Replacement flyhalf Danrich Visagie proved the hero for the visitors, with his extra-time penalty ultimately separating the two fierce rivals at a packed Suzuki Stadium.

The Pumas looked in complete control during a dominant first half, taking a 28-7 advantage into the break after running in four tries to one. Matters became even more difficult for the hosts when Dylan Maart received a red card for a dangerous tackle, forcing the Griquas to play 20 minutes with 14 men.

Caleb Abrahams - Morgan Piek

Despite the setback, the Peacock Blues produced a spirited second-half comeback that showcased the resilience which saw them finish top of the standings during the league phase. Three unanswered tries brought the scores level at 28-28 and forced the final into extra time.

The visitors from Mpumalanga, however, managed to regain control in the additional period. They opened up a 10-point lead before the break in extra time, and although Griquas fought back once more, the defending champions held their nerve to secure a memorable victory.

The Pumas made their intentions clear from the outset when flanker Ntsika Fisanti crossed for the opening try following a slick attacking movement. Nevaldo Fleurs added the conversion for a 7-0 lead.

Danrich Visagie

Griquas responded in style soon afterwards. Fullback Cameron Hufke finished off a flowing attack after collecting a sharp offload before dotting down beneath the uprights. The successful conversion levelled matters at 7-7.

The match then settled into a fierce physical battle before the Pumas struck again through Jaycee Nel, who latched onto a Willie Engelbrecht pass to score. That opened the floodgates as Wian van Niekerk and Nel, grabbing his second, added further tries in quick succession to stretch the lead dramatically.

The momentum swung further in the visitors’ favour when Maart mistimed a contest for a high ball, causing a dangerous landing for his opponent and earning a red card.

Sako Makata - Morgan Piek

Yet Griquas refused to surrender. Relying on their powerful forward pack, they began to claw their way back into the contest. Hooker Janco Uys crashed over from a rolling maul before the Pumas were reduced to 14 men themselves when Fisanti was yellow-carded for repeated infringements.

The home side immediately capitalised. After a dominant scrum near the line, replacement scrumhalf Caleb Abrahams reacted quickest to a loose ball to score, with the conversion narrowing the gap to 28-21.

With less than 10 minutes remaining, replacement hooker Tiaan Lange powered over from yet another driving maul to level the scores and send the final into overtime.

Albert Liebenberg - Morgan Piek

The Pumas struck first in extra time when Visagie sliced through a gap in the defence for a crucial converted try. He then calmly slotted a penalty after Griquas were penalised for offside at the breakdown, extending the lead to 38-28.

Griquas mounted one final charge after the turnaround as Lange grabbed his second maul try of the match. George Whitehead held his composure to convert from out wide and reduce the deficit to three points.

However, the defending champions showed tremendous composure in the closing stages, absorbing wave after wave of pressure before replacement back Conor van Heerden finally booted the ball into touch to seal a dramatic triumph for the men from Nelspruit.

Scorers:

Griquas: Tries - Cameron Hufke, Lourens Oosthuizen, Caleb Abrahams, Tiaan Lange 2 Conv. - George Whitehead 5

Pumas: Tries - Ntsika Fisant Jaycee Nel 2, Wian van Niekerk, Danrich Visagie Conv. - Nevaldo Fleurs 4, Visagie Pen. - Visagie

Morgan Piek OFM Sport