Specman puts an end to Pumas’ Currie Cup hopes

Former Pumas winger Rosko Specman scored three tries to help the Vodacom Blue Bulls to a 25-17 win over the Phakisa Pumas on Friday night.

The Currie Cup result put an end to the Pumas’  semi-final ambitions.

The Pumas attempted to smash the Blue Bulls with high-tempo, high-risk running rugby. The Pretoria team were ready for all that was thrown at them and were able to lift their game every time the Pumas attempted to up a gear.

The Pumas scored first. Etienne Taljaard finished off a move that started in the right corner of the Pumas 22 and finished in the left corner of the Blue Bulls try area. It was a well-worked team try and showed the Pumas intentions.  Chris Smith converted.

Specman scored his first from an intercept and ran 30 metres untouched to score. Former Hoërskool Nelspruit pupil, Marnitz Boshoff converted.

In the 23^rd minute Specman received a pass on the angle and caught the Pumas wrong-footed to score under the uprights. Boshoff missed the conversion.

Just before half time Chris Smith slotted a penalty. The visitors led 12-10.

An early second half Boshoff penalty gave the Bulls a 15-10 lead.

Ten minutes later a Boshoff clearance kick was charged down close to the Blue Bulls’ tryline and Pumas’ flanker Willie Engelbrecht claimed a try. Kobus Marais slotted the conversion to give the Pumas the lead for the first time.

A Manie Libbok penalty regained the lead for the Bulls.

Then Specman’s magic ended the Pumas’ Currie Cup hopes. He chased a grubber and dotted down on the dead-ball line for his third try. Libbok added the two points.

An easy penalty attempt on the hooter by Marais failed. The three points would have given the Pumas one bonus point.

The Pumas attempted to play expansive running rugby and knock the Blue Bulls off the park. They failed.

The Blue Bulls class and determination gave them a well-deserved win. The home team’s bogey of too many poor decisions and unforced errors continued to haunt them.