Pampas rewrite history
The Pampas XV wrote their own chapter in the Argentine and South African history books with a clinical 14-9 victory over the Blue Bulls – to win the Vodacom Cup Final in Potchefstroom on Friday.
Not only have they gone through the entire season unbeaten, but they became the first foreign team to win this secondary South African competition – which this year also featured the Namibian Welwitchias and in past seasons had a side from Zimbabwe competing.
The Pampas, who failed to reach the quarterfinals on debut last season, dominated the match from the start and were never really threatened by the title holders.
The hosts took the early advantage when flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez slotted a penalty in the opening minutes to give them a 3-0 lead.
The only other points in the first half came 20 minutes later from Pampas right wing Agustin Gosio, who capitalised on some team work after the hosts swung wide to storm over for his eighth try of the competition.
Pampas held an 8-0 lead at half-time, and Sanchez wasted little time in stretching the gap further with another penalty shortly after the break.
The Blue Bulls pulled three points back when flyhalf Maritz Boshoff put them on the board with a penalty in the 50th minute.
The home side fought back, however, eight minutes later with three points of their own through Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, who had replaced Sanchez 10 minutes after the break.
Boshoff struck with another penalty midway through the second period, and with three minutes remaining he added a third to put pressure on Pampas for the first time.
The Argentine side nonetheless held on to clinch the title with their 11th successive win of the competition.
Pampas captain Miguel de Achaval said it had taken commitment from his side to hold off a late charge from the defending champions.
“It was a very tough match in the end and we had to concentrate not to give away penalties,” said De Achaval.
“But we are happy today and now we can celebrate.”
The scorers:
For the Pampas XV:
Try: Gosio
Pens: Sanchez 2, Iglesias
For the Blue Bulls:
Pens: Boshoff 3
The teams:
Pampas XV: 15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Román Miralles, 13 Gabriel Ascárate, 12 Agustín Gosio, 11 Juan Imhoff, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Martín Landajo, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Julio Farías Cabello, 6 Miguel de Achaval (captain), 5 Mariano Galarza, 4 Benjamín Macome, 3 Maximiliano Bustos, 2 Agustín Creevy, 1 Bruno Postiglioni.
Replacements: 16 Mauricio Guidone, 17 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18 Genaro Fessia, 19 Tomás Leonardi, 20 Tomás Cubelli, 21 Santiago González Iglesias, 22 Belisario Agulla.
Blue Bulls: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sampie Mastriet, 13 Stefan Watermeyer, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Hayden Groepes, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Ruan Snyman, 8 Gerrit-Jan van Velze (captain), 7 Marnus Schoeman, 6 Okkie Kruger, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Cornell Hess, 3 Stephanus Pretorius, 2 Zane Botha, 1 Morné Mellett.
Replacements: 16 Henri Bantjes, 17 Corné Fourie, 18 Mthunzi Mabeta, 19 CJ Stander, 20 Dustin Jinka, 21 Wesley Dunlop, 22 Bradley Moolman.
Referee: Stuart Berry
Assistant referees: Sindile Mayende Johan Greeff
TMO: JC Fortuin
SAPA
