Hosts, Tafel Lager Griquas and New Nation Pumas knew that a win will secure their place in next weekends' Carling Currie Cup semi-finals. However, a draw gave Griquas a place in the semi-final with the Pumas, with one point behind the Griquas will eagerly watch the last match between the Sharks and Western Province to see if they will also advance to the semi-finals.
The Pumas dominated the last 15 minutes of the first quarter, setting up camp in the red zone of Griquas. The Pumas' dominance continued for most of the match, however with 8 minutes to go Griquas managed to score their first try to level the scores at 13-13.
04:19 George Whitehead put the Griquas in the lead with a converted penalty (03-00).
12:14 Adre Smith (Griquas) was shown a yellow card after Griquas were penalised several times on their tryline.
20:00 The Pumas dominated the last 15 minutes of the first quarter, setting up camp in the red zone of Griquas. Although being awarded several penalties, which the Pumas did not attempt to convert, they ended the first quarter 3 points behind the home team.
27:33 Tapiwa Mafura scored a brilliant try in the corner to give the Pumas the lead (03-05).
40:00 The Pumas dominated the first half, however. Griquas had their opportunities too. The game still balanced on a knife's edge with the defence of both sides brilliant. The Griquas will have the wind in their backs during the second half.
44:16 Eddie Fouche converted a penalty for Pumas (03-08).
50:51 George Whitehead converted his second penalty of the match (06-08).
52:28 Sebastián de Klerk scored the Pumas second try after some great work down the sideline (06-13).
60:00 The momentum is with the Pumas at this stage. They adapted their style of play to that of a team playing against a moderate wind.
71:43 Chris Hollis scored the Griquas first try of the match to level the score with only 7 minutes to go (13-13).
Scorers:
Tafel Lager Griquas: Try: Chris Hollis. Conversion: George Whitehead. Penalties: George Whitehead (2).
New Nation Pumas: Tries: Tapiwa Mafura, Sebastián de Klerk. Penalty: Eddie Fouche.
Tafel Lager Griquas: 15. Ashlon Davids, 14. James Verity-Amm, 13. Chris Hollis, 12. Johnathan Francke, 11. Eduan Keyter, 10. George Whitehead, 9. Stefan Ungerer, 8. Ruan Steenkamp (c), 7. Hanru Sirgel, 6. Gideon van der Merwe, 5. Stefan Willemse, 4. Adre Smith, 3. Erich de Jager, 2. Alandre van Rooyen, 1. Mox Mxoli. Replacements: 16. Janco Uys, 17. Andrew Beerwinkel, 18. Janu Botha, 19. Cameron Lindsay, 20. Johan Momsen, 21. Raegan Oranje, 22. Tinus de Beer, 23. Ederies Arendse, 24. Andrew Kuhn, 25. Mzwanele Zito, 26. Andre Swarts.
New Nation Pumas: 15. Devon Williams, 14. Sebastián de Klerk, 13. Erich Cronje, 12. Ali Mgijima, 11. Ettienne Taljaard, 10. Eddie Fouche, 9. Ginter Smuts, 8. Willie Engelbrecht, 7. Niel Otto, 6. Daniel Maartens, 5. Pieter van Vuuren, 4. Shane Kirkwood, 3. Marne Coetzee, 2. Simon Westraadt, 1. Morgan Naude. Replacements: 16. Eduan Swart, 17. Ruan Kramer, 18. IG Prinsloo, 19. Kwanda Dimaza, 20. Phumzile Maqondwana, 21. Chriswell September, 22. Alwayno Visagie, 23. Tapiwa Mafura.