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Airlink Pumas tighten their grip on SA Cup final spot

Ahead of their clash with the NovaVit Griffons on Friday May 17, the Airlink Pumas are simply one win away from securing a spot in the final having defeated the Boland Kavaliers in Mbombela on May 11.

Courtesy of a resounding victory over the Boland Kavaliers, the Airlink Pumas are only a few points away from a place in the final.

The two sides locked horns at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday May 11, kicking off at 19:00. The Airlink Pumas got off to a flying start in the first half, securing the four-try bonus point before the Kavaliers could rub the dust out of their eyes. This handed them a 35-0 lead at half-time.

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The second half was a far quieter affair, with the Pumas only adding two more tries to their tally. This ensured a 49-0 victory for the Mbombela men. Fly half Clinton Swart put on another perfect performance from the kicking tee.

With six out of six conversions, his success rate for the season is now up to 95.65%. The win is the Pumas’ fourth whitewash victory of the season and marks a welcome return to winning ways after the tight loss to the Griquas the week before.

Ruwald van der Merwe finishes off the Pumas’ first try of the match against Boland. > Photo: Supplied/Pumas team photographer

It’s also a much-needed upturn in form ahead of the business end of the season where every try and every point matters as they look to bolster their points difference. The top two teams on the log qualify for the final, with first place securing hosting rights. The loss against the Suzuki Griquas on May 3 meant the Pumas were faced with a mountain to climb if they are to still host the final on May 25.

The race for top spot has been between them and the Griquas all season, with the NovaVit Griffons and Toyota Cheetahs the only two teams in the chasing pack who have looked like they could catch the trailblazers. It is perhaps a divine twist of fate, then, that the top four teams have been scheduled to play against one another this weekend.

Tino Swanepoel looks to use his fancy footwork to avoid defenders. > Photo: Supplied/Pumas team photographer

The Pumas take on the Griffons while the Cheetahs face the Griquas, both matches on Friday. The Cheetahs are the only side that can’t qualify for the final, but they do have the chance to greatly upset the apple cart. If they beat the Griquas, it cracks the door wide open for the Pumas to snatch hosting rights for the final away from the men from Kimberley.

The Griquas will play in the final regardless of the outcome of this weekend’s matches, so the only tricky part for them will be securing the rights to host the final. The equation for the Pumas is fairly simple, though – win with a bonus point and beat the Griffons by as many points as possible.

The Pumas and Griffons’ match kicks off at Mbombela Stadium on Friday May 17 at 19:00, and the Cheetahs versus Griquas game kicks off in Bloemfontein at 18:00.

Stefan Coetzee celebrates one of his two tries. > Photo: Supplied/Pumas team photographer

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Blake Linder

Blake Linder is based in Mbombela and is a Senior Journalist at the Lowvelder. He carries with him nearly a decade's worth of experience in media. He has previously worked as News Editor, but now primarily focuses on Sport News, having previously won awards for both his sports writing and photography.
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