The Airlink Pumas put on a masterclass performance in the second half to defeat the Eastern Province 47-10 on Friday, March 13. The SA Cup match was played at Mbombela Stadium.

The first half was a scrappy affair with both teams struggling to find their rhythm.

The Pumas scored in the fifth minute. They attacked through various phases after a five-metre scrum and Sango Xamlashe broke through.

Eastern Province’s first points came off the boot of Garth April via a penalty goal.

The visitors took the lead in the 17th minute. A penalty was punted into touch and Eastern Province attacked from the line-out with Lwandile Mapuko scoring. April slotted the conversion.

Nsika Fisanti claimed a try on 32 minutes after an attacking maul. Danrich Visagie added the extras.

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Four minutes before half-time, Visagie broke through the Eastern Province defence and passed to Xamlashe, who scored his second try. Visagie kicked the conversion.

The Pumas led 19-10 at half-time, but they certainly were not firing on all cylinders.

The second half was a different story. The home team clicked and Eastern Province had no answer to the clinical and speedy attacking play.

Fisanti scored his second try, once again from a maul and Clinton Swart nailed the conversion. Six minutes later the Pumas mauled over again, giving Fisanti his third try. Swart added the two points.

With the visitors on the back foot, the Pumas turned on the afterburners.

Valentino Wellman scored from a classic backline attack, followed by a Swart conversion.

Then the Pumas scored another try from a maul with Darnell Osuagwu in possession when they went over. Swart again was dead-eyed with the conversion.

The final score: 47-10 and a deserved victory for the Pumas.

The visitors put up a brave fight but could not cope with the pace and precision of the Pumas.

It was, however, the second consecutive match in which the Pumas got off to a slow start. They face the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein tomorrow night, March 20, and will have to come out of the starting blocks from the first whistle.

After losing to the Boland Kavaliers in the first round, the Cheetahs demolished the Leopards 64-7 in Potchefstroom on Friday, March 13, scoring nine tries, and a penalty try, in the process.

It is going to be a tough match for the Pumas. If the 80-minute Pumas pitch up for the game, the match will be a close one.

The Pumas remain third on the log on 10 points. The Suzuki Griquas are on top and the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers third, also both on 10.

The Cheetahs occupy fifth place and this means that a win against the Pumas tomorrow will put them back on track to chase a top-four finish and qualify for the semi-finals.