The Pumas play second fiddle to the Griquas in Kimberley
It was a game the Pumas should have won. They dominated the scrums in the second half
NCC Pumas fly half, Eddie Fouché, missed a penalty on the hooter to give the Tafel Lager Griquas the victory in a Preparation Series match in Kimberley on Saturday.
It was the Griquas’ second win of the series. The Pumas won one game against the Toyota Cheetahs.
The Griquas were 11-0 up at half time. Tinus de Beer booted two penalties in the 26th and 39th minutes. Griquas’ Daniel Kasenda scored the only try of the first half, on 35 minutes.
The Griquas deserved the half-time lead, having matched the Pumas’ physicality. It was a scrappy first 40 minutes.
The Pumas hit back in the second half with inspired rugby.
Ettiene Taljaard scored a try after he chased a Fouché grubber. The try was not converted.
Five minutes later, Simon Westraadt scored from a rolling maul and Fouché kicked the conversion. The referee then awarded a penalty try and the Pumas held a 19-11 lead.
HJ Luus and Sibabalo Qoma were yellow carded and with the Griquas down to 13 men, it seemed the Pumas were on track for a win.
It was not to be.
Two penalties by De Beer took the score to 19-17 in favour of the Pumas. Fouché increased the lead to 22-17 with a penalty kick with 13 minutes to go.
Two more penalty kicks from the boot of De Beer gave the Griquas a 23-22 lead.
The Pumas were awarded a scrum penalty on 80 minutes, but Fouché pushed the kick to the right.
It was a game the Pumas should have won. They dominated the scrums in the second half and played against 14 and then 13 men for over 20 minutes in this half.
The Griquas showed fight and guts to win the game, and win they deservedly did.