Reynier van Rooyen scored two tries in the 2nd game of the SuperSport Rugby Challenge against the Xerox Golden Lions in Kanyamazane on 29th April. Photo: Frans Louw

On a lovely Lowveld autumn afternoon, on April 29, the Steval Pumas welcomed the Xerox Golden Lions to the picturesque Kanyamazane Stadium for the second round of the SuperSport Rugby Challenge.

The Steval Pumas started on the front foot, forcing a 2nd minute penalty, slotted by Kobus Marais, 3-0. Following a lengthy break for medical attention to a Lions player, Arthur Bobby, and the subsequent substitution, the Xerox Golden Lions struck back with a trademark, converted, ball-in-hand try, 3-7.

Kobus Marais laced up his kicking boots again today and kicked two more penalties to take the score to 9-7.

End-to-end action eventually lead to a converted Xerox Golden Lions try in the 29th minute, 9-14.
Marais hit back with another penalty 4 minutes later, 12-14, before the Steval Pumas scored a converted ball-in-hand try of their own. Reynier van Rooyen and Kobus Marais combining for 19-14. The Xerox Golden Lions kicked a 38-minute penalty for a half-time score of 19-17.

A period of sustained Lions-pressure resulted in a converted try in the 45th minute, 19-24. A Lions penalty 9 minutes later increased the lead to 19-27, before Reynier van Rooyen crossed the whitewash again. Marais converted, 26-27. The teams traded penalties to take the score to 29-30, with 14 minutes to play. The Xerox Golden Lions extended their lead with a converted try to take the score to 29-37.

In the final minutes of the game, the Steval Pumas launched repeated attacks, but resolute defense, and a 78-minute turnover penalty, would see the Xerox Golden Lions run out 40-29 winners.

Steval Pumas coach Brent Janse van Rensburg said they were still in the game right up until the end.
“On one or two occasions, we ran the ball out of our own 22, forced play and lost possession, which put us under pressure. We did some really good things on defence. We also looked good at times with ball in hand and created opportunities that we just didn’t capitalize on. Ultimately, I think there were a few soft moments which cost us. We were still in the game right up until the end. The guys will learn some lessons out of this, hopefully bank this and grow from it,” said Janse van Rensburg.

He said the team didn’t link well enough on their kick chase, leaving a gaping hole for the Lions to run through resulting in a try and two soft 1 on 1 moments at scrum defence where the Pumas were numbered up ended up being costly. 

“Unfortunately, we lost some vital set piece ball. Losing critical lineouts in good attacking positions and conceding some scrum penalties deprived us opportunities to launch attack. Defensively we did better in the collision compared to last week and stopped their momentum well. We kept them out for extended periods, but unfortunately those isolated soft moments resulted in us giving away easy points and having to play catch up. We will need to defend a bit less in games to come and protect our possession." said Janse van Rensburg. 

Scorers: 
Pumas: Try: Reynier van Rooyen (2)
Conversion: Kobus Marais (2)
Penalty: Kobus Marais (5)
Cheetahs: Tries: Fabian Booysen (2), Shaun Reynolds, Gerrie Labuschagne
Conversions: Shaun Reynolds (4)
Penalty: Shaun Reynolds (4)

Submitted by: Kathleen Bailie / Marketing: Mpumalanga Rugby (Pty) Ltd