Currie Cup result: Griquas too strong for Pumas
· Citizen
Defending champions Griquas strengthened their position at the top of the Currie Cup log with a convincing win against the Pumas in Nelspruit on Friday.
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A brace from centre Zane Bester and 11 points from flyhalf George Whitehead led Griquas to a 38-14 win, moving them four points clear of the second-placed Cheetahs. The Pumas remain third, for now.
Griquas travel to Wellington to face the Boland Cavaliers in the final round next weekend, while Pumas host the Cheetahs in Nelspruit.
On Friday, Bester and hooker Tiaan Lange crossed inside the opening quarter, Whitehead converting both to make it 14-0.
Flank Ruwald van der Merwe’s yellow card gave the visitors more room to work and they took full advantage, with flanker Lourens Oosthuizen finishing off a textbook maul.
Replacement flyhalf Clinton Swart gave the hosts some hope in the closing stages of the half, scoring a converted try. Whitehead then split the uprights just before the break to give Griquas a 24-7 lead.
Gurswin Wehr broke clear after the restart to secure the bonus point for the visitors before opposite wing Dylan Maart was shown a yellow for a dangerous tackle.
Pumas replacement prop Junior Banda powered over while he was off and Swart converted to make it 31-14.
The hosts’ discipline continued to let them down when replacement hooker Jan-Henning Campher received a 20-minute red card for a dangerous, reckless cleanout, forcing the Pumas to end the game with 14 men.
Bester then pounced on a loose ball in the Pumas’ 22 to complete his brace and replacement flyhalf Liam Koen added the extras.
PUMAS – Tries: Cinton Swart, Junior Banda. Conversions: Clinton Swart (2).
GRIQUAS – Tries: Zane Bester (2), Tiaan Lange, Lourens Oosthuizen, Gurswin Wehr. Conversions: George Whitehead (4), Liam Koen. Penalty: George Whitehead.
This story first appeared on sarugbymag.co.za. It is republished here with permission.