The Airlink Pumas visited the NovaVit Griffons on Sunday and completely dominated their hosts to win 64-06 scoring 10 tries to nil and regained their place at the top of the 2023 Currie Cup Premier Competition's log.
The Airlink Pumas opened the scoring with a well-worked try by Deon Slabbert as they started the match like a house on fire to lead 07-00 after only two minutes of play.
The NovoVit Griffons were rewarded for their hard work following Slabbert's try was a converted penalty by Robbie Petzer after 12 minutes of play in the first half. The Airlink Pumas replied from the kickoff to give Giovan Snyman an opening out wide to squeeze over in the corner.
Twenty minutes later Malembe Mpofu bulldozed his way over their host's tryline to stretch the Airlink Pumas' lead to 19-03 with 8 minutes left to play in the first half.
A second penalty conversion by Robbie Petzer 3 minutes before the halftime break reduced the Airlink Pumas to 19-06, which was also the score going into the second half.
The Airlink Pumas continued their first-half dominance as Thinus de Beer released Diego Appollis to score in the corner after 5 minutes of play in the second half. This try was also the bonus point try for the Airlink Pumas.
The Airlink Pumas continue to patiently build several try-scoring opportunities and with 20 minutes to go in the second half, PJ Jacobs scored a try from the back of a 5m lineout-maul to lead 31-06.
Five tries by Ruwald van der Merwe, PJ Jacobs (2), Chriswill September and Brandon Thompson were scored by the Airlink Pumas during the last 20 minutes to cruise to a 64-06 win.
Scorers:
NovaVit Griffons: Penalties: Robbie Petzer (2)
Airlink Pumas: Tries: Deon Slabbert, Giovan Snyman, Malembe Mpofu, Diego Appollis, PJ Jacobs (3), Ruwald van der Merwe, Chriswill September, Brandon Thompson. Conversions: Tinus de Beer (5), Brandon Thomson (2)
Teams
NovaVit Griffons: 15 Domenic Smit, 14 Granwill Matthys, 13 Keanu Vers, 12 Marquit September, 11 Duren Hoffman, 10 Robbie Petzer, 9 Richman Gora, 8 Ludio Williams, 7 Thomas Ongera, 6 Jean Pretorius, 5 Curtly Thomas, 4 Jaco Willemse, 3 Neo Mohapi, 2 Hendrik van Schoor, 1 Stephan de Jager. Replacements: 16 Dandre Delport, 17 Xolani Jacobs, 18 Doctor Booysen, 19 Michael Benadie, 20 Sokuphumla Xakalashe, 21 Jaywinn Juries, 22 Duan Pretorius, 23 Carl-Jan Coetzee.
Airlink Pumas: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Stefan Coetzee, 13 Diego Appollis, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Jade Stighling, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Giovan Snyman, 8 Kwanda Dimaza, 7 Deon Slabbert, 6 Francois Kleinhans, 5 Shane Kirkwood (captain), 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 Njabulo Gumede, 2 Corne Fourie, 1 Cameron Dawson. Replacements: 16 PJ Jacobs, 17 Etienne Janeke, 18 Simon Raw, 19 Andre Fouche, 20 Ruwald van der Merwe, 21 Chriswill September, 22 Brandon Thomson, 23 Lundi Msenge.
