The Airlink Pumas were haunted by their old bogeys, poor decision-making and unforced errors in the loss to DHL Western Province last night.

The Carling Currie Cup match was played at Mbombela Stadium.

Pumas fly half Eddie Fouché had a nightmare match. He missed 10 points in conversions and penalties, failed to kick a penalty into touch, kicked into touch on a restart and conceded a penalty for holding onto the ball in a tackle with the Pumas just metres from the try line.

But Western Province were the deserving victors. After losing to the Pumas at DHL Stadium, they came to Mbombela with a point to prove. They were hungry and the better team.

Godlen Masimela and Johan Fouché scored for Province and Timothy Swiel converted Masimela’s try to give the visitors a 12-0 lead after 17 minutes.

Eduan Swart scored the Pumas’ first try in the 19th minute and Corné Fourie went over the try line for them in the 27th minute.

Sergeal Peterson scored Western Province’s third try three minutes later.

Province’s Ben-Jason Dixon was yellow-carded for a professional foul on the half-time hooter.

The half-time score was 20-10 in favour of Western Province. They played exceptionally well and the Pumas battled with the visitors’ pace and precision.

The second half started badly for the Pumas when Anele Lungisa was yellow-carded for a high tackle shortly after the restart.

The visitors’ Ernst van Rhyn received a yellow card shortly after Lungisa and Dixon returned to the field.

The Pumas were keen to attack with a one-man advantage.

Scrum half Chriswell September scored in the 60th minute. He broke from a five-metre scrum and reached over the line in a tackle. Fouché converted. It was his first successful kick of the match.

In the 79th minute the Pumas attacked from deep within their own half when the floodlights went out. They came on eight minutes later and play resumed with a  Pumas penalty close to the Western Province try line.

The visitors held out for a win and four log points.

The Airlink Pumas were awarded one losing margin log point. They remain in fifth place.