Photo Credit: Johan Orton Photography
The Phakisa Pumas claimed their first "top four" scalp with a brilliant 44-14 performance against the Vodacom Bulls in Mbombela. The Pumas scored their first win against the Bulls since 2011 and their third win for the current season.
The Pumas may have ended sixth in the Carling Currie Cup but has shown with this win that their depth may be not good enough to win the Carling Currie Cup, however, they are miles better than the "top" franchises' second-stringers.
07:07 The Pumas took advantage of a turnover ball in their half with Luther Obi the man to score the try. (05-00)
The first ten minutes were played at a high pace with the ball given air by both teams. The Bulls the more dangerous on the attack, however, mistakes by the Bulls allowed the Pumas to launch their dangerous counter-attacks.
12:47 Etienne Taljaard scored the Pumas second try after some great handling by the backline of the Pumas. (10-00)
15:05 A brilliant individual long-distance try by Devon Williams saw him score the Pumas' third try.
19:48 Willie Engelbrecht scored the Pumas' bonus point try after the forwards brushed away the defending Bulls players. (24-00)
The Pumas dominated all facets of play after the first 20 minutes of the game. The Bulls' problems started at the failed exercise to play Jan-Hendrik Wessels at tight-head. The penalties come scrum-time resulting from this
25:50 Yet another long-distance try by the Pumas ended with Daniel Martins going over. (31-00)
29:32 Joe van Zyl scored the Bulls first try after a lineout-maul (31-07)
35:03 Ginter Smuts converted a penalty. (34-07)
The Pumas were impressive in the first half as they dominated the Bulls in all facets of the game.
45:10 Ginter Smuts added his second penalty for the Pumas. (37-07)
50:35 David Kellerman scored the Bulls second try after the Bulls set up camp for a good 5 minutes on the Pumas try-line. (37-14)
With 20 minutes to go the Bulls reverted to the kicking for territory gameplan. The replacement scrumhalf Keagan Johannes brilliant in the kicking game from the base of the scrum for the Bulls. However, the Bulls struggles come scrum-time still a major headache.
62:04 Devon Williams scored his second try for the Pumas. The pace at which the Pumas played the game at that stage too much for the Bulls defence. (44-14)
A brilliant effort by the men from Mbombela.
Scorers:
Phakisa Pumas: Tries: Luther Obi, Etienne Taljaard, Devon Williams (2), Willie Engelbrecht, Daniel Maartens. Conversions: Ginter Smuts(4). Penalties: Ginter Smuts (2).
Vodacom Bulls: Tries: Joe van Zyl, David Kellerman. Conversions: Morne Steyn, Clinton Swart.
Teams:
Phakisa Pumas: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Luther Obi, 13 Alwayno Visagie, 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 Pieter Jansen van Vuren (captain), 3 Ignatius Prinsloo, 2 Simon Westraadt, 1 Morgan Naude. Replacements: 16 AJ le Roux, 17 Eduan Swart, 18 Heath Backhouse, 19 Francois Kleinhans, 20 Giovan Snyman, 21 Tiaan Botes, 22 Sebastian de Klerk, 23 Liam Hendricks.
Vodacom Bulls: 15. Clinton Swart, 14. Jade Stighling, 13. Marnus Potgieter, 12. Dawid Kellerman, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Ivan van Zyl, 8. Tim Agaba, 7. Arno Botha (C), 6. WJ Steenkamp, 5. Janko Swanepoel, 4. Jan Uys, 3. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 2. Joe van Zyl, 1. Gerhard Steenekamp. Replacements: 16. Johan Grobbelaar, 17. Lizo Gqoboka, 18. Marcel van der Merwe, 19. Divan Venter, 20. Elrigh Louw, 21. Keagan Johannes, 22. Kabelo Mokoena, 23. Jay-Cee Nel.