Sport

Clash of the titans as Griquas and Pumas face off in SA Cup

Danie van der Lith|Published

George Whitehead will need to be clinical with the boot on Friday against the Pumas, as every point will count in the fierce battle on the field. Picture: Danie van der Lith

LAST weekend, the heat was on in the SA Cup competition, with the Suzuki Griquas and Airlink Pumas continuing their relentless, unbeaten charge in the competition, maintaining their spotless records.

Meanwhile, the NovaVit Griffons and Toyota Cheetahs displayed their prowess, also securing vital victories to stay in the hunt.

Griquas set the tone with a commanding performance, routing Eastern Province with a resounding 50-0 triumph in Uitenhage on Friday. The log leaders wasted no time, piling up 38 points in the first half alone, before sealing the deal with another 12 after the break.

Led by Pieter Bergh, Griquas displayed remarkable discipline, shutting out Eastern Province from the scoreboard entirely. The try-fest saw standout performances from Marco de Witt and Bobby Jordaan, each crossing the whitewash twice, while George Whitehead's accurate kicking boot added five conversions to the tally.

Meanwhile, over in Nelspruit on Saturday, the Pumas unleashed an onslaught of their own, demolishing the Leopards with an emphatic 71-10 victory. With 11 tries to their name, the Pumas showcased their attacking prowess, matching the Griquas' unbeaten streak of six games out of six.

Stefan Coetzee and Tino Swanepoel led the charge with impressive hat-tricks, supported by a clinical performance from pivot Clinton Swart, who notched up seven conversions. Despite a valiant effort, the Leopards could only muster two tries, courtesy of Chris Vermaak and Chyle van Zyl.

All this means that in the upcoming clash between the Suzuki Griquas and the formidable Pumas, with both teams showcasing impressive form, the stage is set for an electrifying match.

Griquas, known for their swift backline and relentless attacking prowess, are gearing up to face the Pumas' formidable defence, renowned as one of the most robust in the tournament.

Yes, the Griquas boast dynamic offensive capabilities too, but the challenge lies in breaching the Pumas’ formidable defensive wall without succumbing to penalties in their own territory. George Whitehead’s precision in kicking will be pivotal, as every point will count in their quest to outshine the Pumas.

Over the course of the past nine encounters between the Griquas and the Pumas, spanning from December 2020, to June last year, the Pumas have had the upper hand, being victorious in five clashes. In contrast, the Griquas secured three wins, while one match ended in a draw.

With both sides poised to give their utmost effort throughout the full 80 minutes on Friday, anticipation for the showdown is palpable.

As the SA Cup hurtles towards its climax, all eyes are on the upcoming clash between Griquas and the Pumas in Kimberley. This titanic battle looms large, with the winner poised to seize the initiative ahead of the final matches on the weekend of May 24-25.

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