Griquas v Lions in Final

The two most successful teams in Vodacom Cup history, Griquas and the Golden Lions, will contest the 2014 Final.

Both won their semifinals away from home this weekend.

In both matches, the team that scored more tries were knocked out and the points' difference in both the semifinals in Nelspruit and Pretoria were a single point.

On Friday in Nelspruit, the Pumas lost their first match of the season when they went down by 14-15 to four-time champions, Griquas, after a last-minute penalty goal by fullback Gouws Prinsloo.

The visitors to the Mbombela Stadium had the best possible start when flyhalf Francois Brummer put them ahead by 3-0 after only 20 seconds with a well-struck drop-goal.

It was in all likelihood the quickest first-class drop-goal in the history of South African rugby.

Griquas turned over possession after kicking off. Brummer's right foot connected with the ball on 18 seconds and two seconds later, the ball bounced on and over the crossbar.

On 22 September 2009, Willem de Waal slotted a drop-goal for the Free State Cheetahs after only 22 seconds in an Currie Cup match against Western Province.

Brummer's drop-goal and two further penalty goals saw Griquas lead by 9-3 at the break after they played classic knock-out rugby in the first half.

The home team clawed their way back strongly in the second half. Pumas flank and captain, Corné Steenkamp, went over after a superb line-out drive with 13 minutes left and they and took a 14-12 lead six minutes later when flyhalf JC Roos slotted his third penalty goal.

But Prinsloo had the last say and he made no mistake to ensure Griquas will host their fifth Vodacom Cup Final next weekend.

On Saturday at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, the Golden Lions ensured they will have an opportunity to defend their 2013 title when they knocked out the Blue Bulls by 16-15.

Flyhalf Willie du Plessis, a product of Affies in Pretoria who still played for the Blue Bulls last year, kicked 11 points for the visitors as they basically had the match under control from start to finish.

Golden Lions wing Selom Gavor scored their only try late in the first half, but the Blue Bulls hit back a few minutes later when inside centre Burger Odendaal exploited poor defence by the visitors to score a converted try.

The Blue Bulls edged their way back into contention, but they struggled to finish.

Du Plessis kicked his third penalty with eight minutes left in the match, but the home team again came back strongly when replacement flank Roelof Smit was driven over.

Tian Schoeman failed to add the conversion and the Golden Lions held out to go through to their second consecutive Vodacom Cup Final.

Vodacom Cup Final:

Friday, May 16

Griquas v Golden Lions

(GWK Park, Kimberley – Kick-off: 19:10; 17.10 GMT)

Vodacom Cup semifinals:

Scores and scorers:

Pumas 14 (3) Griquas 15 (9)

Scorers:

Pumas:

Try: Steenkamp

Pens: Roos 3

Griquas:

Pens: Prinsloo 4

DG: Brummer

Blue Bulls 15 (7) Golden Lions 16 (10)

Scorers:

Blue Bulls:

Tries: Odendaal, Smit

Con: Jantjies

Pen: Jantjies

Golden Lions:

Try: Gavor

Con: Du Plessis

Pens: Du Plessis 3