Player ratings: Pumas

OPINION: They came, they saw, but they could not conquer.

The Pumas gave the Cheetahs a run for their money, but ultimately the home team secured a 25-17 win t take the Currie Cup trophy away from the visitors.

The Cheetahs outscored the Pumas by three tries to one, a true reflection of their territorial advantage.

Jan de Koning rates the Pumas players!

15 Devon Williams
His left boot was invaluable, but on attack, his chances were very limited. His first real run was with just about five minutes remaining.
6/10

14 Andrew Kota
He did not have too many chances on attack, but produced moments of great defence and a couple of line-breaks that were not converted.
6/10

13 Diego Appollis
Skilful, as always, and some great finesse. Produced a sublime grubber to turn Cheetahs’ defence around.
6/10

12 Ali Mgijima
The Pumas’ main source of attacking the advantage line and also scored the Pumas’ only try.
7/10

11 Etienne Taljaard
He worked really hard and was brutal on defence, but struggled to impose himself in a losing cause.
6/10

10 Tinus de Beer
He was not up to his usual high standards. Conceded There was a penalty for first points, a restart that went directly into touch and a couple of turnovers conceded. There was a knee injury that seemed to really trouble him.
4/10

9 Chriswill September
His basics were solid and he did his job. But the game required some magic from somewhere and it did not come from him.
5/10

8 Kwanda Dimaza
One of the most underrated forwards ad certainly one of the Pumas’ most valuable assets – especially on defence.
7/10

7 Francois Kleinhans
A real workhorse. Nothing flash, doing all the dirty work. Made the most tackles in the Pumas team – 12.
7/10

6 Andre Fouche
Another loose forward that earned his paycheck the hard way. Also high on the tackle count.
6/10

5 Shane Kirkwood (captain)
Very quiet by his 2023 standards. The pace of the game seemed to have left him behind.
4/10

4 Deon Slabbert
Outshone his captain and his tackle count was also into double digits. Was also the Pumas’ most productive line-out source.
7/10

3 Simon Raw
Seemed to be under pressure in the scrums and had a forgettable first half. Did not come out for the second half.
5/10

2 Pieter Jacobs
Won a vital first-half turnover at the breakdown and another in the second half. A couple of his line-out throws were not straight.
6/10

1 Corne Fourie
Another player who had a quiet day at the office – just three tackles and three carries. Did not return after half-time.
5/10

Replacements:

16 Darnell Osuagwu (on for Jacobs, 66th min)
For a man who still played Varsity Cup earlier this year, he did not look out of place on the Currie Cup stage.
6/10

17 Etienne Janeke (on for Fourie, 40th min)
Made his presence felt on defence in a workmanlike second-half performance.
6/10

18 Dewald Maritz (on for Raw, 40th min)
He brought the energy and also stability in the front row that lacked in the first half.
6/10

19 Malembe Mpofu (on for Kirkwood, 62nd min)
Made the most of his cameo and looks like a future prospect.
6/10

20 Ruwald van der Merwe (on for Kleinhans, 66th min)
Not the impact you want from someone coming on in the final quarter.
5/10

21 Giovan Snyman (on for September, 58th min)
Had no impact on the game and was virtually anonymous.
5/10

22 Gene Willemse (on for De Beer, 77th min)
Not enough time to be rated.

23 Wian van Niekerk (on for Mgijima, 58th min)
Reduced to mainly a defensive role and did what was required of him.
6/10

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• Picture credit: Johan Orton