Pumas, Griquas sneak through to SA Cup final

The Pumas will host defending champions Griquas in next weekend’s SA Cup final.

The Pumas claimed a dramatic 31-29 win over the Boland Kavaliers in the first semi-final at Mbombela Stadium on Friday night, before Griquas edged the Cheetahs 41-38 in Kimberley on Saturday.

In Nelspruit, the Pumas were at one stage reduced to 12 men following three yellow cards – in the 55th, 57th and 58th minutes – and needed a late penalty goal by flyhalf Danrich Visagie to snatch victory.

The nail-biting win means the Pumas are still on course to finish the season unbeaten.

In Kimberley, Griquas and the Cheetahs were level three times, twice in the second half.

A penalty goal by captain George Whitehead gave Griquas a 41-38 lead with 10 minutes remaining.

The Cheetahs then piled on the pressure, but Griquas managed to hold up a forward over the tryline and force the turnover in the last play of the game.

SA Cup semi-final results and scorers

Griquas 41 Cheetahs 38
Griquas – Tries: Cameron Hufke, Janco Uys (2), Gurshwin Wehr (2). Conversions: George Whitehead (5). Penalty goal: Whitehead (2).
Cheetahs – Tries: Michael Annies (2), Ali Mgijima, Prince Nkabinde, Gideon van der Merwe, Louis van der Westhuizen. Conversions: Tiaan Swanepoel (3), Cohen Jasper.

Pumas 31 Boland Kavaliers 29
Pumas – Tries: Ross Braude, Darnell Osuagwu, Lundi Msenge. Conversions: Danrich Visagie (2). Penalty goals: Danrich Visagie (4).
Boland Kavaliers – Tries: Sidney Tobias, Xavier Mitchell, Thurlow Marsh, Penalty try. Conversions: James Tedder (2). Penalty goal: Tedder.

Photo: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images