Skosan hat-trick helps WP see off Pumas

MATCH REPORT: The Pumas will head into their final Currie Cup league match against the Cheetahs needing a win to advance to the Currie Cup semifinals.

The team from Nelspruit left the Danie Craven Stadium empty-handed on Sunday after they suffered a 30-39 defeat to Western Province in their Round Nine clash.

Jimmy Stonehouse’s side will stay in fifth on 24 points with the Cheetahs in fourth with 25 points heading into that clash in Nelspruit.

Western Province dominated possession and territory in the opening quarter and after sustained pressure inside the Pumas’ half, Courtnall Skosan opened the scoring with a try in the 16th minute.

The Pumas were reduced to 14 men in the 28th minute after scrumhalf Godlen Masimla received a yellow card for a late tackle.

Moments later Skosan was put into space on the blindside after a maul to score his second try.

Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok missed both of his conversions.

However, the Pumas hit back in the 33rd minute when Etienne Janeke crashed over the Province tryline from close range.

Clinton Swart converted the score for a three-point game.

Province then showed what they are capable of on attack when Libbok sent the ball to Damian Markus via a cross-kick and the centre showed great awareness to feed the ball on his inside to Wandisile Simelane to score his team’s third try.

However, the visitors finished the first half excellently. Swart landed a penalty before Deon Slabbert scored a memorable try after some great interplay between backs and forwards.

At half-time, it was 17-15 to the Pumas.

The home side started the second half just like they did in the first 40 as they opened the scoring with Markus bursting through the midfield to score the bonus-point try.

After three failed conversion attempts, Libbok finally added the extra two points.

The game continued to be a see-saw, with the Pumas responding with a Ross Braude try before Swart converted to give his side the lead.

When it looked like the Pumas could get away from WP, Skosan completed his hat-trick in the 66th minute with Libbok adding the extras with the conversion.

Jurie Matthee and Swart exchanged penalties deep into the game before the hosts sealed the win with a Joseph Dweba try after a powerful maul

The scorers:

For Western Province:
Tries: Skosan 3, Simelane, Markus, Dweba
Cons: Libbok 2, Matthee
Pen: Matthee

For Pumas:
Tries: Janeke, Slabbert, Braude
Cons: Swart 3
Pens: Swart 3

Yellow card: Godlen Masimla (Pumas, 28′ – foul play, late tackle)

Teams:

Western Province 15 Luke Burger, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Damian Markus, 11 Gino Cupido, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Divan Fuller, 7 Hendre Stassen, 6 Willie Engelbrecht (captain), 5 Gary Porter, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Corne Weilbach, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Brian le Roux, 19 Ruben van Heerden, 20 Dave Ewers, 21 Sibusiso Sangweni, 22 Dewaldt Duvenage, 23 Jurie Matthee.

Pumas: 15 Tino Swanepoel, 14 Stefan Coetzee, 13 David Brits, 12 Clinton Swart, 11 Darren Adonis, 10 Danrich Visagie, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Kwanda Dimaza, 7 Ruwald van der Merwe, 6 Ntsika Fisanti, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 Sampie Swiegers, 2 LLewellyn Classen, 1 Etienne Janeke.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Dewald Maritz, 18 Buhle Nojekwa, 19 Jeandre Leonard, 20 Marvellous Mashimbyi, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Wian van Niekerk, 23 Phiko Sobahle.

Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys
TMO: Archie Sehlako