AVBOB Griquas Women claimed their first-ever title in the provincial women's game by overcoming Hollywood Foundation Pumas Women 31-25 in the Pick n Pay Women's Super League 2 final at Mbombela Stadium on Friday.
Trailing 17-7 after 30 minutes, Griquas produced a composed second-half fightback to dethrone the defending champions, with their bench proving decisive in the closing stages.
Coach Claudia Francke, who has been building towards this moment over three years, highlighted the team's character: "We always knew we had the capabilities to make it all the way. Our girls are travelling from all over in the Northern Cape, and that resilience showed. They worked very hard for this."
Francke also spoke to the broader significance of the result: "The fact that we came here to make history was a good thing. This is a resilient team and today it showed — not only for us but for the junior structures as well."
The Pumas made a strong start, fullback Alicia Mahlalela finishing in the corner after No 8 Skhulile Mabuza had pierced the Griquas defence. Griquas responded through centre Sibabalwe Jobo, converted by fullback Inga Qogi, before inside centre Pauline Sianga produced the moment of the half — collecting the restart, selling an outrageous dummy and running 60 metres to score. Prop and Pumas captain Mbali Mzizi added a third try and a conversion pushed the home side 17-7 clear after 30 minutes.
Griquas reduced the deficit just before the break, captain Jennielee van Nel finishing after flyhalf Juanine Jacobs had broken through. Qogi's conversion made it 17-14 at the interval.
Griquas were sharper after the restart. Hooker Lindokuhle Sinaze finished smartly in the corner to edge the visitors ahead at 19-17, and Van Nel then claimed her second try — converted by Qogi — from a tapped penalty to extend the lead to 26-17 after 55 minutes.
The Pumas hit back through a second Mahlalela try to trim the deficit to four points, but replacement centre Tyrell Wilson settled the contest. Her powerful straight running disrupted the Pumas' defensive structure and she eventually worked her way over the line, giving Griquas a 31-22 cushion with 10 minutes remaining.
Winger Sandisile Mkhabela's long-range penalty pulled the Pumas back to 31-25, but Griquas' rush defence held firm through a tense final passage before referee Angie Bezuidenhout brought proceedings to a close.
Scorers — Pumas 25 (17): Tries: Mahlalela (2), Sianga, Mzizi. Conversion: Mkhabela. Penalty goal: Mkhabela. Griquas 31 (14): Tries: Van Nel (2), Sinaze, Jobo, Wilson. Conversions: Qogi (3).