In a game riddled with errors, turnovers and bad handling at times — not surprising in the searing heat of a Durban summer’s day devoid of a cooling breeze — the Pumas upset the Wildebeest by 30 points to 10 in their first-round Vodacom Cup rugby match at the Absa Stadium on Saturday.
It was level at 10 points apiece at the break.
Flyhalf Rudy Voight, the ace in the Pumas’ pack, scored a try, three penalties and two conversions to contribute 20 points and unsettle a Wildebeest team packed with Sharks second-string players, many of whom have Super 14 experience.
The home side were guilty of conceding about a dozen turnovers when well placed, and from two of these the Pumas scored tries, with scrumhalf Jacques Coetzee and eighthman Quintin Minnaar breaking through their defences almost without a hand being laid on them.
The Pumas also had any number of chances go astray as they made mistakes on attack, but may be forgiven as surely they were not used to the extreme humidity of the afternoon. — Sapa