The Pumas outplayed the Griffons Women by 34-7, while Griquas defeated the SWD Eagirls 27-10 to qualify for the final for the first time. The decider will be hosted for the second consecutive in Nelspruit next weekend.
Both matches were a solid reflection of the talents in the Pick n Pay WSL 2 with some telling performances at Mbombela Stadium and Suzuki Stadium helping the home sides to deserving victories. Credit to Griffons and SWD though, as they emptied their tanks in their surge to glory.
The Pumas did not have it their own way in Nelspruit, as the Griffons came to play. The first half delivered plenty of attacking opportunities, but the finishing was poor on both sides, with handling errors often the problem. The Griffons’ defence deserves some plaudits though, as they often forced the Pumas into making mistakes.
The only try of the half was scored 10 minutes in when Pumas flanker Sam Ngcobo dotted down, with Sandisile Mkhabela adding the extras, but for once the home side did not get that fast start that became a trait in their league matches.
Not so in the second half though. Two tries in quick succession by fullback Alicia Mahlalela pushed the lead up to 17 points and that brought some calmness into the home side, leading to better decision-making when in possession.
A try that started behind their goal-line then gave the Pumas a final push towards victory. Mkhabela started a counterattack and in a blink Pauline Sianga scored.
The Griffons kept trying though, with outside centre Luhle Mpiko a constant threat. They were rewarded with a try 63 minutes in, but it was too little too late from the Welkom side.
Instead, the Pumas replied with two more tries and the knowledge that they will be back om home turf defending their title next weekend.
Griquas were out of the blocks first in Kimberley when outside centre Sibabalwe Jobo finished off a counter-attack that started in the Eagirls’ half and after six minutes, they were leading 7-0.
The next quarter belonged to the Eagirls though as they dominated territory and possession but just lacked the finishing touches to make it count. The home side defended very well though, keeping out the Southern Cape attackers.
Instead, Griquas grabbed back the ascendency and again, it was their counter-attacking instincts that resulted in two tries, taking them to a 19-0 lead.
First centre Jennielee van Nel scored from a move started in their own half 25 minutes in and when flyhalf Juanine Jacobs converted, the lead was 14. Five minutes later, SA U20 lock Nonkosi Ngema scored from an attacking lineout, after a brilliant 50/22 kick by Jobo pushed her team right onto the SWD line.
Trailing 19-0, SWD had a mountain to climb in the second half, but they accepted the challenge. An early try in the half by wing Mai-Lee Matiwane started eating into Griquas’ lead and when they scored again 10 minutes from time, it was game on.
Unfortunately try-scorer Antoneica Hannies, who ran all of 40 metres to dot down, missed the conversion, but at 19-10 SWD were back in it. Griquas kicked a penalty goal four minutes later to extend their lead to 22-10 and sealed the deal when replacement prop Nicole van Wyk scored three minutes from time.
The venue, date, and kick-off time of the final will be confirmed in due course.
**Scorers:**
**Hollywood Foundation Pumas Women 34 (7), Griffons Women 7 (0)**
**Pumas** – Tries: Sam Ngcobo, Pauline Sianga, Sandisile Mkhabela, Alicia Mahlalela (2), Skhulile Mabuza. conversions: Mkhabeka (2).
**Griffons** – Try: Lemohang Maduna. Conversion: Pinky Touto.
**AVBOB Griquas Women 27 (19), SWD Eagirls 10 (0)**
**Griquas** – Tries: Nonkosi Ngema, Jennielee van Nel, Sibabalwe Jobo, Nicolene van Wyk. Conversions: Juanine Jacobs (2). Penalty goal: Inga Qogi.
**SWD** – Tries: Mia-Lee Matiwane, Antoneica Hannies.
The second half was all Griffons though. They scored three unanswered tries for a 31-21 lead. Mtshweni closed the gap to 31-28 with a try that Tinoota converted.
A crucial call for Griffons, to kick for poles when awarded a penalty, proved the difference in the end as scrumhalf Pinkie Touto's kick was successful and edged them into a 34-28 lead. Mtshweni then scored her third, but her team came up short with the missed conversion.
Griquas scored 46 points in the second half of their match against the visiting Limpopo for a massive 73-15 win, their first of the season. In all, they scored 12 tries, with wing Maserati Bangaza bagging four and prop Nicole van Wyk getting a rare hat-trick.
Bangaza opened the scoring four minutes in and Van Wyk dotted down five minutes later. Another try, by centre Jennielee van Nel, had the home side cruising at 15-0 after 11 minutes. Limpopo recovered slightly, with Seetja Mmotong getting a try, before Bangaza added a second for a 27-5 halftime lead.
Then followed the 30-minutes of rugby the Suzuki Park crowd had seen from the Griquas Women in recent times.
They scored at regular intervals to stack up their biggest score in a while. Limpopo did score the last try of the match for some consolation, but their season now seems to be heading to a disaster after three consecutive defeats.
**Scorers:**
**Leopards Women 22 (15), Hollywood Foundation Pumas Women 44 (34)**
**Leopards** – Tries: Portia Mariquele, Onie Sihlobo, Amzolele Gqola. Conversions: Gqola (2). Penalty goal: Gqola.
**Pumas** – Tries: Megan Guambe (2), Pauline Sianga (3), Alicia Mahlalela (2), Jibrine Dube. Conversions: Mahlalela (2).
**AVBOB Griquas Women 73 (27), Limpopo Blue Bulls Women 15 (5)**
**Griquas** – Tries: Nicole van Wyk (3), Siziphiwe Dubulamanzi, Donishea Cloete, Maserati Bangaza (4), Tyrell Wilson, Jennielee Van Nel, Forgiveness Mashele (2). Conversions: Jean-Marie Owies, Van Nel (3).
**Limpopo** – Tries: Seetja Mmotong, Mapula Matsimela, Amaka Mabosi.
**Valke Women 33 (21), Griffons Women 34 (12)**
**Valke** – Tries: Aviva Kaduka, Lucia Yalezwa Xosana, Noyulanda Mtshweni (3). Conversions: Kaduka (3), Evidence Tinoota.
**Griffons** – Tries: Tshepiso Mantelile, Thato Rantai (2), Mmadjadji Mohalali, Line Viviers. Conversions: Pinkie Touto (3). Penalty goal: Touto.
Source: Original report at SA Rugby.
