Flyhalf Tinus de Beer kicked 12 points as the Pumas rallied to beat Griquas in a Currie Cup match in Kimberley on Friday.

In a rematch of last year’s final, Griquas kept the defending champions in chase mode until the fourth quarter when a De Beer penalty set the wheels in motion for a 27-17 Pumas victory. The result assured the Pumas a top-four finish and saw Griquas end their campaign with a loss that eliminates them from the playoff race.

While De Beer kicked two penalties and converted the Pumas’ three tries for the win, it was Griquas who took an early lead and then scored again after the restart to break a 10-10 half-time stalemate.

🏉 The Airlink Pumas secure a top four finish and a place in next week’s Currie Cup semi-final thanks to a 27-17 victory over the Windhoek Draught Griquas 🔢 pic.twitter.com/UkS51MSkMj

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) June 9, 2023

Griquas flyhalf Lubabalo Dobela scored the first try of the match in the 36th minute, and Pumas finally broke through after the half-time buzzer when lock Deon Slabbert crossed the line. Though the hosts scored a converted try within the first three minutes of the second half, this proved to be their final points as the defending champions grew into the match.

Francois Kleynhans scored with 30 minutes to go, De Beer kicked a penalty in the 63rd minute to put the visitors in front for the first time and Wian van Niekerk dotted down in the final five minutes to secure the victory and fortify the Pumas’ spot in third place on the table.

ON COURSE✅🏆

The Airlink Pumas keep their title defence on course by clinching a semi-final spot at the expense of 2022 runners up @GriquasRugby in Kimberley 🔥#CurrieCup #WhereLegendsRise pic.twitter.com/6PF2i5afhA

— The Currie Cup (@TheCurrieCup) June 9, 2023