Tafel Lager Griquas set up SuperSport Rugby Challenge final clash with high-flying Pumas
THE TAFEL Lager Griquas advanced to the SuperSport Rugby Challenge final when they beat Free State XV 27-14 (half-time 24-0) in their semifinal fixture at Tafel Lager Park, in Kimberley, on Saturday.
Griquas were good value for their win and will now face the Pumas in the final at the Bridgton Sports Grounds, in Outdshoorn, on Sunday, July 15.
There had not been much to choose between the two central franchise teams as they had beaten each other in the round robin stages.
The Northern Cape side would have fancied their chances having managed a flowing win over the Boland Cavaliers in their quarterfinal.
But the Free Staters also came into the match in confident mood after claiming a massive scalp in beating Western Province in Cape Town in their quarters encounter.
But it was the home team who would strike first when George Whitehead (pictured) landed a fifth-minute penalty.
Lock Pieter van Vuuren then forced his way over for the opening try of the match in the 22nd minute and Whitehead kicked the conversion as Griquas took a 10-0 lead much to the delight of their home fans.
There was more celebration on the half hour as hooker Khwezi Mkhafu scored his team’s second try and Whitehead again added the conversion.
It was all Griquas as left wing Kyle Steyn rounded off a superb half for the home team by scoring the third try on the stroke of halftime. Whitehead added the extras for a 24-0 scoreline.
Free
State eventually got on the scoreboard after 50 minutes when No 8 Jasper Wiese crashed over for a try which was converted by flyhalf Ernst Stapelberg before Whitehead slotted another penalty for Griquas.
Free State were starting to find some momentum and centre Carel-Jan Coetzee narrowed the deficit to 13 points with 19 minutes to play as he scored for Stapelberg to convert. But Griquas had done enough in the first half and held out in the second to complete a superb win.
Griquas will now meet the Pumas next Sunday to determine who will be crowned as the new kings of the SuperSport Rugby Challenge for 2018.
The Nelspruit team, the only unbeaten side left in this exciting tournament that wowed spectators across the country, on Friday secured their trip to the Southern Cape with a 30-17 win over the Sharks XV.
The Lowveld clash was tight, but it was the Pumas who kept their cool and made the most of their opportunities in the second half to clinch victory. The scores were tied at the break, following a converted try and a penalty goal from both teams.
The visitors scored their second try soon after the restart at the Mbombela Stadium and held a 17-13 lead, before two tries by the home team proved the difference.
First, leading points’ scorer in the comPumas petition, flyhalf, Chris Smith, narrowed the gap with his third penalty goal. The home side then took the lead again with 12 minutes remaining as replacement prop De-Jay Terblanche bundled his way over.
Smith added the extra points from the tee before the Pumas wrapped matters up with a final try by scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer, which was also converted by Smith, who finished with 15 points on the day.
A strong first half by Griquas secured them a consecutive finals berth in the tournament. Their 24-0 lead at the break proved to be crucial as their neighbours to the east rallied strongly in the second half, again spurred on by the efforts of Jasper Wiese and Carel-Jan Coetzee. Pieter van Vuuren, Khwezi Mkhafu, Kyle Steyn; George Whitehead (3); George Whitehead (2)
Jasper Wiese, Carel-Jan Coetzee; Ernst Stapelberg (2)