It has already been a remarkable year for Diamantveld under coach Vlos Molnar. Not only did they retain the Wesgrow Sentrale Sportsreeks 1st XV rugby title, but they also etched their name into the record books by winning the Kovsie Liga crown for the first time in the school’s history.
Now, the Kimberley-based Griqualand West school has yet another reason to celebrate. In 2025, their provincial flagship side, Griquas, ended a 55-year wait by lifting the Currie Cup, edging the Lions 27–25 in Johannesburg thanks to a last-gasp penalty awarded after a TMO review. The kicker who held his nerve in that pressure moment? None other than Diamantveld assistant coach, George Whitehead.
Whitehead has been central to Griquas’ fairytale campaign. If he isn’t named Currie Cup Player of the Season, he will surely be in the conversation. His metronomic kicking, cool-headed decision-making and creative flourishes have underpinned a career defined by consistency and resilience.
In a touching moment after the final whistle, Whitehead — something of a journeyman across South African rugby — summed up the occasion by calling it “the biggest win for me personally.”
His story has a poetic arc. Many moons ago, Whitehead was part of what many still regard as the greatest South African schoolboy rugby team of all time — the Grey College 1st XV of 2007. That year he served as the trusted kicker, sharing the field with future Springbok prop Coenie Oosthuizen, Lappies Labuschagne (Japan), the amazing Ebersohn twins Robert and Sias, and even current Grey head coach Jannie Geldenhuys. It was a side for the ages, and George Whitehead’s journey from Bloemfontein prodigy to Kimberley hero has now come full circle.
Note: Another interesting connection between union and school is Griquas head coach Pieter Bergh is the brother of Oloff, the Diamantveld Head of Rugby.
Diamantveld coaches – Vlos Molnar, George Whitehead and Bok Markram (Former Griquas captain)
The Bergh brothers – Pieter and Oloff
From a heavy-hearted Lions fan…well done Griquas, George Whitehead and the Bergh brothers…
Also to Makulu old man Mr Markgraaf, wow a loyal servant of the game and the Griquas Union…for what feels like a half century or more.
Well done! Well done aan Diamantveld se skitter seisoen asook die coaches en almal wat n great effort gemaak het daar.
Van hierdie Vrystater af,ek dink nie daar is n unie wat dit meer verdien as die Griquas nie,well done aan julle ,ek het Gister my longe uit geskree vir julle💪💪💪💪