KZN too strong for Pumas
KwaZulu-Natal picked up their first victory of the 2014 Craven Week when they managed to overcome a resilient Pumas side 38-27.
It was the second match in a row that the hosts tried winning after being behind for the most part of the game but, as with the match against Western Province on Monday, it was too little too late.
KZN domininant the early stages and had their efforts rewarded in the fifth minute when captain Jacobus Coetzee bulldozed his way through the Pumas' defence to finish off a well executed set-play from the back of the scrum. Curtis Jonas extended their lead by adding the conversion.
A barrage of attacks on the Pumas' defence saw KZN being awarded a kickable penalty in the 12th minute. Jonas successfully added the extra three points.
KZN fullback, Morne Joubert scored his side's second try of the match in the 17th minute when he side-stepped his away through four Pumas defenders to get the five pointer. Jonas added his conversion to take the score to 17-0.
Three minutes later, the coastal side got their fourth try of the match as the lock pairing of Tristan Dixon and Kevin du Randt combined well to set up Jonas who had an easy run-in. He then stepped up to calmly slot over the conversion.
It took the Pumas 32 minutes to unlock the KZN defence when the bounce of the ball favoured Mfundo Ndhlovu. Scrumhalf Stephanus Enslin's well executed chip-kick was followed up by Ndhlovu, who chased it down to add his side's first five pointer. Siyabonga Masuku failed to add the extra two points.
KZN led 24-5 at halftime.
The Pumas came out in the second half with more agression and took the game to the coastal boys. However, KZN stood firm in defence. KZN managed to get their fourth try of the game in the 41st minute when Coetzee got his second of the game when they managed to force a turn-over in the middle of the field. Jonas kept his 100% kicking record in-tact when he converted the try.
The Pumas hit back straight away when fullback, Barend Smit crossed the try-line in the 45th minute to reduce KZN's lead to 21 points.
Joubert got his second try in 50th minute when he rounded off a set-play in the middle of the field which saw him run onto a Jonas pass. Jonas made no mistake with the conversion to take his personal points tally to 18 points in the game.
It became a case of 'whatever you can do, we can do better' when Christoffel Steynberg got the Pumas their third try of the match when he touched down in the corner in the 52nd minute.
The Pumas weren't done yet when they displayed excellent running rugby in the 60th minute. The culmination of which, saw Telvin Mhlongo give a brilliant pass to Siyabonga Nkosi who claimed the Pumas' fourth try of the match. Smit made no mistake with the conversion and added the extra two points.
Steynberg brought some respectability to the scoreboard when he scored his second try of the match in the final minute of the game when he dotted down in the corner.
It proved to be a little too late for the hosts as KZN ran out comfortable 38-27 victors.
Man of the Match: For the Pumas, Christoffel Steynberg showed a high work rate and managed to score two tries. KZN's captain, Jacobus Coetzee led his team from the front and always looked a threat with ball in hand. Curtis Jonas was outstanding with the boot which led to him scoring the most points (18) of the match. But it was the speed and nifty footwork of fullback Morne Joubert who cut through the Pumas' defence with ease who got the vote.
The scorers:
For Pumas:
Tries: Ndhlovu, Smit, Steynberg 2, Mhlongo
Con: Smit
For KwaZulu-Natal:
Tries: Coetzee 2, Joubert 2, Jonas
Con: Jonas 5
Pens: Jonas
Teams:
Pumas: 15 Barend Smit, 14 Mfundo Ndhlovu, 13 Telvin Mhlongo, 12 Cyprian Nkomo, 11 Siyabonga Khalishwayo, 10 Siyabonga Masuku, 9 Stephanus Enslin, 8 Christiaan Schuld, 7 Christoffel Steynberg, 6 Given Mpumelelo, 5 Adriaan Bester, 4 Roelf Joubert, 3 Ruan Groenewald, 2 Marthienus Van der Merwe, 1 Bhekisa Shongwe.
Replacements: 16 Marthinus Enslin, 17 Cauwen Mashaba, 18 Wiehan Steyn, 19 Adriaan Le Roux, 20 Siyabonga Nkosi, 21 George Joubert, 22 Bernhard Kotzenberg.
KwaZulu-Natal: 15 Morne Joubert, 14 Philani Ngcobo, 13 Tristan James Blewett, 12 Wayne Smith, 11 Ilunga Mukendi, 10 Curtis Jonas, 9 Kwazikwenkosi Khanyile, 8 Jacobus Coetzee, 7 McMillan Muller, 6 James Venter, 5 Kevin du Randt, 4 Tristan Dixon, 3 Cody Thomas, 2 Siphesihle Mngadi, 1 Kenneth Van Niekerk.
Replacements: 16 Bradley Roberts, 17 Ngonidzashe Chidoma, 18 Jacobus Tredoux, 19 Bandisa Ndlovu, 20 James Hall, 21 Tristan Tedder, 22 Xolisa Guma.
Referee: Francois Pretorius
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Rodney Bonaparte
TMO: Jason Jaftha
