Know Your Coach Series powered by Megafoon Rugby
When you think about rugby royalty in South Africa, places like Pretoria, Cape Town or Durban immediately come to mind. Rarely does Wellington – the small Boland town tucked between vineyards and mountains – get a mention. But that’s where Pieter Bergh, head coach of the Griquas, began his journey. And today, he’s fast becoming one of the most respected minds in South African rugby.
In this episode of the Know Your Coach series, hosted by MW Welman, we got to know the man behind the tactical systems and quiet rise of Griquas rugby. From humble beginnings and analyst shifts paid at R10/hour to steering his side to a Currie Cup final, Bergh’s journey is a testament to graft, grit, and a deep tactical brain.
A Childhood Shaped by Rugby and Boland Roots
Bergh’s rugby roots run deep – not through traditional powerhouse schools, but through sheer proximity and passion. “I literally lived opposite the Boland Stadium,” he laughed. “We used to play on that field daily. It was our backyard.”
His father, the former CEO of Boland Rugby, had an enormous influence on his life – not by pushing him into the game, but by exposing him to the rhythms of the sport from a young age. Craven Week in Wellington in 2003 was supposed to be his springboard to a cricketing stint in England, but rugby won the tug-of-war.
A brief stint at Pukke on a rugby bursary followed, but Bergh returned to Wellington, completed a B.Com through UNISA, and immersed himself in coaching at his alma mater, Hugenote High. His transition from player to coach was sparked not by injury alone, but by a self-awareness rare in the sport: “I knew I had limitations as a player. Coaching came naturally.”
Coaching by the Hour: The Birth of an Analyst
Bergh’s analytical mind made him a natural fit in the data-driven side of the game. Starting as a video analyst at Boland under Hawies Fourie, he was paid R10/hour to break down VHS tapes. “It wasn’t glamorous, but I learned so much. Coding games for 12 hours – you don’t miss anything.”
This analytical grounding still defines his approach. “The more you know, the fewer surprises. Preparation is everything,” Bergh explains. It’s no surprise then that he built his coaching identity not as a charismatic man-manager, but as a systems guy – tactical, thoughtful, and forensic in his analysis.
Tactical Mastermind in Kimberley
In 2012, after years at Boland, Bergh accepted an offer to join Griquas as an analyst and defence coach. It was a deliberate move to shed the “CEO’s son” tag and prove himself away from home. It worked.
Thirteen years later, Bergh isn’t just Griquas’ head coach – he’s the heartbeat of a system that’s turned Griquas into serious contenders in the Currie Cup, frequently outsmarting and outplaying their more resourced counterparts.
We’re always the underdogs,” he admits, “but that’s our advantage. We plan to beat teams we’re not supposed to beat.”
In Kimberley, he’s found a field of rugby dreams – albeit with some quirks. “It’s one of the driest, windiest, fastest fields in SA,” he explains. “The wind is brutal. It’s unpredictable. A lot of teams just don’t know how to play here. That’s our edge.”
Building a Coaching Unit from Scratch
At bigger franchises, a head coach might focus on motivation and macro planning. Not so at Griquas. With a limited budget and lean structures, Bergh wears multiple hats – attack coach, defence coach, kicking coach. “You need to know every part of the game. There’s no hiding here.”
His coaching team includes former Springboks Franco van der Merwe (forwards and line-outs) and Wian du Preez (scrums), alongside Brendell Brandt (backs and skills). “They’ve got the playing pedigree. I’ve got the coaching hours. It’s a great blend,” Bergh says.
Player Philosophy: Hungry Over High-Profile
Bergh’s recruitment ethos is clear – Griquas is no retirement home. “We’re not signing players winding down their careers. We want players who don’t want to be here long – young, hungry, and eager to grow.”
This approach has unearthed diamonds in the rough. He speaks proudly of signings like Dylan Sjöblom (now at the Lions) and Cameron Hufke, and of identifying Connor Mahoney from club rugby streams. “We need to get four out of five signings right. There’s no room for error,” Bergh says bluntly.
He’s honest about the player churn – a small union like Griquas will lose talent to bigger fish. “Recruitment is everything. We’re constantly planning – who’s out of contract in six months? Who replaces them? I need to know a player’s strengths and weaknesses the moment an agent calls.”
The Currie Cup: Not Just Relevant, But Sacred
The Currie Cup has taken hits in recent years – scheduling changes, watered-down squads, and debate about its relevance. Bergh is unwavering in his defence.
“It’s our Super Rugby. It’s our big stage. The intensity, the pride, it’s all still there. The players want to win it. I want to win it – badly.”
He dreams of scenes like the packed 2022 final in Kimberley, where Griquas came up just short against the Pumas. “That day… I still get goosebumps. If we can recreate that – full stadiums, people believing – that’s success.”
International Aspirations: Ready for the Big Stage?
Asked about Griquas’ future beyond domestic competition, Bergh is candid: “We’re not ready now for an international comp. But if we get the same SARU funding as the URC teams, we will be.”
He sees a future where SA has more than four competitive franchises. “Why can’t we be the fifth or sixth? There’s enough talent. Give us the budget and the platform, and we’ll be ready.”
He’s even open to teaming up with the Cheetahs for Super Rugby or Major League Rugby. “The player base is there. We just need the opportunity.”
Modern Coaching, Old School Values
Bergh doesn’t shout for effect. He doesn’t dominate players. But he demands professionalism. “I expect discipline, effort, and honesty. I don’t treat George Whitehead the same way I treat a 21-year-old. But I treat everyone fairly.”
He straddles the line between old-school toughness and new-age empathy. “I still want players to play for me. That connection matters. And they’ll always know where they stand with me.”
The Griquas Vision: Best of the Rest
Bergh is clear on his goals: “We want to be the best non-URC franchise in SA. That’s our mountain to climb.”
With the Currie Cup returning and a fierce rivalry with the Pumas rekindled, Griquas have a golden opportunity to start strong. “We’ve got three of our first four games at home. A good start, and we’re in the mix.”
The goal? Not just a playoff spot – a trophy. “We’ve built a squad to win. That’s the dream. But even if we don’t, if the people of Kimberley come back to the stadium because of the way we play – that’s a win too.”
Final Whistle
Pieter Bergh’s story is everything South African rugby is about – passion, community, underdog fight, and tactical intelligence. In a system dominated by big unions and big budgets, he’s carved out a niche by doing things differently: out-thinking opponents, unearthing talent, and never forgetting where he came from.
From a boy watching rugby across the street to a coach leading one of the country’s most resilient teams, Bergh has become more than a Currie Cup coach. He’s a symbol of what’s still possible in South African rugby’s rich but changing landscape.
