Zander du Plessis' boot rockets Griquas to victory as Pumas' card fever bites

Griquas are finally on the board in this year's Currie Cup after unashamedly employing the booming boot of Zander du Plessis to clinch a 41-20 victory over the Pumas in Kimberley on Wednesday.

The gifted 21-year-old fromer Tuks star had an absolute ball on a surprisingly lush Hoffe Park pitch, nailing no less than eight penalty kicks at goal, the last an incredible 63m effort that flew between the uprights.

Du Plessis, employed at inside centre for this match having slotted in at flyhalf and fullback already in 2022, did have the relative luxury though of an opposition that conceded an astonishing 18 penalties in 80 minutes.

It's a statistic that will annoy Pumas mentor Jimmy Stonehouse no end, especially given the momentum his charges had following a sterling win over the Lions two weeks ago as well as a decent warm-up against Wits.

Referee Aimee Barrett-Theron dished out four yellow cards and a red to the men from Nelspruit.

Flanker Daniel Maartens' cynical collapse of an attacking maul led to a penalty try, prop Ig Prinsloo was sent to the bin for repeated infringements at the breakdown, lock Brandon Valentyn escaped a red for a tip-tackle because of the involvement of team-mate Kwanda Dimaza and centre Ali Mgijima was sanctioned for a no-arms hit.

Just to rub salt in the wound, Maartens was shown his marching orders for a second yellow in the dying stages.

Playing against 14 men for 40 minutes, it was little wonder Griquas eventually took complete control after a substandard first-half where they enjoyed a lot of possession and ascendancy but lacked the accuracy and game management to make it count.

In fact, the Pumas were eminently in the frame for much of those 40 minutes because they were able to pick off some