Coach Pieter Bergh has outlined the vital role scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer will play in Griquas’ quest to win the Currie Cup final against the Pumas in Kimberley on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports.

Ungerer has recovered from injury in time to take his place as the starting scrumhalf when Griquas host the Currie Cup final for the first time since 1970.

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Saturday’s match will be the 28-year-old’s last in Griquas colours as he has signed for the Stormers and will be joining the Capetonians next season.

Speaking in the build up to the final, Bergh emphasised the value of Ungerer’s pinpoint kicking game and how he expects this facet to be decisive.

“Stefan started against the Pumas two weeks ago and I think those 25 minutes that he played in that match was his best rugby of the year,” Bergh said. “He had an outstanding match before he had to come off – the way he pinned the Pumas in those first 25 minutes in Nelspruit with his kicking game.

“He is definitely one of the best kickers in South Africa. I think that’s why the Stormers specifically chose to sign him after the Currie Cup – the way he kicks and the European games that they will be playing in.

“We won the match in the second half with our kicking game, which Johan Mulder implemented once Stefan was off. So, we won’t go away from that. It is a final. We have to play in the right areas. The kicking game in finals is massively crucial.

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“We know what our plan is going to be with our kicking game and that’s why Stefan was picked. He has played so much rugby at this level and also has URC experience. Johhan will play in the last 20 or 30 minutes and he will bring something different from the bench, but his kicking game is also outstanding.”

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