Griquas back-to-back Currie Cup kings

Flyhalf George Whitehead spearheaded the Pumas to back-to-back Currie Cup titles as they outmuscled the Pumas in Kimberley on Saturday.

Whitehead – who earned his 150th cap – slotted three penalties and two conversions for an individual tally of 13 points in Griquas’ 23 – 16 win.

Whitehead opened the scoring with a penalty after nine minutes, but the Pumas hit back five minutes later when winger Darren Adonis crossed for the opening try of the final, with Clinton Swart adding the conversion. Griquas responded through Mnombo Zwelendaba in the 22nd minute after sustained pressure inside the Pumas 22.

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The Griquas No 12 finished off a series of relentless phases close to the poles, with Whitehead adding the conversion to bring the hosts level and ignite the Kimberley crowd. The Pumas regained the lead through two Swart penalties, the first in the 26th minute and the second eight minutes later, as both sides continued to trade territory and pressure.

Defence has been a defining feature of the final, with neither side willing to give the opposition an easy route to the tryline. There was late drama at both ends as both teams were denied tries after crossing the line.

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First, Griquas winger Sako Makata appeared to have an opportunity to score, only for the ball to be knocked on over the line. Then a few minutes later, Pumas lock JJ Scheepers suffered a similar fate when the ball was ripped from his grasp as he crossed the tryline.

The visitors took a nervy 3-point lead into the halftime break.

There was very little to choose between the two sides in the third quarter, with both sides giving as good as they got. The Pumas’ passionate defence was again a feature as a desperate ankle tap stopped a barnstorming run from Makata.

The defending champions struggled for fluidity, with handling errors and penalties costing them much-needed momentum. But despite that, Whitehead was able to draw the sides level once again through a penalty on the stroke of the 60th minute.

With the final ten minutes approaching, the tension at Griqua Park was palpable. But that tension turned to jubilation when Whitehead calmly slotted a 55-metre penalty to take Griquas into the lead. However, less than two minutes later, Swart slotted a penalty of his own to once again draw the sides level.

Griquas then took a page from the Springbok playbook, walking the Pumas in a dominant rolling maul which saw replacement hooker Janco Uys dot down for the decisive try. Whitehead continued a perfect afternoon from the kicking tee, adding the extra two points.

The Pumas weren’t able to convert any of their late chances which ensured that the Currie Cup stays in the Diamond city for at least one more year.

GRIQUAS – Tries: Mnombo Zwelendaba, Janco Uys. Conversions: George Whitehead (2). Penalties: Whitehead (3)
PUMAS – Try: Darren Adonis. Conversion: Clinton Swart. Penalties: Swart (3)

Photo: Danie Van Der Lith/Gallo Images

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