Airlink Pumas all set for SA Cup kick-off in George

The Airlink Pumas will face off with the SWD Eagles at Outeniqua Stadium in George on Friday March 22, in their first fixture of the inaugural SA Cup, following a fruitful preseason.

While it might not have harboured all of the success that the Mbombela outfit was hoping for, the Pumas had a good preseason in which they managed to win three of their five matches. This included a nail-biting win over the Sharks in Durban, which is a sign of great things to come this season.

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Their last preseason match came against Emirates Lions at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg on Thursday March 14, and while the Pumas put on a great display, the men from the Highveld were just a touch out of reach for the Lowvelders.

A score of 22-19 to the Lions meant the Pumas lost their final preseason match, but this will in no way dent Pumas’ spirits as they head into the brand new competition on Friday.

The SA Cup is being introduced for the first time this year, and it will give SA rugby fans a taste of what can be expected from the competition next year, when it becomes a qualifier for the Currie Cup Premier Division.

The country’s top three professional franchises – the Sharks, Lions and Blue Bulls – all have exemption from the SA Cup and do not need to qualify to play in the Currie Cup Premier Division.

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The remaining unions do need to compete in the SA Cup to ensure a place in the Currie Cup each year. This will not be the case this year, however, as the SA Cup will not count as qualifying for the Currie Cup, which will remain in its regular format for 2024. The qualifying format will only take effect from 2025 onwards.

The Pumas have already confirmed their line-up for their first SA Cup fixture against the SWD Eagles on Friday. The squad and team for the day are as follows: