Champions Pukke reign supreme

Varsity Cup finalists, FNB Pukke, claimed yet another Pirates Grand Challenge title - beating FNB UJ 42-26 in a hard-fought final in Alberton on Saturday.

Both Varsity Cup teams were in top form in an absorbing contest - a game which was deadlocked at 20-20 at half-time, before the Men from Potchefstroom stepped things up in the second half.

Inspirational Pukke captain Willem van der Wal (pictured, middle) was once again a standout for his side; scoring two tries and impressing in general play, whilst UJ flyhalf Ryno Luus tried his level best to his keep his team in the match with some fine goalkicking.

Luus slotted two conversions, three penalties and a drop-goal, but Pukke's six tries - versus just two from UJ - saw the reigning Club Champions emerge victorious in the Grand Challenge for the seventh time in eight years.

Pukke, under the coaching of former Springbok assistant coach Rudy Joubert, will now turn their attention to the SAA National Club Championships at Tukkies.

They will begin the defence of their title against invited Limpopo side, Noordelikes, when the 35th edition of the tournament gets underway at the LC de Villiers sports grounds on Sunday, September 20.

Amazingly, however, Pukke achieved Saturday's win without Varsity Cup stars Jaco Koch (prop), locks Grant le Roux and Markus Fourie, flank Savvas Nel, flyhalf Cecil Dumond, centre Wouter Watermeyer and speedster Lolo Waqa.

The scorers:

For Pukke:
Tries: Jaco Lotter 2, Willem van der Wal 2, Trokkie de Kock, Johannes Seerane
Cons: Theuns Kotzé 3
Pens: Kotzé 2

For UJ:
Tries: Itumeleng Mogotsi, JP Janse van Rensburg
Cons: Ryno Luus 2
Pens: Luus 3
DG: Luus