Pumas keep play-off hopes alive with hard-fought victory over Griffons

The victory moves the Pumas to 24 points, level with the fourth-placed Cheetahs, who maintain their position on the log due to a superior points difference, with just two pool rounds left.

The Griffons made an explosive start, crossing the line twice within the first 15 minutes. Their initial try came from a well-executed maul following an early penalty, with hooker Willem van den Hever touching down and wing Andrew Kota adding the conversion. Shortly after, scrumhalf Dewald Human's sniping run set up flank Thato Mavundla for a second unconverted try, giving the hosts a 12-0 lead.

The Pumas struggled to find their rhythm, but a series of penalties against the Griffons, including a yellow card for Mavundla, gave them the opportunity to fight back. Prop Dewald Maritz capitalized with a powerful try, converted by inside centre Clinton Swart to put the visitors on the scoreboard.

As the first half drew to a close, the Pumas took advantage of more Griffons' penalties to set up a lineout deep in the opposition's territory. A successful maul saw hooker Eduan Swart score, with Swart's conversion giving the Pumas a narrow 14-12 lead at halftime.

The Pumas carried their momentum into the second half, with inside centre David Brits setting up flyhalf Danrich Visagie for a converted try shortly after the restart. The Griffons' discipline issues continued, leading to captain Duan Pretorius and eighthman Calla Pienaar both being sin-binned for repeated infringements.

Despite being down to 13 men, the Griffons initially held off the Pumas' advances. However, the visitors eventually broke through, with fullback Tino Swanepoel crossing the line for a bonus-point try, converted by Swart, extending the lead to 28-12.

The Pumas further increased their advantage in the 65th minute, with Brits executing a clever grubber kick, following up to score under the posts. The Griffons responded in the 70th minute with a try from fullback Kyle Cyster, converted by Kota, reducing the deficit to 35-19.

However, any hopes of a comeback were dashed as the Pumas added two more tries in the final 10 minutes. Replacement scrumhalf Ross Braude and replacement hooker Llewellyn Claasen both scored from lineout drives, pushing the score to 45-19.

In the dying moments, the Griffons managed to cross the line one last time, with replacement hooker Simon Westraadt scoring off a maul, and Pretorius converting to bring the final score to 45-26.

The scorers:

For Griffons:

Tries: Van den Hever, Mavundla, Cyster, Westraadt

Cons: Kota 2

For Pumas:

Tries: Maritz, E. Swart, Visagie, Swanepoel, Brits, Braude, Usuagwu,

Cons: C Swart 5

Yellow cards: Thato Mavundla (Griffons, 26 - repeated infringements), Duan Pretorius (Griffons, 47 - repeated infringement), Calla Pienaar (Griffons, 48 - cynical foul)

Teams

Griffons: 15 Kyle Cyster, 14 Qamani Kota, 13 Keanu Vers, 12 Jandre de Beer, 11 Gurshwin Wehr, 10 Duan Pretorius, 9 Dewald Human, 8 Calla Pienaar, 7 Thomas Ongera, 6 Thato Mavundla, 5 Curtly Thomas, 4 Matthew Gray, 3 Buhle Nojekwa, 2 Willem van der Hever, 1 Xolani Jacobs.

Replacements: 16 Simon Westraadt, 17 Mthokozisi Gumede, 18 Moango Ngundue, 19 Wikus Niewenhuis, 20 Rian Olivier, 21 Mingo Piti, 22 Keegan Schaefer, 23 Gilroy Philander.

Pumas: 15 Tino Swanepoel, 14 Stefan Coetzee, 13 David Brits, 12 Clinton Swart, 11 Darren Adonis, 10 Danrich Visagie, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Ruwald van der Merwe, 7 Anele Lungisa, 6 Ntsika Fisanti, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 Sampie Swiegers, 2 Eduan Swart (captain), 1 Deward Maritz.

Replacements: 16 Darnell Usuagwu, 17 Etienne Janeke, 18 Munashe Mhere, 19 Jeandre Leonard, 20 Marvelous Mashimbyi, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Wian van Niekerk, 23 Phiko Sobahle.

Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron

TMO: Quinton Immelman

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