Williams double helps Pumas stun Sharks in Durban

MATCH REPORT:  The Pumas kept their play-off hopes alive with a hard-fought 20-10 win over the Sharks in Durban on Friday.

*To recap all the action CLICK HERE!!!!

Devon Williams scored a brace of tries for the Pumas, while Eddie Fouché added two conversions and two penalties to the team’s tally.

For the Sharks, Fezokuhle Mbatha scored his team’s only try, with Boeta Chamberlain adding the conversion and a drop goal.

It was the Mpumalanga-based team that made the most of their first-half opportunities to lead 17-3 courtesy of two converted tries and a penalty, while the home team replied with a sole drop goal.

The coastal side played better in the second half, scoring a converted try while the visiting team added a penalty to register a massive morale-boosting win.

They remain fifth on the league table but moved to within one point of the fourth-placed Griquas, who have 20 points.

The Sharks made a lot of lineout mistakes, especially in the first stanza, which robbed them of a decent attacking platform and at the same time handed the momentum to the pink and grey jerseys.

The Lowvelders had most possession and territory in the opening spell, however, they spilt many promising opportunities by either committing handling errors or taking the wrong options.

Jimmy Stonehouse’s team scored ten points in as many minutes inside the first half through an Eddie Fouche (inside centre) penalty goal while fullback Devon Williams grabbed the first of his two tries – scored out wide after the visitors had managed to steal a home lineout.

Perhaps frustrated at his team’s inability to breach the opposing defence, flyhalf Boeta Chamberlain steered a drop goal high through the upright to put the home outfit on the scoreboard with just over ten minutes remaining before the halftime whistle.

However, the Pumas were rewarded for their more attacking intent when Williams was again on hand to take the final pass and dot down for his second converted try as they increased their halftime lead to 17-3.

The black and white jerseys played much better in the second half with replacement hooker Mbatha, on for Kerron van Vuuren, diving over following a strong driving maul to narrow the gap to 10-17.

Fouche then landed his second penalty goal of the evening to restore their ten-point lead with the game poised at 20-10 in favour of the Lowvelders.

Then followed a period of sustained pressure from the visitors, however, the home side’s defence stood solid as they thwart at least three dangerous try-scoring attempts from the desperate home side.

Man of the match: Pumas captain Willie Engelbrecht and Devon Williams deserve a mention. However our nod goes to Pumas scrumhalf Chriswill September. He was lethal on attack with his quick distributions and his vision from the base was vital to his team.

The scorers:

For Sharks:
Try: Mbatha
Con: Chamberlain
Drop Goal: Chamberlain

For Pumas:
Tries: Williams 2
Cons: Fouché 2
Pens: Fouché 2

Teams:

Sharks: 15 Nevaldo Fleurs, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Ethan Fisher, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Jeandré Labuschagne, 6 James Venter (captain), 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Dian Bleuler.
Replacements: 16 Fezokuhle Mbatha, 17 Khwezi Mona, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Dylan Richardson, 21 Thembelani Bholi, 22 Mthokozisi Mkhabela, 32 Joaquin Bonilla.

Pumas: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Alwayno Visagie, 12 Eddie Fouche, 11 Tapiwa Mafura, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Chriswill September, 8 Willie Engelbrecht (captain), 7 Anele Lungisa, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Shane Kirkwood, 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 Ignatius Prinsloo, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Corne Fourie.
Replacements: 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Dewald Maritz, 18 Simon Raw/Etienne Janeke, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Phumzile Maqondwana, 21 Giovan Snyman, 22 Ali Mgijima, 23 Japie Kleinhans.

Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant referees: Sean Muller, Sanele Mdlalose
TMO: Egon Seconds

Source: SA Rugby 
Picture credit: Wayne Seagreen