Pukke v UJ in Grand Challenge Final

Varsity Cup teams, FNB Pukke and FNB UJ, advanced to the final of the 2009 Pirates Grand Challenge with semifinal wins over Impala and Pirates, respectively, on Tuesday evening.

Pukke, the 2009 Varsity Cup finalists, claimed a comfortable 35-18 win over their opponents, whilst UJ left it late - despite a scoreline of 34-20 suggesting otherwise.

The Men from Potchefstroom scored six tries to two in a dominant display, with two quick tries after half-time - they led 13-10 at the break - seeing the reigning National Club champions into yet another final.

Of course, Pukke will shortly defend their National Club Championship title (at Tukkies) in less than two weeks' time, but Saturday's final meeting with UJ will certainly be the perfect preparation for the arduous annual club tournament.

UJ, meanwhile, ran into an early 15-0 lead over Pirates, but found themselves trailling at half-time.

However, a late try by UJ fullback Arno Coetzee, coupled with the boot of flyhalf Ryno Luus, saw the students book their Grand Challenge Final showdown with Pukke.

Saturday afternoon's final will take place at Alberton.

The scorers (semifinals):

For Pukke (35-18 v Impala):
Tries: Johannes Seerane, Jaco Lotter, Stoffel Duvenhage, Snoepie Coetzee, Marcel du Toit, Andries Mahoney
Con: Theuns Kotze
Pen: Theuns Kotze

For UJ (34-20 v Pirates):
Tries: Edrick van Tonder, Clinton de Klerk, Itumeleng Mogotsi, Arno Coetzee
Con: Ryno Luus
Pens: Ryno Luus 4

The semifinal teams:

Pukke: 15 Theuns Kotzé, 14 Johannes Seerane, 13 Kempie Rautenbach, 12 John Roodt, 11 Wouter Watermeyer, 10 Marcel du Toit, 9 Janis Terblanche, 8 Willem van der Wal (captain), 7 Savvas Nel, 6 Jaco Lötter, 5 Bones Robbertze, 4 Dirco Rautenbach, 3 Stefan Bezuidenhout, 2 Stoffel Duvenhage, 1 Snoepie Coetzee.
Replacements: 16 Alfred Wouts, 17 BW van Dyk, 18 Thabu Molete, 19 Nelis Nel, 20 Andries Mahoney, 21 Joubert Engelbrecht, 22 Trokkie de Kock.

UJ: 15 Arno Coetzee, 14 Itumeleng Mogotsi, 13 Justin St. Jerry, 12 Clinton de Klerk (captain), 11 Edrick van Tonder, 10 Ryno Luus, 9 Wella Samuels, 8 Hennie Killian, 7 Andries Nel, 6 JP van Rensburg, 5 Rob Andrew, 4 Martin Lombard, 3 Clint van Niekerk, 2 Edgar Maruthule, 1 Wayne Swart.
Replacements: 16 Thys de Villiers, 17 JP Olivier, 18 Henry Coleman, 19 Torrie Meyer, 20 Freddie van Zyl, 21 André Smith, 22 JJ Pienaar.