The Pumas beat the Griffons 40-27 in a first-division Absa Currie Cup semifinal played at Witbank on Friday night. They will face either the Falcons or Elephants in the final. The half-time score was 16-13.
The Pumas have only lost two games in their group but were made to fight for their points.
They scored four tries in total, but allowed the Griffons to challenge them in the first half. The Pumas remained in control thanks to flyhalf Casper Steyn, who scored 20 points from four conversion and four penalties.
The Griffons, who put on a good display in the first half, lacked the finishing touch and lost the chance to score, which cost them dearly.
Griffons centre Innes van Rooyen scored the opening try of the match in the 16th minute, which flyhalf Andre Hough converted. Three minutes later, Hyron Thysse sped in a try for the Pumas to level the scores.
Steyn added two more penalties to give his side a slender advantage at the break.
In the second half, the Pumas looked like a different side. A try from flank Daniel Vermeulen in the 53rd minute extended the Pumas’ lead, but the Griffons, in defiance, scored through fullback and Tobela Mdaka two minutes later.
But the home side responding with two more tries shortly afterwards. Scrumhalf Ashieq Wise scored a try in the 63rd minute, followed by hooker Hannes Franklin four minutes later.
After Steyn took another penalty to give his side a 20-point lead, the Griffons managed a consolation try through replacement hooker Etienne Reynecke on the whistle. — Sapa