It all came together for the Airlink Pumas at Windhoek Draught Park in Kimberley on Saturday June 25 during the 80 minutes they battled against the Windhoek Draught Griquas in the Carling Currie Cup final.

The Mpumalanga team united in a polished performance to win the final 26-19. In a season in which it did not always go their way, it was a remarkable effort.

The Pumas’ Achilles heel this season was lack of discipline and poor decision-making. They received 18 yellow cards during their matches before the final. When they seemed in control of matches, unintelligent play cost them victory.

But on Saturday the 23 players were sublime in the execution of their game plan. No yellow cards were given. Passing was slick, defence tight and tactics solid and yes, a bit of luck went their way. “We knew it was going to be an 80-minute fight. We mentally prepared ourselves and came out firing,” captain Willie Engelbrecht told Lowvelder.

The Pumas lost twice to the Griquas prior to the final, 41-10 in Kimberley on February 2 and 45-44 in Mbombela on June 10, just 22 days before the final. They had conceded nine tries to the Griquas in 160 minutes of rugby. But the Pumas were not going to repeat the same errors.

“Our skills were tested a lot on the training field (in the week leading up to the final). The coaches put us through a lot of drills. We were made to keep our discipline when mentally and physically tired. The players who knew they were not going to be in the match squad made us better because they brought their super-A game to the training field and put us under pressure. All credit to the coaches who had the insight to prepare our mental strength,” said Engelbrecht.

The Pumas made 79 tackles in the match; the Griquas made 60.

The action from the 46th minute to the 56th minute was a period of play which defined the match. The Pumas were leading 19-9.

Firstly a reversed penalty led to Engelbrecht’s try.

Then, nine minutes later, with the Griquas attacking in the Pumas’ 22-metre area, Eduan Swart won a penalty two metres from the Pumas’ try line.

“We did not let them score. They played 24 phases, but battled to gain an inch. When Eduan won the turnover penalty it moved the game further into our favour,” said Engelbrecht.

“We made a decision that we would be disciplined on the field. The Pumas’ defence was brilliant in Kimberley. At one stage we defended 24 phases and just kept on tackling. At that stage I knew we were going to beat them,” said coach Jimmy Stonehouse.
In the latter stages of the second half the Griquas came at the Pumas with everything they had. They trailed by seven with 21 minutes remaining.

The home team scored three points during that last quarter of the game. The visitors were not going to budge. The defended with fury and made the correct decisions to repel the opposition.

Stonehouse had only praise for the coaching staff.

“The coaching staff focused on the positives. The negatives of the pressure of a final were never an issue. There were a lot of young players in the final squad and they way the coaches worked with them to prepare for Kimberley was crucial to what happened on the field during the match,” said Stonehouse.

The players selected to warm the bench added fire to the Pumas when they ran onto the field.

“The replacements made in the semi-final and final worked very well. The players were amazing. Any of the reserves could have been in the starting line-up,” he said.

The sponsors are a vital cog in the Pumas’ engine.

“The sponsors are great; they deliver. To the sponsors, thank you. Going forward with you we will be successful,” said Stonehouse.

He has coached the Pumas for 11 years since 2007, in two stints.

“The Pumas’ journey has been amazing for me. I love the team with all my heart. I always said I would never leave the Pumas until we play in a

Currie Cup final. Now this has happened. I have a contract until 2026 so my home it at the Pumas,” said Stonehouse.

The Pumas coach spoke about one of the lesser-known, but vital, members of the support staff.

“You cannot go without the glory of God. And that is what Pr Jacques Goosen brings to the team. Every week he is there; there are no (financial) incentives for him. He brings the Word of the Lord. He teaches the players about discipline and values and what life is about. He means so much to the players and coaching staff. I want to thank him from my heart,” said Stonehouse.

The coach insisted on mentioning the Pumas CEO, Marius van Rensburg. “He has brought so much to the team since taking over. This man is amazing.. Thank you, Marius, for being my friend and being there for me – always. This cup belongs to Marius.”

Engelbrecht will join the Stormers on August 1 after playing 72 matches and scoring 14 tries for the Pumas “The Pumas will always mean a lot to me. They gave me my breakthrough. I will always be thankful to them,” he said.

Engelbrecht had a special few words for his father, Buks, who died in 2020. “My dad is my role model. He will always be, even if he is in Heaven now. He taught me to keep on fighting, no matter what. If he had been there on Saturday, he would have been very proud of me. Each and every day I try to make him proud, my wife proud and my child proud.”

Scorers
Windhoek Draught Griquas
Try: Munier Hartzenberg.
Conversion: George Whitehead.
Penalties: Whitehead (4).

Airlink Pumas
Tries: Devon Williams, Eduan Swart, Willie Engelbrecht.
Conversion: Eddie Fouché.
Penalties: Fouché (3).

• Stonehouse, his provincial management team and seven players flew to Gqeberha on Monday.

He is coaching a 30-man Carling Champions Team that will face Italy A at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.

The team is made up of Carling Currie Cup players from around the country, as voted for by their fans.

Dewald Maritz, Shane Kirkwood, Engelbrecht and Devon Williams of the Airlink Pumas will be on the bench for the game.

Their provincial teammates, Eduan Swart, Andries Fouché and Alwayno Visagie, are additional players in the squad as cover should any of the match 23 be unable to play.