The Airlink Pumas secured a much-needed 25-24 win against DHL Western Province with a penalty conversion by Brandon Thompson securing the win with 3 minutes to go.
36 points were scored in the first half full of action, while the spectators had to wait 36 minutes in the second half for the first points to be scored.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu followed up a Jean-Luc du Plessis kick behind the Airlink Pumas' defensive line and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu controlled the bouncing ball and scored the DH Western Province's first try of the match.
A 5m lineout-maul by the pumas was halted four minutes later after which Corne Fourie score the Airlink Pumas first try next to the poles to level the score 07-07.
From the kick-off, Devon Williams' kick was charged down by Jarrod Taylor who managed to collect it again and score to return the lead to the visitors.
A scoreless period of 20 minutes followed with both teams attacking with purpose, until the feared maul from the Airlink Pumas with Corne Fourie at the back scoring the Airlink Pumas' second try to level the scores once again at 14-14.
With 6 minutes left on the clock Stefan Coetzee followed up on a kick by Tinus de Beer, controlled it and score an "easy" try. With time running out in the first half, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu converted a penalty for the DHL Western Province who trailed 17-19 going into the second half.
The second half was a stop-start affair as both sides gave away several penalties. After 34 minutes of play in the second half, Luke Burger controlled a cross kick by Cornel Smit to score the visitors' 3rd try to lead 24-22 and six minutes to play.
A late tackle penalised gave Brandon Thompson (Airlink Pumas) the opportunity to secure the 25-24 win for Airlink Pumas.
Scorers:
Airlink Pumas: Tries: Corne Fourie (2), Stefan Coetzee. Conversions: Tinus de Beer (2). Penalties: Tinus de Beer, Brandon Thompson.
DHL Western Province: Tries: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Jarrod Taylor, Luke Burger. Conversions: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (3). Penalty: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Teams:
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.
DHL Western Province: 15 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 14 Duncan Saal, 13 Juan de Jongh (captain), 12 Cornel Smit, 11 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Keke Morabe, 7 Jarrod Taylor, 6 Junior Pokomela, 5 Gary Porter, 4 Connor Evans, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Kwenzo Blose. Replacements: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Corne Weilbach, 19 Dylan de Leeuw, 20 Louw Nel, 21 Labib Kannemeyer, 22 Damian Markus, 23 Luke Burger.