Photo Credit: Johan Orton Photography
The Phakisa Pumas and Tafel Lager Griquas kicked off the round two action today in Nelspruit with the Griquas only to blame themselves for the loss with 17-22 against the home team.
Phakisa Pumas again had to withdraw two players just before the match. Captain Pieter Jansen van Vuuren (lock) and Ruan Kramer (prop) was replaced with hours to go.
Griquas travelled to Nelspruit still looking for their first win of the season. Although the Pumas dominated the first 20 minutes, Griquas can only blame themselves for this loss.
00:00 The Pumas started the game with their heavier pack used the much heavier pack to attack Griquas with direct and physical play.
11:26 Ginter Smuts converted a penalty to give the Pumas the lead. (3-0)
20:10 The Pumas dominated the first 20 minutes of the game on the back of their pack of forwards. Four scrums in a row on the tryline of the Griquas lead to penalties and ultimately, a penalty try was awarded to the Pumas. (10-0)
25:20 Eduan Keyter scored the Griquas first points of the game after he broke several tackles to burst over the try-line. (10-7)
With ten minutes to go in the first half, the game started to open up as both sides showed their willingness to spread the ball.
32:24 Luther Obie caught a cross-kick wide from Devon Williams to score the Pumas' first try of the game. (15-7)
A game of two quarters with the Griquas playing the better rugby in the second quarter as the game opened up. The Pumas and their dominant forwards controlled most in the first quarter. A bit of rain coming down in the last ten minutes of the half could influence the current running rugby.
44:18 Tinus de Beer slotted a penalty to reduce the Pumas lead to five points. (15-10)
With twenty minutes to go in the game, the Griquas can only blame themselves for not leading the game. One has to question the decision making on the field combined with silly mistakes which explain their inability to convert opportunities into points.
71:52 Daniel Maartens' try ended the hopes of Griquas to score their first win of the season. The Pumas secured the win with this long-distance try after yet another mistake by Griquas on the attack. (22-10)
76:52 Eduan Keyter scored his second try of the evening for the Griquas. (22-17)
80:00 The Pumas did what was asked from them and secured a good win with 22-17 against a Griquas side that was not firing at all.
Scorers:
Phakisa Pumas: Tries: Penalty Try, Luther Obie, Daniel Maartens. Conversion: Ginter Smuts. Penalty: Ginter Smuts.
Tafel Lager Griquas: Tries: Eduan Keyter (2). Conversions: Tinus de Beer (2). Penalty: Tinus de Beer.
Teams:
Phakisa Pumas: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Luther Obi, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Etienne Taljaard, 10 Devon Williams, 9 Ginter Smuts, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 Phumzile Maqondwana, 6. Daniel Maartens, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Le Roux Roets (Capt), 3 Ignatius Prinsloo, 2 Simon Westraadt, 1 Dewald Maritz. Replacements: 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Wikus Groenewald, 18 Brandon Valentyn, 19 Ewart Potgieter, 20 Chriswill September, 21 Tiaan Botes, 22 Wayne van der Bank, 23 Liam Hendricks.
Tafel Lager Griquas: 15 James Verity-Amm, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Berton Klaasen, 12 Johnathan Francke, 11 Eduan Keyter, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Zak Burger (captain), 8 Johan Momsen, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 CJ Velleman, 5 Cameron Lindsay, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Ewald van der Westhuizen, 2 HJ Luus, 1 Mox Mxoli. Replacements (from): 16 Monde Hadebe, 17 Andrew Beerwinkel, 18 John-Roy Jenkinson, 19 Mzwanele Zito, 20 Carl Els, 21 Theo Maree, 22 Andre Swarts, 23 Enver Brandt, 24 Zandre Jordaan, 25 Ewan Coetzee, 26 Ashlon Davids.