IN PHOTOS: Border defeat Pumas in thrilling SA U21 Shield final
A late penalty goal secured Border victory.
Border defeated the Pumas 41-38 in a pulsating SA U21 Shield final at White River Rugby Club on Saturday, October 11.
The match was a thriller right down to the final whistle with the lead changing hands numerous times.
The Pumas U21s got off to a nervous start with the Border U21s dominating the opening 20 minutes of play. Tries by prop, Yoyisa Mahobe and fly half, Ntsika Zawula, and two conversions by scrum half, Sinalo Jivana, gave the visitors a 14-0 lead.
In the 24th minute the Pumas put their first points on the scoreboard. A maul from a lineout could not be stopped by Border and hooker, Bonga Nxumalo, claimed the try.
The Pumas had got into their stride and five minutes later prop, Xavier Boikanya, scored for the home team. Fullback, Divan Spangenberg, converted and the score was 14-12 to Border.
Pumas’ scrum half, Caeden Moller, scored a try shortly afterwards, with Spangenberg adding the the points.
Border scored next when flanker, Sibabalwe Mtshini, barged over for a try off a quickly tapped penalty. Jivana added the two points.
Shortly before half time the Pumas’ left wing, Jahnno Lehman, finished off a backline attack in the left corner. The conversion attempt failed.
The half-time score was 24-21 in favour of the Pumas.
Early in the second half the Pumas extended their lead. Spangenberg collected a deft chip kick and caught the defence out of position to score a try which he converted.
When the pressure was on, Border shifted up a gear. Alizwa Majila came off the bench to score a try from an attack which started in Borders’ half of the field. Jivana missed the conversion.
Left wing, Siphenathi April, scored next for Border. Jivana’s conversion took the score to 33-31 in the away team’s favour.
Border scored again, with hooker, Mivuyo Tywayi, dotting down off a attacking maul. Jivana’s kick went wide.
The Pumas dug deep and it was eighthman, Ewald Kirstein, who scored a try, followed by a conversion by Louis Jordaan.
The score was 38-38 with eight minutes of play left.
Border were awarded a penalty and captain Jivana stepped up for a shot at goal – no doubt the biggest pressure kick of his career. From 56m out, he slotted the ball through the uprights and Border led 41-38.
The score remained the same for the rest of the match.
It was a final to remember. Two evenly-matched teams battled for the title of SA U21 Shield champions.
The Pumas’ lack of discipline proved costly, with too many second-half penalties undermining their efforts. A sluggish start added to their troubles.
Border defended well and made the most of their opportunities. And while it was one player pressure penalty goal that earned the winning points, it was a superb team effort by the visitors.
