Pumas back to winning ways

MATCH REPORT: The Pumas are back to winning ways with a comfortable victory over the Griffons at the Nelspruit rugby club in the Currie Cup on Saturday, taking this encounter by 45-25.

The Pumas scored seven tries on the trot, one by Devon Williams as he celebrated his 100th cap for the men in pink.

The Puma forwards had plenty to smile about with Andre Fouche (2), Anele Lungisa and Kwanda Dimaza sharing in the spoils.

The home-side already had a comfortable cushion going into half-time with a 31-12 lead over the purple people eaters from Welkom.

They dominated proceedings until ten minutes before full-time when the Griffons fought back to score two quick tries in succession.

The Pumas’ lack of discipline saw three of their players spending time in the sin bin, two of which were in the last five minutes.

The scorers:

For the Pumas:

Tries: Fouche 2, Lungisa, Dimaza, Williams, Van Niekerk, Classen

Cons: Thomson 5

For the Griffons:

Tries: Smit, Juries, September, Van Schoor

Cons: Hoffman

Pens: Juries

Yellow cards: Andrew Kota (Pumas, 65’), Lundi Msenge (Pumas, 75’), Anele Lungisa (Pumas, 76’)

Pumas: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Stefan Coetzee, 13 Diego Appollis, 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Andrew Kota, 10 Brandon Thomson, 9 Chriswill September, 8 Kwanda Dimaza, 7 Anele Lungisa, 6 Andre Fouche, 5 Shane Kirkwood (captain), 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 Ignatius Prinsloo, 2 Llewellyn Classen, 1 Corne Fourie.

Replacements: 16 Pieter Jacobs, 17 Etienne Janeke, 18 Njabulo Gumede, 19 Jeandre Leonard, 20 Ruwald van der Merwe, 21 Giovan Snyman, 22 Thinus de Beer, 23 Lundi Msenge.

Griffons: 15 Duren Hoffman, 14 Granwill Matthys, 13 Keanu Vers, 12 Marquit September, 11 Domenic Smit, 10 Jandre de Beer, 9 Richman Gora, 8 Sokuphumla Xakalashe, 7 Thomas Ongera, 6 Ludio Williams, 5 Michael Benadie, 4 Rian Olivier, 3 Neo Mohapi, 2 Hendrik van Schoor, 1 Stephan de Jager.

Replacements: 16 Dandre Delport, 17 Xolani Jacobs, 18 Doctor Booysen, 19 Wikus Nieuwenhuis, 20 Curtly Thomas, 21 Thato Mavundla, 22 Jaywinn Juries, 23 Duan Pretorius, 24 Buhle Nojekwa, 25 Chadley Wenn, 26 Randy Fielies.

Referee: Ruhan Meiring

Assistant referees: Local appointments

TMO: Christopher Allison