The Airlink Pumas won the 2022 Carling Currie Cup after winning an away semi-final and an away final. They will have to do the same in 2023 if they want to retain the title.

The Pumas travel to Durban on Friday June 16 to face the Cell C Sharks. The match is scheduled to kick off at 17:30 on Saturday June 17 at Hollywoodbets King’s Park.

The other semi-final, between the Toyota Cheetahs and the Vodacom Blue Bulls, will be played at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, starting at 15:00 on Saturday June 17.

Should the Pumas and the Cheetahs win, the final will be played in Bloemfontein. If the Pumas and the Bulls win, the final will take place in Mbombela.

But the Cell C Sharks are the overwhelming favourites to win the semi against the Airlink Pumas. They have home ground advantage and have defeated the Mpumalanga team twice this season, 19-12 in Durban on April 7 and 24-22 in Mbombela on May 12.

The Mpumalanga team captain, Shane Kirkwood, is not phased by the two losses to the Sharks.

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“In the second game they beat us in the 81st minute. But we know where we went wrong and learned from our errors. We won’t do too much different. We will stick to out game plan and structures. We are confident,” said Kirkwood.

It has been a long, hard season and the spirit in the players’ camp is high. We are excited about Saturday’s game. Like always we will give our all to win, and qualify for the final”.

Kirkwood has captained the team this season after the departure of Willie Engelbrecht last season.

“It is a massive honour to lead the Pumas. They are an easy going group of players and every one is a leader on the field and his position. It makes my job easy.”

The lock forward is hoping to secure a home final (if the Blue Bulls and Pumas win) for their faithful supporters.

“Thank you to each and every Pumas’ fan for your support. Every person in the stand, every kid who asks for an autograph – it means so much to us. Also thank you to all the sponsors who always back us. Without you we cannot do what we do,” said Kirkwood.

Cell C Sharks

1. Khwezi Mona
2. Fez Mbatha
3. Khutha Mchunu
4. Corne Rahl
5. Reniel Hugo (c)
6. James Venter
7. Vincent Tshituka
8. Henco Venter
9. Bradley Davids
10. Lionel Cronje
11. Aphelele Fassi
12. Alwayno Visagie
13. Murray Koster
14. Yaw Penxe
15. Nevaldo Fleurs.
16. Kerron van Vuuren
    17. Ntuthuko Mchunu
    18. Carlu Sadie
    19. Ockie Barnard
    20. Marco de Witt
    21. Sikhumbuzo Notshe
    22. Tiaan Fourie
    23. Curwin Bosch

Airlink Pumas

1. Corné  Fourie
2. 2. PJ Jacobs
3. Simon Raw
4. Deon Slabbert
5. Shane Kirkwood (c)
6. André  Fouché
7. Franna Kleinhans
8. Kwanda Dimaza
9. Chriswill September
10. Tinus de Beer
11. Etienne Taljaard
12. Ali Mgijima
13. Diego Appolis
14. Andrew Kota
15. Devon Williams
    16.Darnell Osuagwu
    17. Etienne Janeke
    18. Dewald Maritz
    19. Malembe Mpofu
    20. Ruwald van der Merwe
    21. Giovan Snyman
    22. Gene Willemse
    23. Wian van Niekerk

Referee: Marius Van der Westhuizen