The Pumas clinched a hard-fought 22-17 Currie Cup victory over Griquas in Nelspruit on Friday.

In a bottom of the table battle, the Pumas outscored their visitors three tries to two to come away with the win to secure the log points on offer.

The hosts opened up a 10-point lead after the first quarter, but Griquas hit back through Eduan Keyter to get on the board. However, the Pumas had the final say before the break with wing Luther Obi crashing over to give his team a 15-7 advantage at half-time.

There was one try either way at the resumption, with Keyter going over for his and Griquas’ second of the match. With five points separating them, the game was set-up for a grandstand finish. But while Griquas had managed to create one last scoring chance, they failed to capitalise at the death as the Pumas hung on to seal the deal.

Pumas – Tries: Penalty try, Luther Obi, Daniel Maartens. Conversions: Ginter Smuts (2). Penalty: Smuts.
Griquas – Tries: Eduan Keyter (2). Conversions: Tinus de Beer (2). Penalty: De Beer.

Pumas – 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Luther Obi, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Etienne Taljaard, 10 Devon Williams, 9 Ginter Smuts, 8 Willim Engelbrecht, 7 Darrien Landsberg, 6 Phumzile Maqondwana, 5 Pieter Jansen van Vuren (c), 4 Le Roux Roets, 3 Ruan Kramer, 2 Simon Westraadt, 1 Dewald Maritz.
Subs: 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Ignatius Prinsloo, 18 Brandon Valentyn, 19 Daniel Maartens, 20 Chriswill September, 21 Tiaan Botes, 22 Wayne van Bank, 23 Liam Hendriks.

Griquas – 15 James Verity-Amm, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Berton Klaasen, 12 Johnathan Francke, 11 Eduan Keyter, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Zak Burger (c), 8 Johan Momsen, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Cyril Velleman, 5 Cameron Lindsay, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Ewald van der Westhuizen, 2 Hendrick Luus, 1 Nqobisizwe Mxoli.
Subs: 16 Monde Hadebe, 17 Andrew Beerwinkel, 18 John-Roy Jenkinson, 19 Mzwanele Zito, 20 Carl Els, 21 Theo Maree, 22 Andre Swarts, 23 Enver Brandt, 24 Zandre Jordaan, 25 Ewan Coetzee, 26 Ashlon Davids.

Photo: Gallo Images