The Airlink Pumas suffered their third loss of the 2023 Carling Currie Cup season after barely returning to their winning ways against the NovaVit Griffons.
The Cell C Sharks bagged their second victory over the Pumas on Friday evening, May 12 thanks to a penalty conversion through full back Nevaldo Fleurs.
Both these teams came into round 10 of the championship after victories in their previous matches, and it was evident they did not want to end their winnings there.
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The visiting side took an immediate lead courtesy of a try through flanker James Venter. Patient play from the Pumas paid off and they were rewarded with two consecutive penalties, slotted over through the kicking boot of Tinus de Beer.
Thereafter, the Mpumalanga outfit had a one-man advantage after a yellow card was pulled out for Lionel Cronjé. De Beer split the uprights once more to take the home side to a 9-5 lead.
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Minutes before the end of the first half, the Pumas gave up their advantage when Njabulo Gumede was sent to the sin bin with a red after a high tackle executed on Venter.
The crowd was treated to tightly contested rugby in the second half with neither team willing to give up their territory.
After some up-and-down play, the Sharks gave away a penalty. De Beer had no trouble with the conversion.
The Pumas came dangerously close to the try line on numerous occasions and attacked the ball well. A try was, however, not in the script yet and forced De Beer to try his hand at a drop goal. Jimmy Stonehouse’s side led 15-5 at this point.
Ill discipline crept into the Pumas’ game, replicating what had happened last week, and captain Shane Kirkwood received a yellow card for cynical play.
The Pumas played with 13 men in relation to the Shark’s 15 for the remainder of the match.
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Immediately after the send-off, the visitors exploited their advantage and pulled back five points through Dan Jooste.
Giovan Snyman jogged over for the Pumas shortly after with De Beer converting.
But the Sharks chipped at their lead to come back from 13 points behind to claim victory at Mbombela Stadium with one goal to the good.
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Dylan Richardson and prop Dian Bleuler powered across the line in the final five minutes and Fleurs banged over the game-winning conversion
The Pumas remain second on the log with the Sharks rounding off the top 3.
