The Airlink Pumas made tough work of their opening SA Cup match against the SWD Eagles in George on Friday night, March 6. After a poor first half, they got back to the basics in the second, and the rest fell into place.

It was a hard-earned SA Cup victory for the 2025 champions. The Pumas won 28-26 over a spirited Eagles side, overturning a 19-7 half-time deficit to edge a gripping opener at Outeniqua Park.

SWD set the tone early as flanker Carel du Preez muscled over after three minutes and Abner van Reenen slotted the extras. The Pumas hit back with centre Sango Xamlashe’s try and the Danrich Visagie conversion levelling matters.

Pumas hooker Gustav du Rand was then shown a yellow card for a cynical transgression to prevent the Eagles from scoring from a rolling maul in the 30th minute. The Eagles were awarded a penalty try. Their momentum held to the break as Ulrich Stander scored a try with SWD controlling territory.

After the break, the Pumas reset with accuracy and patience, resulting in flanker Ntsika Fisanti dotting down just after the restart.

Number eight Marvellous Mashimbyi broke off the back of a scrum eight metres from the try line. Fisanti kept possession from the breakdown and went through for an easy try. Visagie converted the try to cut the margin to five.

ALSO READ: IN PHOTOS: Ehlanzeni swimmers thrill at 2026 interhigh gala

A yellow card for SWD scrum half Xavier Swartbooi for a high tackle on Visagie compounded the pressure in the 48th minute. The Pumas opted to scrum eight metres from the try line from the resulting penalty. Scrum half Thomas Bursey broke to the right and passed to centre Clinton Swart, who sent a long pass out to wing Valentino Wellman to go over in the corner. Visagie expertly added the two points from a difficult angle.

In the 54th minute the Pumas sent the ball down the backline for Dalvon Blood to slice through a gap in the defence for a try. Visagie slotted the conversion.

But Heyneke Meyer’s charges refused to fade with replacement Fred Zeilinga adding composure at fly half and, after sustained multi-phase attack, wing Keanu Vers dotted down with seven minutes to go.

Zeilinga converted to set up a grandstand finish at 28-26 and although the Pumas lost replacement lock Miyelane Ngobeni to the bin, they gave a composed defensive stand in the closing minutes.

The Airlink Pumas will host the Eastern Province Elephants in the second round of the SA Cup at Mbombela Stadium on Friday, March 13. Kick-off is at 19:00.

Tickets are available at Mbombela Stadium at R50 per adult and R20 for children two to 12 years old.

Pumas scorers:
Tries: Sango Xamlashe, Valentino Wellman, Dalvon Blood, Ntsika Fisanti.
Conversions: Danrich Visagie (4).