It was the stuff dreams are made of this weekend as another great Carling Currie Cup season came to an end, with the Airlink Pumas making history by winning the coveted gold trophy for the first time in Kimberley on Saturday, after the Down Touch Griffons had ended a perfect season with victory in the First Division final in Welkom on Friday.

It was fairy-tale ending to the season for the team from Mpumalanga, who travelled to the Northern Cape as underdogs but ended up defeating Windhoek Draught Griquas by 26-19 in a pulsating final.

The men from Mpumalanga outscored their hosts by three tries to one to deservedly claim the crown that they had never worn before.

And on Friday in Welkom, the Down Touch Griffons made it 11 from 11 when they beat Eastern Province by 45-16 to lift the First Division trophy for the first time since 2017.

https://www.springboks.rugby/news-features/articles/2022/06/25/airlink-pumas-make-carling-currie-cup-history-in-kimberley/" rel="nofollow - Composed Airlink Pumas re-write Carling Currie Cup history

The Airlink Pumas emerged as the Cinderella men of the Carling Currie Cup’s modern era when they pipped Windhoek Draught Griquas 26-19 in a momentous final in Kimberley on Saturday afternoon to clinch their first title.

In a historic battle of ultimate underdogs, the visitors maximised their maiden finals appearance by outscoring the hosts by three tries to one in front of a capacity crowd of 8,500 to capture the crown jewel of South African rugby.

The Airlink Pumas class of 2022, captained by flanker Willie Engelbrecht, seized the day with a heroic performance to cap a fairy-tale season under long-time coach Jimmy Stonehouse.

The two spirited unions, who defied the odds to reach the decider, largely stuck to what brought them to the doorstep of destiny, playing high-octane rugby after a nervy first 20 minutes in a final unlike any other in the history of the oldest provincial rugby competition in the world.

The Lowvelders’ temperament formed the foundation of their triumph, which was powered by superior execution, finishing and defence. Their sharpness on attack and powerful driving maul saw them score two unanswered tries, which helped them take an 18-9 lead into the break, with the hosts managing just three penalty goals via the boot of George Whitehead.

The lead grew to 17 before the Peacock Blues produced a fightback, which was sparked by a scintillating try by Munier Hartzenberg in the 57th minute. A late monster penalty goal from Whitehead, who’d also converted his wing’s try, gave Windhoek Draught Griquas a chance to force the final into extra time with a last-gasp converted try.

However, it never came as the Airlink Pumas held on. With their historic victory, the unheralded men in pink and grey rose from undesirable to undeniable on what will live on in Carling Currie Cup lore as the Nelspruit union’s greatest day.

Scorers:

Windhoek Draught Griquas 19 (9) – Try: Munier Hartzenberg. Conversion: George Whitehead. Penalty goals: Whitehead (4).

Airlink Pumas 26 (18) – Tries: Devon Williams, Eduan Swart, Willie Engelbrecht. Conversion: Eddie Fouche. Penalty goals: Eddie Fouche (3).

https://www.springboks.rugby/news-features/articles/2022/06/24/down-touch-griffons-end-perfect-season-with-final-victory/" rel="nofollow - Down Touch Griffons end perfect season with final victory

The Down Touch Griffons ended their 2022 season in perfect fashion with a commanding 45-16 win over Eastern Province at HT Pelatona Projects Stadium in Welkom on Friday, to claim the Carling Currie Cup First Division title.

The home side managed the victory with a strong first half performance, which saw them take a 28-11 lead at the break, never allowing the Eastern Cape visitors to settle down in a cool, but sunny Welkom.

The Down Touch Griffons outscored EP by five tries to two, reflecting their dominance, especially at scrum time and with a backline that fired on all cylinders. Four of the five tries came via the backs, with winger Gurshwin Wehr getting a brace, while No 8 Soso Xakalashe benefitted from a strong lineout drive.

Scorers:

Down Touch Griffons 45 (28) – Tries: Dommenic Smit, Soso Xakalashe, Gurshwin Wehr (2), Marquit September. Conversions: Jaywinn Juries (3), Duan Pretorius. Penalty goals: Juries (4).

Eastern Province 16 (11) – Tries: Rodney Damons, Mbembe Payi. Penalty goals: Garrick Mattheus (2).