Resilient Pumas press past Griffons

Despite outscoring the Pumas four tries to three, the Griffons' efforts were not enough to prevent the loss.

The Griffons made a determined start to the game, forcing the Pumas to defend deep inside their own half, buta clear try-scoring opportunity went astray as they knocked on the ball on the try line.

In a tightly contested match the referee had his work cut out as both sides gave away easy penalties.

Pumas won a penalty and opted to kick at poles. Stefan van der Bank kick had distance but lacked accuracy and the score remain 0-0 after 10 minutes.

As the match progressed, Griffons looked more likely to score, but it was the Pumas who registered the first points on the board through another penalty. This time Stefan van der Bank  made no mistake as he slotted over the three points in the 15th minutes.

Minutes late Griffons again conceded a penalty on their 22. Van der Bank gave a solid strike and extended his team's lead to 6-0.

While Van der Bank was doing all the work with his boot, Griffons produced some positive running rugby which saw them made they way inside the Pumas' 22. Griffons were rewarded with a penalty and Richman Gora opted for a quick tap-and-go as he shifted wide and gave a pop pass to Reinard van der Vyver. The hooker bashed past defenders to go overfor a potential try. Unfortunately for the Griffons, the TMO ruled it was inconclusive if the ball was grounded and the Griffons still found themselves trailing 0-6 with 20 minutes on the clock.

The opening try came from a from the scrum, the little scrumhalf Jason Roux side-stepping his way through some weak defence to over in the corner.

With 10 minutes to go, Pumas hit back with a Wandile Shabangu try. The  flank received a pop pass from his teammate and went over the line. Stefan van der Bank  stepped up to extend his team's lead 13-5.

Once again the Griffons conceded a penalty. Van der Bank failed to slot the 50-metre kick and the score remained 13-5 to his side.

After 30 minutes of play, the referee's patience was wearing thin as he instructed the Griffons captain to have a chat with his team.

It appeared that the talk helped, because minutes later the backline produced some nice interchanging passes which started deep inside their own half to send Gift Dlamini on his way for a breakaway try under the poles. Andre Kota stepped up and added the extras.

At the break the Pumas led the Griffons 16-12.

A try-scoring opportunity came in the 39th minute as a steal from the Griffons. Lubabalo Mteyisi sliped a few tackles to send flank Kyle Els on his way for a try. Andrew Kota stepped up and gave his team the lead (19-16) for the first time in the second half.  

Minutes later Pumas' defence gave away another penalty inside their red zone, Andrew Kota slotted over a really easy kick and extended his teams' lead 22-16.

After scoring a lack of concentration by the Griffons made it easy for the fast Boet Heyl to score a try in the 45th minute. Heyl and Van Der Bank brought the Pumas right back into the contest as the lead shifted to the Pumas 23-22.

After losing the lead, the Griffons founds themselves with one man down, when Jan Scheepers was given a yellow card for a high tackle. From the penaltyVan der Bank stroked the ball well and extended the lead to 26-22.

The game was still hanging in the balance as the Griffons continued to attack despite having only 14 men. The Griffons fourth try came from a line-out. They retained the possession and shifted it wide. Marko Labuschagne with ball in hand slipped a few tackles and set up Thruimp Baloyi for the try. Andrew Kota made  no mistake and shifted lead to his team at 29-26.

With ten minutes to go the Pumas were in search of the vital points to secure them a win. Pumas continued to press forward and from the scrum JC Pretorius picked up the ball and ripped the Griffons' defence to pieces as he went over to shift the lead to his team. 31-26 with five minutes to play.

Given the nature of the match both sides refused to throw in the towel.  One minute to go the drama just continued as Griffons ran the ball out of their half. Pace setter Richman Gora led his team's attack and finally their efforts were rewarded as they won a penalty near the Pumas' 10-metre line. Kota stepped up and the wing's kick droped just short.

The final score 31-29 in Pumas favour.

Man of the Match: Pumas Stefan van der Bank  dictated much of the play with nice chip kicks that placed his backline in spaces. while Griffons Marko Labuschagne was good on defence and attack, with his show-and-go. He set up most of his team's tries. But our man of the match goes to JC Pretorius with his strong runs. Griffons struggled to tamed him.

The scorers:

For Pumas:

Tries: Wandile Shabangu, Boet Heyl, JC Pretorius

Con: Stefan van der Bank

Pens: Stefan van der Bank 2

For Griffons:

Tries: Jason Roux, Gift Dlamini, Kyle Els, Thruimp Baloyi

Cons: Andrew Kota 3

Pen: Andrew Kota

Yellow Card: Jan Scheepers on the 47 th minute for a high tackle.

Pumas:  Ryan Cloete, Prince Nkabinde , Marnus Kruger ,  Riaz Adebayo ,  Percy Mkhwanazi ,  Stefan van der Bank , Jaco Joubert , 8 Junior Schmidt ,  Wandile Shabangu ,  JC Pretorius ,  KP de Jager ,  Vusi Mkhanza ,  Dewald Maritz ,  Ruben Cross , Morgan Naudé (Nelspruit), 16 SP Muller ,  Nkosinathi Mthethwa , Hloni Mputi, Sibusiso Madonsela ,  Brandon Magadulela ,  Thabiso Mkhwebane , Boet Heyl ,  Julian Claasen

Griffons:  Marko Labuschagne , Andréw Kota ,  Lubabalo Mteyisi , Jason Wagman ,  Wian van Staden , Dealine Jafta , Richman Gora  ,  Gift Dlamini ,  Jan Scheepers ,  Kyle Els ,  Pieter van der Westhuizen , DJ Hattingh , Francois Klopper , Reinard van der Vyver ,  Winrich Kennedy ,Duke Jantjies , Ruben Breedt  JW Meades , Dian de Beer ,  Michael Janse van Rensburg ,  Jason Roux ,  Thruimp Baloyi, David Essen .

Referee: Oregopotse Rametsi

Assistant referees: Sindile Ngcese, Mpho Matsaung

Television match official: Joey Klaaste-Salmans