The Down Touch Griffons can keep their heads up high though, as they showed good endeavour and determination, only to be outplayed by a more skilled side on the night.
The smooth-running South American backs were the difference, especially in the first half, when they scored the two tries that proved decisive.
Their flyhalf, Domingo Miotti, had the Argentineans up early with a penalty goal from close range, although that lead was short-lived.
The Down Touch Griffons came back with a burst of their own into the red zone of the Jaguares XV, who went offside on defence, and Robbie Petzer (flyhalf) slotted the penalty goal to draw scores level.
Jaguares No 8, Santiago Montagner, followed up strong play by his pack from the kick-off and scored, but the effort was ruled out by the TMO due to a double movement.
The pressure did not subside though as the Northern Free Staters’ flanker Jean-Jacques Pretorius was yellow carded for collapsing a maul. The Jaguares XV used the numbers game and it was Tomas Cubilla (winger) who benefitted from the man-over, dotting down on the right hand side of the field. The conversion was good and the lead 10-3.
The Welkom men came back with some determination though and from a break-out by Duan Pretorius (fullback) Jaguares XV flanker Francisco Gorrissen was yellow-carded as he tried to stop the flow of the attack while off his feet. Petzer made no mistake from close range, taking the points on offer.
A lack of concentration by the Down Touch Griffons cost them on the half hour mark. Facundo Cordero (fullback) ghosted past numerous defenders on the counter-attack to score under the posts and extend the Jaguares XV’s lead again.
Petzer missed a fairly easy penalty as the Down Touch Griffons went via his boot to score as the Jaguares defence remained strong.
The second half was a hard-fought affair. The visitors from Welkom found some cohesion on attack and kept the ball well at times, but could not find the openings needed.
The Jaguares XV were punished for their spoiling tactics on defence though and Santiago Portillo (lock) was binned for repeated offences by his team. The Down Touch Griffons lost their lineout and the Argentineans drove 50 meters upfield.
They kept their ball and five minutes later were awarded a penalty try as the visitors tried to spoil yet another attacking move by the Jaguares XV. This pushed the lead out to 24-7, but a try by Down Touch Griffons No 8 Cody Basson gave his side a glimmer of hope, especially as Petzer converted.
Miotti kicked another penalty though to extend the lead to two converted tries again, and that is how it finished.
Scorers:
Jaguares XV 27 (17) – Tries: Tomas Cubilla, Facundo Cordero, Penalty Try. Conversions: Domingo Miotti (2). Penalty goals: Miotti (2).
Down Touch Griffons 13 (6) – Try: Cody Basson. Conversion: Robbie Petzer. Penalty goals: Petzer (2).
