Flyhalf Danrich Visagie scored 24 points on Friday night to spearhead the Pumas to a bonus-point win in Nelspruit, where Griquas paid the price for three yellow cards.
The lead changed hands seven times in a breathless first half of the 2025 Currie Cup opener before the 2022 champions raced away in the second to win 49-28, punishing a Griquas side that lost both halfbacks – Caleb Abrahams and George Whitehead – to the sin bin, along with winger Gershwin Wehr.
READ: Visagie leads Lions revenge mission
Visagie scored one of the Pumas’ six tries and booted five conversions and three penalties from the tee, while the visitors crossed three times in reply.
Sango Xamlashe and Eddie Swart also dotted down in a frantic first half, giving the hosts a narrow 25-23 advantage at the break, with Whitehead keeping Griquas in the hunt through a try, two conversions and three penalties.
But once the dam wall broke, the flood followed.
Wiaan van Niekerk, JJ Scheepers and Darren Adonis added second-half tries as the Pumas romped clear, sealing a statement win to kick off their Currie Cup campaign in style.
ALSO: Boland without Bok for Cheetahs clash
In round 2, the Pumas travel to Bloemfontein to battle the Cheetahs while Griquas host Boland.
Photo: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images
