Pumas ease past Namibia

Namibia came into the match oozing with confidence from their victory over Griquas on Day One.

Despite starting the game on a positive note, Namibia conceded the first match points by giving away an easy penalty inside their 22. Riekart Barnard stepped up to slot over the first points, 3-0.

Underestimating the opposition, Pumas opted to run it out from their 22 which resulted in André van Bergs's try. He neatly intercepted the ball, had acres of space in front of him and went over. The conversion looked good and it was good. 7-3 to Namibia after 15 minutes of play.

The score-line surprised not only the supporters but the Pumas themselves.

Pumas had no choice but to hit back with a try. Scrumhalf Jaco Joubert sneaked through the forwards to go over while Bernard slotted them into the double digits, 10-7.

With just over 20 minutes of play, some missed tackles by Namibia inside their five-metre gave Joubert the opportunity to double his try tally. Which he grabbed with both hands, 17-7.  

Ten minutes to go and Barnard's boot extended the lead to 20-7 when his team won a penalty inside Namibia's 22.

In the last minutes of the first half, Namibia had all the ball possessions as they try to claw their way back. Nico Horn made some valuable runs for his side. Eventually their efforts were rewarded as Pumas were penalised. Gerswin Mouton slotted over the three points right on the stroke of half time. 20-10.

Similar to the first half, Namibia's handling errors dominated much of the play but they crept back  into the match as Pumas did not see any of the ball for most of the second half's opening minutes.

The game started to unfold as a hotly contested match with the score stuck on 20-10. The shadows began to cover the field.

As expected Namibia's defence folded. A break by Wandile Shabangu caught the Namibia defence on the back foot. Barnard had his third successful kick to make it 27-10.

Every positive move of Namibia was demolished with a negative, as  Loandro Erasmus got his marching orders for a dangerous tackle.

With a man down, Pumas used it to their advantage and a counterattack from their own 22, made it easy for Percy Mkhwanazi to register his name on the score sheet. 32-10.

On the brink of the hour mark Dewald Maritz scored a try. From a line-out Namibia could not handle the driving maul as Pumas scored their fifth try.

Barely a minute later Marirtz celebrated another try. A nice inside pop pass and more than a 50-metre run sent the big player on his way to score. Riekert Barnard added the extras to the tally. 44-10.

As we headed in to the last five minutes of the match Pumas looked as if they had gained a second wind. And off cause the hardworking JC Pretorius had to score a converted try. 51-10.

On the brink of full time, Namibia scored a consolation try. Chad Plato had the final say in the one-sided affair.

The final score 51-15 to the Pumas.

The scorers:

For Pumas:

Tries: Jaco Joubert 2, Wandile Shabangu, Percy Mkhwanazi, Dewald Maritz 2

Cons: Riekert Barnard 4

Pens: Riekert Barnard 2

For Namibia:

Tries: Andre van der Berg, Chad Plato

Con: Gerswin Mouton

Pen: Gerswin Mouton

Yellow card: Loandro Erasmus in the 55th minute

Teams:

Pumas: Riaaz Adebayo, Riekert Gerhardus Barnard, Julian Claasen, Ryan Cloete, Ruben Cross, Boet Hendrik Arend Heyl, Jacob Frederik Joubert, Karel Pieter Kruger, Sibusiso Madonsela, Brandon Magudulela, Dewald Maritz, Vusumuzi Thembalethu Mkhonza, Percy Mkhwanazi, Thabiso Mkhwebane, Khayalethu Lehlohonolo Mphuthi, Nkosinathi Mthethwa, Salmon Pienaar Muller, Morgan Naude, Ngcebo Prince Nkabinde, Johannes Christoffel Pretorius, Junior Schmidt, Thamsanqa Wandile Shabangu, Stephanus Johannes Van der Bank.

Namibia: Jan Tobias Basson, Elmarco Willmore Beukes, Wynand Breytenbach, Denzo Joelle Bruwer, Peter James Diergaardt, Loandro Erasmus, Dylan Francisco Farmer, Prince Rivaldo Gino Gaoseb, Nico Christo Horn, Andries Jacobus Jacobs, Handré Klazinga, Armand Kotze, Tertius Malan Lambrechts, Gerswin Mouton, Oderick Adolf Mouton, Chrischen Anthony Olivier, Chad Zavier Plato, Rudi Romario Enrique Pretorius, Andre Pretorius Rademeyer, Jano Corné Rieckert, Patrick Schickerling, Andre van der Berg, Darius Van Solms.

Referee: Rugan Meiring

Assistant referees: Vusi Msibi, Pieter Matitz

TMO: Joey Klaaste-Salmans