The ‘no result’ outcome of the SA Cup match between the Toyota Cheetahs and Airlink Pumas on Friday night, March 20 has made the Pumas’ mission to secure a potential home semi-final and final more difficult. Kick-off was delayed by more than an hour after a storm hit Bloemfontein. Once play finally got under way, the Pumas scored first through Gustav du Rand, converted by Clinton Swart.

The Cheetahs hit back when captain Louis van der Westhuizen drove over from a maul, with Cohen Jasper converting to make it 7-7.

In the 24th minute, players were forced off due to lightning. After a delay, the game briefly resumed and Swart kicked a penalty goal to put the Pumas 10-7 ahead, but lightning returned and the referee called the game off.

Under competition rules, it could not stand as a result, so both teams received two log points. The points scored and conceded will not be reflected on the log table, and the points scorers will not be added to the 2026 SA Cup stats.

Although only three rounds of the SA Cup have been played, the Suzuki Griquas and Sanlam Boland Kavaliers are on their way to a top-four finish.

Griquas top the log on 15 points, with the Kavaliers second, also on 15.

The Pumas are in third place with 12 points. The SWD Eagles (12 points), Nonavit Griffons (10) and Cheetahs (8) are all contenders for a top-four finish.

The Pumas’ matches against the Griquas, away on April 26, and the Kavaliers, at home on May 3, are must wins. The Mpumalanga team will have to win one to secure a possible home semi, and both to secure a potential home final. They want to play the knock-out matches at home for their loyal fans and will not be satisfied with a third- or fourth-place finish after the round-robin stage.

Six wins out of six will be what the Pumas want to give to the pink-and-grey army in the remaining league matches.

Lightning may have put a dent in the 2026 Pumas’ SA Cup campaign, but the team is prepared to strike back with a thunderous effort against the Valke, the Border Bulldogs, the Leopards, the Griquas, the Kavaliers, and the Griffons in their upcoming clashes.

The Pumas face the Valke at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday, March 29. Kick-off is at 15:00.