Griquas Women have won their first-ever provincial title, defeating defending champions Pumas Women 31-25 in the Pick n Pay Women's Super League 2 final at Mbombela Stadium on Friday.
Trailing 17-14 at halftime, Griquas produced a clinical second-half display — driven significantly by their bench — to overturn the deficit and deny the Pumas back-to-back titles.
The Pumas set the tone early, with fullback Alicia Mahlalela finishing in the corner after No 8 Skhulile Mabuza had broken the line. Griquas responded through centre Sibabalwe Jobo, with fullback Inga Qogi converting for a 7-5 lead, before Pumas inside centre Pauline Sianga produced the moment of the half — collecting the restart and beating the Griquas defence with a dummy and a 60-metre solo effort. Prop and captain Mbali Mzizi extended the Pumas' advantage to 17-7 after 30 minutes, before Griquas captain Jennielee van Nel finished off a break by flyhalf Juanine Jacobs to make it 17-14 at the break.
Griquas came out sharper after halftime. Hooker Lindokuhle Sinaze scored to give them a 19-17 lead, and Van Nel crossed for her second after Griquas tapped a penalty and kept the ball alive through multiple phases, with Qogi converting to stretch the lead to 26-17 on 55 minutes.
Mahlalela's second try pulled the Pumas back to within four, but replacement centre Tyrell Wilson proved the difference after coming off the bench, her direct running drawing penalties and errors from the Pumas defence that allowed Griquas to seal the 31-25 victory.
Coach Claudia Francke described the win as the product of three years of deliberate building. "We always knew we had the capabilities to make it all the way," she said. "Our girls are travelling from all over in the Northern Cape, and that resilience showed."
Francke also spoke to the broader significance of the result for women's rugby in the Northern Cape. "This will impact back home, not only for us but the junior structures as well — it is where it starts."