Griquas' late score stuns Pumas in Nelspruit
MATCH REPORT: The Griquas cement the Currie Cup third spot with a dramatic 45-44 win over Pumas at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
*To recap all the action CLICK HERE!!!
The result means that the team from Kimberley finish in third place on the log with 36 points for a spot in next weeks’ semi-finals, while the Pumas finished fourth on 29 points thanks to their two bonus-points, also securing a place in the top four.
The visiting side from the Northern Cape scored twice early on but it was the Mpumalanga outfit who quickly shifted into a higher gear to outscore the visitors by three tries to two, whilst also adding two penalty goal kicks and a drop goal for a handy 30-14 half-team lead.
But the team from Kimberley showed their famous grit and determination to firstly fight their way back steadily throughout the second half, placing themselves within striking distance at the right time for Boshoff to step up and finish the job, which left the Pumas and their supporter’ shell shocked.
John Mulder (replacement fullback), Munier Hartzenberg (wing), Rynhardt Jonker (centre) and Werner Gouws (replacement hooker) crossed the hosts’ tryline for the visiting side in a pulsating second-half comeback, while Boshoff showed ice cool temperament to slot four conversions and also that penalty goal at the end for a crucial personal contribution of 11 points.
Eddie Fouche hit the target with five conversions and two successful penalty goals for the Lowvelders for 16 points, however, his effort with the reliable boot was not enough to prevent Niel Otto’s team from grabbing a remarkable victory.
In the first half, when things were going very well for them, Tapiwa Mafura (right wing), Ignatius Prinsloo and Chriswill September (scrumhalf) each scored a try for the Mpumalanga hosts, while Fouche converted all three tries.
Stefan Ungerer (scrumhalf) and Hanru Sirgel (flank) dotted down for the Peacock Blues’ first-half tries, which were converted by captain and flyhalf George Whitehead.
The 30-14 scoreline was an accurate reflection of the home team’s first-half display as they made the most of their try-scoring opportunities while the ever-dependable Eddie Fouche was deadly off the kicking tee. Flyhalf Tinus de Beer added a snap drop goal to the delight of the home fans inside the Mbombela Stadium.
But the men from Kimberly showed with a spirited fightback in the second half, which netted four tries, four conversions and a penalty goal, while they are worthy playoff qualifiers.
Man of the match: Despite being on the losing team, Pumas flyhalf Thinus de Beer was incredible. He steered his team really well and set up a few of his tries.
The scorers:
For Pumas:
Tries: Prinsloo, Mafura 2, September, Stighling
Cons: Fouche 4
Pens: Fouche 2, De Beer
For Griquas:
Tries: Ungerer, Sirgel, Mulder, Hartzenberg, Jonker, Gouws
Cons: Whitehead 3, Boshof 2
Pens: Boshoff
Yellow cards: Phumzile Maqondwana (Pumas, 25 – deliberate foul play, repeated infringement ), Willie Engelbreacgh (Pumas, 46 – No arms tackle)
Teams:
Pumas: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Tapiwa Mafura, 13 Sebastian de Klerk, 12 Eddie Fouche, 11 Jade Stighling, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Chriswill September, 8 Willie Engelbrecht (captain), 7 Phumzile Maqondwana, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Shane Kirkwood, 4 Deon Slabbert, 3 Ignatius Prinsloo, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Corne Fourie.
Replacements: 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Dewald Maritz, 18 Simon Raw, 19 Kwanda Dimaza, 20 Andre Fouche, 21 Giovan Snyman, 22 Ali Mgijima, 23 Diego Appollis.
Griquas: 15 Ashlon Davids, 14 Munier Hartzenberg, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Luther Obi, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Stefan Ungerere, 8 Sibabalo Qoma, 7 Hanru Sirgel, 6 Niel Otto (captain), 5 Derik Pretorius, 4 Johan Retief, 3 Janu Botha, 2 Simon Westraadt,, 1 Kudzwai Dube.
Replacements: 16 Janco Uys, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Andries Schutte, 19 Cameron Lindsay, 20 Werner Gouws, 21 Johan Mulder, 22 Fiela Boshoff, 23 Christopher Hollis, 24 Gustav du Rand, 25 Luyolo Dapula, 26 Reagan Oranje.
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant Referees: Sean Muller, Dylen November
TMO: Ben Crouse
Photo credit: Johan Ortan
