Pumas 32 Cheetahs 33
The Steval Pumas squandered a golden opportunity to record the best premier Currie Cup season ever when they narrowly went down 32-33 to the Toyota Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Friday afternoon.
A fifth Currie Cup victory would have been the Pumas’ best result in South Africa’s premier domestic competition, and at times it seemed like it was a forgone conclusion.
To be fair, they have had many opportunities to beat the Free State, but their efforts were not efficient enough against opponents they could have put away easily.
Two late tries by Free States fly-half Robbie Petzer and elusive running by fullback Clayton Blommetjies were too good for the Pumas defenders.
There were many positive signs during the match which they controlled for almost an hour – a maul try by Frank Herne, a fine try by the hard-running winger Jerome Pretorius, a try by Willie Engelbrecht after fine interplay with the other loose forwards and a try by Justin van Staden which should have been the coup de grâce.
A dropped pass by Van Staden and a foot into touch by flanker Brian Shabangu, who made up in the second half by some spirited play, eventually cost the Pumas a spot in the history book, and a possible place in the competition.
Scorers
Pumas
Tries: Frankie Herne, Trompie Pretorius, Willie Engelbrecht, Justin van Staden. Conversions: Kobus Marais (3). Penalties: Marais (2).
Free State:
Tries: Robbie Petzer (2), Zee Makhabela, Cecil Afrika, Reinach Venter. Conversions: Petzer (4).
