Composed Pumas rewrite history with Currie Cup triumph
The Pumas pipped Griquas 26-19 in a momentous final in Kimberley to clinch their first Currie Cup title on Saturday afternoon.
In a historic battle of ultimate underdogs, the visitors maximised their maiden finals appearance by outscoring the hosts by three tries to one in front of a capacity crowd of 8,500 to capture the crown jewel of South African rugby.
The Pumas class of 2022, captained by flanker Willie Engelbrecht, seized the day with a heroic performance to cap a fairy-tale season under long-time coach Jimmy Stonehouse.
The Lowvelders’ sharpness on attack and powerful driving maul saw them score two unanswered tries, which helped them take an 18-9 lead into the break, with the hosts managing just three penalty goals via the boot of George Whitehead.
The lead grew to 17 before the Peacock Blues produced a fightback, which was sparked by a scintillating try by Munier Hartzenberg in the 57th minute.
A late monster penalty goal from Whitehead, who’d also converted his wing’s try, gave Windhoek Draught Griquas a chance to force the final into extra time with a last-gasp converted try.
However, it never came as the Pumas held on.
But Peacock Blue also had a phenomenal first season under coach Pieter Bergh even though they fell just short of following in the footsteps of the legendary victorious teams of 1899, 1911 and 1970.
