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Pukke hold off brave Wits

Potchefstroom - Log-leaders Pukke were forced to work hard for their 16-8 victory over winless Wits in a wet Potchefstroom on Monday.

The hard-fought win sees Pukke maintain their spot at the top of the standings, whilst Wits’ losing streak extended to 13 games, which leaves them rooted to the bottom of the table.

The teams went into the first strategy break still deadlocked at 0-0, although Pukke had the better of both territory and possession in the opening 20 minutes.

The home side won a tighthead just after the break, with hooker Jacques Vermaak eventually forcing his way over for the opening try to go into a 8-0 lead.

Wits were struck a further blow shortly afterwards when inside centre Brent Crossley was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle.

Pukke took their 8-0 lead into the half-time break.

The hosts made a determined start to the second half as they looked to build on their lead, with Obi and fullback Sylvian Mahuza making a few telling runs.

Pukke got their second try just after the second strategy break when flank Philip de Wet combined with No.8 Rhyk Welgemoed to score under the posts, but Wits responded immediately as fullback Ruhan Nel pounced to cut the home side’s lead to 16-8.

That set up a tense final 15 minutes, with both teams giving it everything with the game in the balance, but Pukke were able to hold on  for a tough win in the end.

Scorers:

Pukke - 18: Tries: Vermaak, De Wet; Conversions: Engelbrecht (2)
Wits - 6: Try: Nel Conversion: Davids

Yellow Card: Brent Crossley (Dangerous tackle, 27 mins)

Teams:

Pukke: 15 Sylvain Mahuza, 14 Edmar Marais, 13 Hoffman Maritz, 12 Adriaan Engelbrecht, 11 Luther Obi, 10 Johnny Welthagen, 9 Tiaan Dorfling (captain), 8 Rhyk Welgemoed, 7 Robey Labuschagne, 6 Philip de Wet, 5 Francois Robbertse, 4 Peet van der Walt, 3 Lhlanhla Ngcamu, 2 Jacques Vermaak, 1 Mashudu Mafela

Substitutes: 16 Marius Fourie, 17 Johan Smith, 18 Daniel Jordaan, 19 Jaco Buys, 20 Dillon Smit, 21 Rhyno Smith, 22 Lucian Cupido, 23 Elardus Venter

Wits: 15 Ruhan Nel, 14 Mandla Dube, 13 Divan Ferguson, 12 Brent Crossley, 11 Riaan Arends, 10 Ashlon Davids, 9 Mathew Torrance, 8 Jason Fraser, 7 Senna Esterhuizen, 6 J.P. Jonck, 5 Rendani Ramovha, 4 Devin Montgomery (captain), 3 Gideon Muller, 2 Ashley Kohler, 1 Hannes Ludick

Substitutes: 16 James Marx, 17 Kyle Wood, 18 Conor Brockschmidt, 19 Peter van Biljon, 20 Joshua Jarvis, 21 Ish Nkolo, 22 Joshua Jarvis, 23 Ferdinand Kelly
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