Flyhalf George Whitehead spearheaded Griquas to back-to-back Currie Cup titles as the champions outmuscled the Pumas in Kimberley.
Whitehead, who earned his 150th cap, slotted two conversions and three penalties for an individual tally of 13 points in Griquas’ 23-16 win.
It was the Kimberley-based team’s fifth Currie Cup title.
Whitehead opened the scoring with a penalty goal after nine minutes, but the Pumas hit back when winger Darren Adonis crossed for the opening try of the final, with flyhalf Clinton Swart adding the conversion.
Griquas responded through centre Mnombo Zwelendaba in the 22nd minute after sustained pressure inside the Pumas 22, finishing off a series of relentless phases close to the posts. Whitehead added 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 soon after, as both sides continued to trade territory and pressure.
Defence was 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.
First, Griquas winger Sako Makata knocked on over the tryline. Then, 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 13-10 lead into half-time.
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There was very little to choose between the sides in the third quarter. The Pumas’ passionate defence was again a feature as a desperate ankle tap stopped a barnstorming Makata run.
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 goal.
With the final 10 minutes approaching, the tension at Griqua Park was palpable. But that tension turned to jubilation when Whitehead calmly slotted a 55m 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 extras.
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
The post Griquas back-to-back Currie Cup kings appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Flyhalf George Whitehead spearheaded Griquas to back-to-back Currie Cup titles as the champions outmuscled the Pumas in Kimberley.
The post Griquas back-to-back Currie Cup kings appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
