The NNC Pumas are within the grasp of a Carling Currie Cup Cup semi-final after a 28-19 win over the Toyota Cheetahs at Mbombela Stadium this afternoon.

It was not an attractive game of rugby with both teams making unforced errors and an avalanche of penalties, but the Pumas were the better team over 80 minutes.

Their scrums and mauls were on song and they defended well.

The visitors were their own worst enemy and the players’ frustrations played into the Pumas’ hands.

Simon Westraadt scored on five minutes from a beautiful penalty – lineout – maul. Eddie Fouché missed the conversion, but added a penalty five minutes later.

Another Fouché penalty gave the Pumas an 11-0 lead after 24 minutes.

The Cheetahs got onto the scoreboard minutes later when Victor Sekelele claimed the five points from a maul, after the visitors opted to kick a penalty into touch. Ruan Pienaar added the two points.

Aranos Coetzee was yellow-carded in the 32nd minute for a high tackle on Ettienne Taljaard. 

The Pumas made the most of the one-man advantage with Westraadt scoring a carbon copy of his first try on the stroke of half-time. Fouché converted

The Pumas led 18-7.

The first 20 minutes of the second half were scrappy from both teams.

Fouché increased the lead with a 25-metre penalty kick in the 60th minute. 

But the Cheetahs were not done yet and mauled over the try line four minutes later with Andisa Ntsila scoring. Pienaar converted from the right touchline.

Cheetah Duncan Saal was yellow-carded in the 69th minute for repeatedly breaking the laws of the game.

The Pumas increased their lead when they were awarded a penalty try on 68 minutes when the Cheethas mauled illegally, after the home side again opted for touch after being awarded a penalty. Ntsila was yellow-carded for the infringement. 

The Cheetahs were down to 13 men.

Five minutes later the Pumas’ Willie Engelbrecht joined the two Cheetahs on the naughty seats for a cynical off-side infringement. 

Clayton Blommetjies scored with five minutes left. The Cheetahs moved the ball right down the backline and the fullback dove in on the right-hand corner.

Brandon Thompson missed the conversion.

Fouché tapped a penalty and kicked the ball into the stands on the hooter.

The Pumas had earned a 28-19 win.

The win moved the Pumas into third place on the log. This could change, depending on the result of the game between the Tafel Lager Griquas and DHL Western Province tomorrow afternoon.

At the time of writing the Cell C Sharks were leading the Sigma Lions 49-14. As the Sharks are above the Pumas on the log a Sharks win will leave the Pumas in third place.