Griquas retain Currie Cup trophy after hard-fought victory against the Pumas

George Whitehead drove his team towards defending the title, the flyhalf slotting two conversions and three penalties in what eventually proved to be a close encounter.

Whitehead opened the scoring when he slotted a penalty within the opening 10 minutes, but it was the Pumas that got the game's first try through winger Darren Adonis that was converted by Clinton Swart.

Griquas then had a sustained period of pressure and it paid off when centre Mnombo Zwelendaba crossed for their first five-pointer with Whitehead adding the extras from the kicking tee.

Swart, however, slotted two penalties and it was the visitors that took a 13-10 lead into the halftime break.

Whitehead put his team in front with two penalties after the interval before Swart replied with a three-pointer of his own to make the score 16-16.

The game was on a knife-edge and it was Griquas that took their opportunity when a powerful rolling maul saw replacement hooker Janco Uys dot down the decisive try that sealed the back-to-back Currie Cup titles.