The second half of the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division started when the Sigma Lions clashed with the New Nation Pumas in Johannesburg in the first match of Round 8. It was a match of 2 halves with the Lions who dominated the Pumas in the first half and lead 21-10 at halftime. The Pumas however started the second half with a bang and scored 4 consecutive tries to take the lead on the scoreboard to beat the Lions 36-33.
The Lions dominated the Pumas in the scrums and forward play in the first half, which resulted in 2 yellow cards and plenty of penalties awarded against the Pumas. This gave the Lions ample attacking opportunities and they reaped the rewards for their efforts. The Pumas, however, took control of the match in the second half and managed to defend their lead despite a fightback attempt by the Lions.
04:10 Penalty awarded to the Pumas in the Lions half in line with the posts which was successfully kicked by Eddie Fouche (3-0)
09:10 Pumas 8th man Willie Engelbrecht is awarded a yellow card for cynical play.
11:22 The Lions opened their scoring tally with a try by Rabz Maxwane after the ball was played wide from a free-kick tap 5 metres from the Lions try line. Converted by Jordan Hendrikse (3-7).
18:01 Pumas fullback Devon Williams scored a try against the run of play after a long run and good interplay between the backs from within the Pumas' half. Converted by Eddie Fouche (10-7).
20:00 The first 20 minutes saw both teams playing in each other's halves and sharing the possession and territory with the Lions attacking the Pumas try line on a couple of occasions. The Lions forwards dominated the Pumas.
25:10 Penalty try awarded to the Lions after repeated scrum penalties against the Pumas (10-14).
30:10 Pumas lock Pieter Janse van Vuuren was awarded a yellow card for cynical play in a ruck in the Pumas' quarter.
31:23 Lions hooker PJ Botha crashed over the Pumas' try line from a driving maul. Converted by Jordan Hendrikse (10-21).
40:00 There was a momentum shift during the 20 minutes leading up to halftime in favour of the Lions, who continued to dominate the Pumas in the scrums and forward play. This resulted in many penalties against the Pumas and scoring opportunities for the Lions.
43:30 Shane Kirkwood crashed over the try for the Pumas' second try after a driving maul from a penalty lineout in the Lions' quarter. Converted by Eddie Fouche (17-21).
49:05 Etienne Taljaard scored another try for the Pumas after a good backline play in the Lions' half. Converted by Eddie Fouche (24-21).
50:01 Yellow card awarded to Lions lock FP Pelser for cynical play.
53:51 Erich Cronje scored the Pumas' third consecutive try from a driving maul 5 metres from the Lions' try line. Conversion missed by Eddie Fouche (29-21).
57:01 Etienne Taljaard scored another try for the Pumas after a great break and run along the sideline. Converted by Eddie Fouche (36-21).
60:00 The Pumas started the second half with a bang scoring 4 consecutive tries and taking the lead on the scoreboard.
65:01 Courtnall Skosan scored the first try for the Lions in the second half after racing over the try line from broken play in front of the Pumas' posts. Converted by Jordan Hendrikse (36-28).
69:01 Sti Sithole crashes over the try line from a driving maul for another Lions try. Conversion missed by Jordan Hendrikse (36-33).
Scorers:
Xerox Lions: Tries: Rabz Maxwane, penalty try, PJ Botha, Courtnall Skosan, Sti Sithole. Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (3).
New Nation Pumas: Tries: Devon Williams, Shane Kirkwood, Etienne Taljaard, Erich Cronje, Etienne Taljaard. Conversions: Eddie Fouche (4). Penalties: Eddie Fouche
Teams:
Sigma Lions: 15. Wandisile Simelane, 14. Rabz Maxwane, 13. Manuel Rass, 12. Dan Kriel, 11. Courtnall Skosan, 10. Jordan Hendrikse, 9. Andre Warner, 8. Francke Horn (capt.), 7. Vincent Tshituka, 6. Sibusiso Sangweni, 5. FP Pelser, 4. Ruben Schoeman, 3. Carlu Sadie, 2. PJ Botha, 1. Ruan Dreyer. Replacements: 16. Jaco Visagie, 17. Sti Sithole, 18. Jannie du Plessis, 19. Reinhard Nothnagel,20. Ruhan Straeuli, 21. Morne van den Berg, 22. Fred Zeilinga, 23. Stean Pienaar.
New Nation Pumas: 15. Devon Williams, 14. Sebastián de Klerk, 13. Erich Cronje, 12. Matt More, 11. Etienne Taljaard, 10. Eddie Fouche, 9. Ginter Smuts, 8. Willie Engelbrecht, 7. Kwezi Mafu, 6. Daniel Maartens, 5. Pieter Janse van Vuuren (C), 4. Shane Kirkwood, 3. IG Prinsloo, 2. Simon Westraadt, 1. Dewald Maritz. Replacements: 16. Eduan Swart, 17. Ruan Kramer, 18. Etienne Janeke, 19. Kwanda Dimaza, 20. Phumzile Maqondwana, 21. Chriswill September, 22. Ali Mgijima, 23. Jade Stighling.
Article by Francois du Toit