Playmaker Clinton Swart scored 31 points as the Pumas lashed Griquas in a nine-try bonus-point victory in Nelspruit on Sunday.

Swart scored a brace of tries and enjoyed a perfect day off the kicking tee, slotting nine conversions and a penalty to guide the Pumas to a 66-26 win.

The victory – a second win against Griquas this season – sees last season’s finalists climb up to third on the overall log, tied on points with defending champions the Cheetahs.

Since suffering a 75-21 defeat to the Lions in Johannesburg, Jimmy Stonehouse’s Pumas have claimed back-to-back bonus-point wins, which has them right back into the driving seat for a playoff place.

Lock Deon Slabbert also scored a brace for the Pumas, both of his tries coming in the first half as the hosts wrapped up the four-try bonus point and took a 28-14 lead into the break.

Former Blitzboks star Darren Adonis scored twice in the second half and was joined on the scoresheet by fullback Stefan Coetzee, as the Pumas sealed the result by the hour mark.

Griquas did manage to come away with a four-try bonus point of their own, with Cameron Hufke and Thomas Bursey scored in the first half, before another former Blitzbok, Sako Makata, and wing Connor Mahoney dotted down in the second half.

Next up for the Pumas is the return match against the Sharks at home – having decisively won in Durban – while Griquas will host the Lions.

Photo: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images