The Steval Pumas announced their return to premier division rugby by annihilating the Toyota Cheetahs scrum in the second minute of the match at Mbombela Stadium tonight, much to the delight of the home fans. Seventy eight minutes of playing time later the Steval Pumas answered the question on everyone’s lips – can they match the big guns of the ABSA Premier Division. The answer was a resounding yes, with a 28-21 victory over the Toyota Cheetahs.
The home team dominated up front with solid scrumming and text-book mauling. They defended well against the Free Staters who run the ball to the wings for much of the game.
Both teams’ lineouts were solid.
It was with the hard work in the engine room of the tight five where the Pumas laid the foundation for the win. The Cheetahs simply were outmuscled.
Poor discipline and a cynical disregard for the rules cost the Pumas. They gave away nine points in penalties, and it could have been more with two missed penalty kicks and a wasted tap and go by Sarel Pretorius near the try line.
The Cheetahs also lacked discipline, gifting the Pumas nine points.
Cheetahs opened the scoring with a Rayno Benjamin finishing off an excellent backline move. Willie du Plessis missed a fairly easy conversion.
Pumas fly half Justin van Staden, scored his team’s first Currie Cup 2014 points with a tenth-minute penalty.
Midway through the half, wing JW Bell caught the Cheetahs napping when he tapped and ran 10 metres from the try line. He scored an easy try and Van Staden added two points for the Pumas to lead 10-7.
Two Du Plessis penalties gave the lead back to the Cheetahs as the Pumas were punished for their lack of discipline.
With ten minutes left in the half the Pumas punted a goalable penalty into touch. The resulting maul from the lineout went over the try line with 150-cap captain, Corne Steenkamp claiming the try. Van Staden missed the conversion but the Pumas were back in then lead.
Another penalty against the Pumas gave the Cheetahs a one point half-time lead.
Cheetahs replacement fly half Elgar Watts slotted one and Van Staden kicked two penalties to take the score to 21-16 with 20 minutes to play.
The Pumas lifted their game and were the stronger team for the final half hour. They improved their discipline and with the Cheetahs full of running, defended well.
Pumas centre JW Jonker celebrated his return to the Pumas with a brilliant try. Eighthman, Renaldo Bothma somehow kept the ball in play with a tap infield, on the left touch line. Jonker collected and with no defenders in his way, sprinted over for the try. The television match official ruled it was a try.
Van Staden converted.
Rayno Benjamin scored his second try after the Cheetahs had camped on the Pumas try line. The home team run out of defenders for Benjamin to go over in the right corner.
A missed conversion left to Cheetahs seven points adrift with eight minutes to play.
A 74th minute JC Roos penalty kick which hit the upright made no difference as the Pumas played out the clock for a historic victory.
The win was hard earned but not pretty. The Steval Pumas will need to improve their discipline and cut down on poor decision making in the Shark Tank on Friday night. Against the Sharks poor decisions and lack of respect for the rule book will bite them hard.
But despite the far-from-satisfactory on-field performance the Steval Pumas will have made the other teams in the Premier Division sit up and take notice. Any match at Mbombela Stadium will be hard.
