Pumas hold off Griquas in Nelspruit
CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Pumas moved up to second on the Premier Division log after a 26-22 over Griquas in Nelspruit on Friday.
The home side outscored their opponents by three tries to one in the match. However, 17 points from the boot of George Whitehead kept the visitors in the game.
The men from the Northern Cape have left Mbombela Stadium with a losing bonus point.
Simon Westraadt (hooker) scored twice for the home team, both from strong driving mauls, while their new big inside centre, Matt Moore, got the Pumas' first try.
Whitehead (flyhalf) kept the scoreboard ticking over for the visitors, while their only try was scored by Jay Cee Nel (centre) on the stroke of half-time, which ensured Griquas went into the break with a 16-15 lead.
Credit to both teams, as they never gave up, with the result in the balance right until the end as the Pumas were forced to defend as Griquas tried to get that match-winning try.
The scorers:
For Pumas:
Tries: More, Westraadt 2
Con: Fouche
Pens: Fouche 3
For Griquas:
Try: Nel
Con: Whitehead
Pens: Whitehead 5
Teams:
Pumas: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Tapiwa Mafura, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Matt More, 11 Etienne Taljaard, 10 Eddie Fouché, 9 Ginter Smuts, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 Phumzile Maqondwana, 6 Francois Kleinhans, 5 Pieter Jansen van Vuren (captain), 4 Darrien Landsberg, 3 Ignatius Prinsloo, 2 Simon Westraadt, 1 Dewald Maritz.
Replacements: 16 Hendrik van Schoor, 17 Eduan Swart, 18 Ruan Kramer, 19 Brandon Valentyn, 20 Kwanda Dimaza, 21 Chriswill September, 22 Wayne van der Bank, 23 Jade Stighling.
Griquas: 15 Masixole Banda, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Jay-Cee Nel, 12 Andre Swarts, 11 Eduan Keyter, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Hanru Sirgel, 7 Sibabalo Qoma, 6 Ruan Steenkamp (captain), 5 Cameron Lindsay, 4 Jeandré Leonard, 3 Andries Schutte, 2 Hendrick Luus, 1 Andrew Beerwinkel.
Replacements: 16 Janco Uys, 17 Nqobisizwe Mxoli, 18 Tijde Visser, 19 Mzwanele Zito, 20 Gideon van der Merwe, 21 Raegan Oranje, 22 Theo Boshoff, 23 Ederies Arendse.
Referee: Griffin Colby
Assistant referees: Local
TMO: Ben Crouse
Source: SA Rugby
Photo: SA Rugby