Griquas and Pumas book Currie Cup final showdown

The defending champions Suzuki Griquas and the Pumas will contest the Currie Cup final after contrasting semi-final victories over the Lions and Cheetahs on Sunday.

Griquas produced a dominant display in Kimberley, defeating the Lions 52-12 to reach the final for the second successive season. The Pumas secured their place with a dramatic 27-24 win against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

Griquas 52-12 Lions

Griquas established control from the outset and led 35-5 at half-time, with their powerful forward pack repeatedly overwhelming the Lions at scrum time.

The hosts scored seven tries to the Lions’ two. Lourens Oosthuizen opened the scoring before Marco de Witt crossed within the first 12 minutes, giving Griquas an early advantage.

The Lions briefly halted the pressure when hooker Armand Combrinck scored, but Griquas soon regained the initiative. Mnombo Zwelendaba, Stefan Coetzee and Tiaan Lange all crossed before the interval, while George Whitehead converted each of the five first-half tries to give the champions a 30-point lead.

Oosthuizen added his second try shortly after the restart as Griquas continued to dominate. Ethan Adams replied for the Lions, but Jack Hart scored the home side’s seventh try.

Replacement fly-half Liam Koen then kicked a late penalty, taking Griquas beyond the 50-point mark.

Their superiority in the scrum was central to the result, with Griquas forcing six penalties in that area and consistently placing the Lions under pressure.

The victory extended Griquas’ winning streak to seven matches since their opening-round loss to the Stormers XXIII. Pieter Bergh’s side finished top of the league phase and will now attempt to complete their title defence in front of their home supporters.

Pumas overturn half-time deficit

The Pumas had to recover from a half-time disadvantage before Clinton Swart’s 70th-minute penalty proved decisive against the Cheetahs.

Swart converted the crucial opportunity with 10 minutes remaining and was named man of the match after the Pumas survived a tense closing spell. The result gave them consecutive victories over the Cheetahs, following last week’s 52-26 success in Nelspruit.

The Cheetahs controlled the opening period. Jaco van der Walt put them ahead with a penalty before Ramon Uys scored from a rolling maul to make it 10-0.

Swart reduced the deficit with a penalty before the break, leaving the Cheetahs 10-3 in front at half-time.

The Pumas responded strongly after the restart. Darren Adonis scored from a stolen lineout, with Swart’s conversion bringing the scores level. Andre Goedhals then put the visitors ahead.

The Cheetahs answered through replacement hooker Marko Janse van Rensburg, who crossed after another rolling-maul attack. Gustav du Rand restored the Pumas’ advantage with a further maul try, but Carel-Jan Coetzee brought the home side level at 24-24.

Swart’s penalty in the 70th minute gave the Pumas the lead for the final time. The Cheetahs were presented with an opportunity to equalise from a penalty in front of the posts, but opted to kick for touch and attack with their rolling maul instead.

The Pumas repelled the assault and eventually won a vital breakdown penalty, ending the Cheetahs’ hopes of forcing extra pressure or a late levelling score.

The Pumas will face Griquas in next Saturday’s final in Kimberley, with the defending champions having earned home advantage through their 52-12 semi-final victory over the Lions.