Player ratings: Defence wins trophies

OPINION: The Pumas wrote a new chapter in the Currie Cup history, becoming only the eighth team to win South Africa’s most prized domestic trophy.

Their 26-19 win over a willing and never-say-die Griquas in Kimberley on Saturday ensured they won Sir Donald Currie’s donation for the first time in their history.

It is a true Cinderella story and the first time in history that a team finishing fourth in the standings and playing all their knock-out matches away from home won the Grand Prize!

It was a win based on brutal, near impenetrable defence – with only a handful of missed tackles the entire match.

Jan de Koning rates the Pumas payers!

15 Devon Williams
Nervous start, but settled down to produce an accomplished showing. Had a try rubbed out for a forward pass, but was full value for his team.
7/10

14 Tapiwa Mafura
He stood his ground on defence and won a crucial turnover in the second half. Not many chances on attack, but very few errors.
6/10

13 Sebastian de Klerk
Showed his class, despite limited first-half chances. Penalised for a couple of ‘high’ (seatbelt) tackles, but an accomplished performance.
6/10

12 Eddie Fouche
Not flawless, but accurate goal-kicking. Also some great out-of-hand kicking and great tactical appreciation.
7/10

11 Jade Stighling
Good kick-chasing and a couple great carries. Like his fellow wing, not many chances on attack.
7/10

10 Tinus de Beer
Good game management and some sublime passing – setting up the opening try for Devon Williams. Some powerful carries against his former teammates.
8/10

9 Chriswill September
Crisp service and some ferocious defence – including a great covering tackle in the second half. Was a great link between forwards and backs.
8/10

8 Andre Fouche
The bruising loose forward produced some bit hits and strong carries. Was penalised at the tackle on occasion, but has central to the Pumas dominating the collisions.
7/10

7 Willie Engelbrecht (captain)
Not the flashy loose forward display that wins awards, but doing the hard, dirty work in the dark places – including some really big hits. Was rewarded with a crucial try in the second half.
9/10

6 Daniel Maartens
Another of the Pumas’ understated loose forwards. Getting through a ton of work and being brutally physical ion the contact areas.
7/10

5 Shane Kirkwood
Showed his experience and some hard graft in the tight exchanges. His set piece work was also from the top shelve.
7/10

4 Deon Slabbert
One of the young pups of the team, having made his Pumas debut midway through the 2022 season. Based on an accomplished Final, there is a bright playing future ahead.
7/10

3 Ignatius Prinsloo
Penalised at scrum halfway through first half, but for most part stood his ground. He worked hard at the breakdown and had some strong carries.
6/10

2 Eduan Swart
His line-out throws not always accurate as it could have been and was penalised at tackles. However, he was powerful with ball in hand and scored a crucial try late in first half. Then also won a crucial turnover penalty five metres from his line midway through the second half.
8/10

1 Corne Fourie
Was penalised at and early line-out, but settled down and was a monster with ball in hand. Part of a very dominant pack.
7/10

Replacements:

16 Llewellyn Classen
Crucial steal inside last 10 minutes and won a vital penalty in his cameo.
6/10

17 Dewald Maritz
Did what was expected of him – stood solid in the scrums, made is tackles and kept the physical dominance.
6/10

18 Simon Raw
Another accomplished performance by a replacement forward. Nothing flash, just solid!
6/10

19 Kwanda Dimaza
Had a sublime cameo and ensured his pack continued their dominance in the collisions.
7/10

20 Francois Kleinhans
Another replacement that had an outstanding cameo that sealed the win.
7/10

21 Giovan Snyman
Perhaps not as flashy as September, but can’t fault his performance. Was caught behind a ruck once.
6/10

22 Ali Mgijima
Had a 10-minute cameo in which he ensured the defensive wall remained intact.
6/10

23 Alwayno Visagie
Came on with two minutes remaining and made one powerful carry. Not enough time to be rated.

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