas put the hammer down to take control of the match.
Lourens Oosthuizen crossed the whitewash and Alexander got his second, and it was game over for the Bulls, who were still desperately hoping for a miracle.
Bam gave them some hope, as a turnover ball found its way to him and a beauty of a sidestep and pinning his ears back and swerving inward beat the defence for a lovely solo try.
It was the last time the Bulls would have hope though.
Because shortly afterwards they threw two interceptions - both off promising attacks - to Wehr, who accepted and scored, leaving the scoreline to balloon out and a long trip home for the Bulls to think about their campaign and how they can turn it around after two defeats and only showing glimpses of what they are capable of.
GRIQUAS – Tries: Bobby Alexander (3), Gurswin Wehr (3), IG Prinsloo, Louis Oosthuizen. Conversions: George Whitehead (8).
BULLS XV – Tries: PA van Niekerk, Hakeem Kunene, Devon Williams, Riyaad Bam. Conversions: Keagan Johannes (3).