The Airlink Pumas kept their hopes of a Carling Currie Cup semi-final alive with a victory over DHL Western Province on Saturday, August 30.
In a gripping evening clash at DHL Stadium, the Airlink Pumas staged a successful second-half comeback to secure a bonus-point victory in a game of two distinct halves.

WP started with a bang, as lock Connor Evans crashed over for the opening try in the first minute, converted by flyhalf Kyle Smith. The match then settled into a tough forward battle and later Smith added a penalty goal to give the hosts a 10-0 lead.

Just before the half-time hooter, Pumas loose forward André Fouché scored a vital try from a powerful maul, with Clinton Swart converting to narrow the deficit to 10-7 at the break.

The second half belonged to the Pumas. Swart levelled the scores with a penalty goal kick, before lock Tiaan de Klerk and outside centre Sango Xamlashe each scored tries, while Swart slotted one conversion.

ALSO READ: Mbombelan seals second European Masters title in style

As the Pumas built a comfortable lead, both teams traded penalty goals, taking the score to 25-13.

The men from Mpumalanga sealed the bonus point 10 minutes before the end through wing Darren Adonis, with Swart converting.

They added one more score when replacement prop Junior Banda smashed his way over for a try in the last minute.

The Suzuki Griquas top the log with 25 points from five wins in six games. They are followed by the Kavaliers, who have 23 points. The third-placed Fidelity ADT Lions and fourth-placed Toyota Cheetahs are both on 21 points.

The Pumas are in fifth place on 20 points.
Their chance of qualifying for the semi-finals are slim. The Pumas must win against the Hollywoodbets Sharks with a bonus point. But other results will also determine their fate.

The match that will be vital to the Pumas’ final log position will be between the Lions and the Griquas. The Lions must lose with or without a bonus point. Should this not occur, either the Kavaliers must lose against Western Province and be denied a bonus point, or the Cheetahs must lose against the Bulls without a bonus point.

If the Kavaliers, Cheetahs and Lions all win, the Pumas will end fifth on the log and their Currie Cup season will be over.

The Pumas face the Sharks in Durban on Friday night, September 5 and the other three matches will take place on Saturday, September 6.

Hollywoodbets Sharks
1. Phatu Ganyane
2. Fez Mbatha
3. Lee-Marvin Mazibuko
4. Batho Hlekani
5. Emile van Heerden
6. Manu Tshituka
7. Vincent Tshituka (c)
8. Phepsi Buthelezi
9. Jaden Hendrikse
10. Siya Masuku
11. Paschal Ekeji
12. Francois Venter
13. Diego Apollis
14. PK Sobahle
15. Yaw Penxe
Replacements
16. Jacques Marais
17. Dian Bleuler
18. Mawande Mdanda
19. Deon Slabbert
20. Nick Hatton
21. Ceano Everson
22. Jean Smith
23. Jaco Williams

Airlink Pumas

1. Dewald Maritz
2. Eduan Swart
3. Sampie Swiegers
4. Hanno Theunissen
5. Tiaan de Klerk
6. Ntika Fisanti
7. Ruwald van der Merwe
8. Willie Engelbrecht (c)
9. Ross Braude
10. Clinton Swart
11. Darren Adonis
12. Wian van Niekerk
13. Sango Xamlashe
14. Lundi Msenge
15. Stefan Coetzee

Reserves

16. Darnelle Osuagwu
17. Etienne Janeke
18. Junior Banda
19. JJ Scheepers
20. André Fouché
21. Russwill Fredericks
22. Danrich Visagie
23. Andrew Kota.