Griquas beat Pumas again

The Tafel Lager Griquas maintained their unbeaten Currie Cup status this weekend when they edged the Phakisa Pumas in a thrilling match in Kimberley on Friday.

Griquas opened the scoring in a burst of brilliance by full back Anthony Volmink. He slipped past Marné Coetzee and Le Roux Roets to score the first try, followed by a successful conversion by George Whitehead.

Jeandré Rudolph paid the price for being off side adding three points to the opposing side after another penalty by Whitehead.

The Pumas struck back and used their players out wide to their advantage, resulting in a well-worked try by Morné Joubert, who corkscrewed his way past the Griquas defenders for the Pumas’ first try in the 24th minute of the game. Jacobus Marais failed to add the two points to the scoreboard.

The score was 10-5 at half time.

Out of nowhere, perfect timing and accurate passing led to a try by Griquas left wing Eduan Keyter. Whitehead easily slotted his third kick of the day.

Andrew Beerwinkel powered his way over for the Pumas’ second try shortly after, and a successful conversion by Marais, brought the Pumas well within reach at 17-12.

Griquas demonstrated patience and Ewald van der Westhuizen bullied his way over the try line. Whitehead missed his first kick of the match and the Griquas led 22-12.

Volmink saved the day with a telling tackle, resulting in Marko Janse van Rensburg losing control over the ball. Even though the try could not be awarded, the referee went back for the penalty advantage and Marais slotted another kick.

The Griquas answered with their bonus point try and Whitehead added the two.

Ryan Nell rounded off a brilliant run by Etienne Taljaard, with his fifth Currie Cup try. With the scores now tied, both teams showed a lot of tenacity.

A fraudulent entry by De-Jay Terblanche, however, led to another successful kick, this time by Thinus de Beer.

The Pumas fought back but Volmink used his blistering pace to rub salt in the wounds with a final try, sealing the deal 37-29.

This Friday the Pumas will play their first home game of the season, when they face the Vodacom Blue Bulls at Mbombela Stadium at 19:15. Tickets are available at the ticket office or Computicket, at R50 per adult and R10 per child.