The Pumas won their first-ever Vodacom Cup title, after defeating DHL Western Province by 24-7 in the 2015 Final at DHL Newlands on Saturday, May 30.
Leading into today’s final, DHL WP, a young team with an average age of just 22, had won nine from nine games this season, so they can certainly hold their heads up high in 2015 – despite being defeated in the first-ever Vodacom Cup Final at DHL Newlands.
***MUST-READ: 84% Vodacom Cup win-rate for DHL WP since 2012***
This win, however, saw the Pumas secure their first Vodacom Cup title after they were losing finalists in 2013 and they upset the formbook as they inflicted the first defeat of the season on DHL Western Province, the 2012 champions.
The Nelspruit-based Pumas ran in three first-half tries while their defensive work throughout the match was immense while Province were stymied by their inability to string together any meaningful passages of play.
The helter-skelter opening exchanges saw both teams’ flyhalves miss early penalty attempts but the Pumas’ forwards were starting to gain ascendency and they finally took advantage when flank Marnus Schoeman flopped over the tryline for an unconverted score after a powerful maul that gained 22 metres.
The heavy conditions underfoot were forcing both teams to keep the ball among the forwards and Western Province turned down two kickable penalties in favour of kicking for the corner to set up attacking lineouts.
However, the decision backfired as the Pumas’ defence held on both occasions while the visitors were winning the battle at the breakdown as Province conceded five turnovers in the first half.
DHL Western Province were left rueing their decision to turn down the kickable penalties when the Pumas turned defence into attack as lock Rudi Mathee took an inside pass from pivot JC Roos, after good work in the build up from scrumhalf Reynier van Rooyen, before cantering over for a converted try in the 31st minute.
The Pumas’ forwards continued to dominate the contest and a lineout five metres from the host’s tryline resulted in loosehead prop Khwezi Mona diving over from close-range for his first Vodacom Cup try.
Roos nailed the touchline conversion as the Pumas eased to a 19-0 lead with two minutes left in the half.
DHL WP finally got on the scoreboard after 11 minutes of the second half when they were awarded a penalty try after Schoeman was yellow carded for a pulling a maul down with Province just short of the Pumas tryline.
Despite their numerical advantage the hosts were unable to break down the superb Pumas’ defence.
The visitors finally made sure of the win when Schoeman was mauled over for his second try with just seconds left in the game.
The scorers:
For DHL Western Province:
Try: Penalty try
Con: Du Preez
For the Steval Pumas:
Tries: Schoeman 2, Mathee, Mona
Cons: Roos 2
The teams:
DHL Western Province: 15 Mat Turner, 14 Willy Ambaka, 13 Pat Howard, 12 Jaco Taute, 11 Tshotsho Mbovane, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Rayn Smid, 7 Justin Benn, 6 Tapiwa Tsomondo, 5 Chris van Zyl, 4 Jan de Klerk, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Michael Willemse (captain), 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Charlie van Jaarsveld, 17 Deacon Chowles, 18 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 19 Luke van der Smit, 20 Justin Phillips, 21 Kyle Lombard, 22 Ernst Stapelberg.
Pumas: 15 JW Bell, 14 Bernado Botha, 13 Wilmaure Louw, 12 Stefan Watermeyer (captain), 11 Jerome Pretorius, 10 JC Roos, 9 Reynier van Rooyen, 8 Jason-Colin Fraser, 7 Uzair Cassiem, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Marius Coetzer, 4 Rudi Mathee, 3 DJ Terblanche, 2 Jacques Momberg, 1 Khwezi Mona.
Replacements: 16 Frankie Herne, 17 Simon Westraadt, 18 Eduan van der Walt, 19 Brian Shabangu, 20 Johan Herbst, 21 Justin van Staden, 22 Rosko Specman.
Referee: Quinton Immelman
Assistant referees: Jason Jaftha, Francois Pretorius
TMO: Deon van Blommestein
