Shimlas outplay Pukke in Bloem
Shimlas scored five tries to three as they secured the bonus-point victory.
However, it was the visitors who opened the scoring. Despite two failed penalties by Pukke flyhalf Schalk Hugo, the Potchefstroom side eventually broke the duck thanks to Jimmy Mpailane's try.
The wing received a tantalising pass after some great hands by the backline as they made sure of the seven-point try. Hugo redeemed himself with a superb kick to add the extras, 9-0 after 15 minutes.
The home side hit back within a minute, thanks to Raymond Woest. The lock collected the ball from a line-out and after a successful rolling maul, burst over for the five points.
The try seemed to ignite the home team while the reigning champions' problems increased. The visitors' ill-discipline got the better of them as they went down to 13 men and conceded a penalty try with 30 minutes on the clock.
And just before halftime, Shimlas had a chance to extend their lead but unfortunately for the home team, Frederick Mason pushed his kick wide and the score remained 12-9.
Shimlas came out with full intent in the second half and their eagerness to win was soon rewarded with two tries which secured them the bonus-point.
The first came through the hardworking scrumhalf Dian Baderhosrt, who sneaked past the defence and minutes later Daniel Maartens ran from his own half to dive over for his try. Shimlas led 28-9 after 46 minutes.
Pukke were chasing the game and after five minutes of relentless pressure inside Shimlas' 22, Pukke's Muziwandile Mazibuko eventually went over. Julian Delicado added the extras as they trailed 16-28 on the hour mark.
Shimlas extended their lead in the 70th minute thanks to a great try by Albertus Erasmus, the No.8 burst over the try-line after some interchanged play by forwards Maartens and Kotze to send the big Erasmus over. Mason added the extras to stretch the lead to 35-16.
The home team was forced to finish the game with 14 men after Phumzile Maqondwana was given a yellow card. And with the numerical advantage, Pukke scored a consolation try courtesy of Morné Strydom. Delicado added the extras but it came too late as they suffered their second defeat of the campaign.
The scorers:
For Shimlas:
Tries: Woest, Penalty try, Baderhosrt, Maartens, Erasmus
Cons: Mason 3
For Pukke:
Tries: Mpailane, Mazibuko, Strydom,
Cons: Hugo, Delicado 2
Yellow cards: Louis van der Westhuizen (NWU-Pukke, 28), Chriswill September (NWU-Pukke, 30), Phumzile Maqondwana (Shimlas, 73), Raymond Woest (Shimlas, 52)
Shimlas: 15 Sechaba Motsoela, 14 Vuyani Maqina, 13 Lihleli Xoli, 12 Stephan Janse van Rensburg (captain), 11 Frederick Mason, 10 Niell Stannard, 9 Dian Badenhorst, 8 Albertus Erasmus, 7 Phumzile Maqondwana, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Jacob Immelman, 4 Raymond Woest, 3 Cornelius Kramer, 2 Hanno Snyman, 1 Johan Kotze.
Replacements: 16 Albrecht Steyn, 17 Kwenzokuhle Blose, 18 Thabisdo Msiza, 19 Ruben Schoeman, 20 Musa Mahlasela, 21 Albertus Pretorius, 22 Nicholas Naude, 23 Wilhelm Kotzenberg.
NWU-Pukke: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Jimmy Mpailane, 13 Elden Schoeman, 12 Jacob Pienaar, 11 Justin Newman, 10 Schalk Hugo, 9 Chriswill September, 8 Marno Redelinghuys, 7 Neil Morrison, 6 Marcel Henn, 5 Walt Steenkamp, 4 Jaco Swanepoel, 3 Kabelo Motloung, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen, 1 Rudolph van Deventer.
Replacements: 16 Dane van der Westhuyzen, 17 Dewald Dekker, 18 Morné Strydom, 19 Jan Venter, 20 Muziwandile Mazibuko, 21 Julian Delicado, 22 Nkululeko Mcuma, 23 Lungelo Gosa.
Referee: Lesego Legoete
Assistant referees: Local
TMO: JJ Wagner
