Pumas beat Lions in Steyl at KaNyamazane

Each side scored four tries, enabling the losers as well as the victors to gain valuable bonus points.
The Pumas are currently placed third on the log with the team of Kimberley, the Griquas, still topping with 40 points.

Also read: Unstoppable Pumas dominate Griquas

Driven by necessity, the Pumas had to make several changes to their squad after Justin van Staden and Marcello Sampson withdrew because of flu. Fullback, Heinrich Steyl took over the kicking duties with Marlou van Niekerk starting at fly-half.

“With all the late changes, we are very pleased with the win. I am very proud of each and every player,” coach MJ Mentz said.

Steyl was successful with a penalty kick after only three minutes and overall contributing 20 points for his team.

Also read: Pumas execute their plan perfectly to win the 2015 Vodacom Cup

Two missed tackles by the Pumas back-line led to a try for the Lions’ Anthony Volmink which Ashlon Davids converted.

After good workup from the Pumas locks, Hugo Kloppers and Jannie Stander, they created a gap for scrumhalf, Reynier van Rooyen to score in the 14th minute.

After a beautiful piece of execution and a perfectly timed inside pass by Steyl to right-wing Bernado Botha, the wing scored his second Currie Cup try and widened the gap with the fullback adding the extra two for a 20-12 lead after 26th minutes.

Steyl converted a penalty and just before the half-time whistle, Ruan Lerm manipulated the Puma defence, to dive over for the visitors’ second try with his team running back to the changing rooms, trailing 23-12 by half-time.

Just seven minutes into the second half from a lovely offload by the Lions’ loose forwards, Fabian Booysen dived over the try line which Volmink converted.

Loan player from the Sharks, Giant Mtyanda came on in the 53rd minute of the encounter which led to a try by Frank Herne and Steyl easily converted. The fullback had a personal best game after scoring and converting his own try.

Also read: Pumas scrape through against Valke

With only seven minutes left on the clock quick stepping from Shaun Reynolds and a missed tackle by Mtyanda led to the last five-pointer. “Tough loss.

“We made a lot of soft moments in the game, but to be honest the Pumas were probably the better side. We are very disappointed, but we learned some hard lessons,” Lions coach Bafana Nhleko said.

This weekend the Pumas have a bye, going up against the Sharks in New Castle on June 18.