The Airlink Pumas must win the match against the Griffons at Mbombela Stadium on Friday night to secure a home semi-final in the 2026 SA Cup. Four log points in the final league round of the competition would guarantee them second place on the log.

The Pumas defeated the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers in a thriller at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday, May 1. This win secured them a place in the 2026 Currie Cup.

The lead changed hands seven times during the match and the teams were never separated by more than seven points.

The Kavaliers executed an excellent game plan against the Pumas, running the ball at every opportunity. The home team battled on defence against this tactic, but dug deep for a well-deserved victory.

It took just two minutes for the Kavaliers to score. Hooker, Sidney Tobias, powered his way over for a try from recycled ball after an attacking maul near the try line. Fullback Jaydon Banton slotted the conversion.

The Pumas hit back with a try from flanker Ruwald van der Merwe. The home team were mauling towards the try line and Van der Merwe received the ball on the blindside to score. Clinton Swart added the extra points.

The Pumas took the lead for the first time when Swart launched an up-and-under. Lundi Msenge contested the aerial ball to allow Sango Xamlashe to regain possession and pass to André Fouché, who off-loaded to Msenge for a well-worked try. Swart took the score to 14-7.

In the 26th minute the Kavaliers’ centre Lunathi Nxele found a gap in the defence and passed to scrum half Louis Schreuder who went over for the try. Banton’s conversion took the score to 14-14.

The Pumas defence was exposed again five minutes later. Banton cut through for a 60m sprint and scored a brilliant individual try.

The half time score was 19-14 in favour of the visitors.

The Pumas regained the lead early in the second half. Hooker Gustav du Rand scored from a rolling maul with Swart converting the try.

The Kavavaliers were rewarded for high-risk rugby a few minutes later. The ball went deep on a Kavaliers line-out throw on the Pumas five-metre line. Replacement prop Dayan van der Westhuizen was the receiver and powered over for a try which was not converted.

In the 57th minutes Du Rand duplicated his first try from an attacking maul and Swart added the two points for a 28-24 lead.

Sauleigh Arendse regained the lead for the visitors on 62 minutes. The Kavaliers took a tap penalty five metres from the try line and the burly flank went over. Banton converted and the Boland team led 31-28.

Swart kicked a penalty goal with 10 minutes remaining to even up the score.

In the 76th minute the Pumas were awarded a five-metre scrum. The ball came out and replacement scrum half Conor van Eden passed blindside for the waiting Swart who scored a leg-pumping power try. He slotted the conversion to secure a 38-31 win.

It was a game the home fans will remember for a long time. The Pumas made too many errors and showed defensive weakness, but when it counted they stood up and secured the win.

The Kavaliers came to fight for the win. It was a brave effort but they just fell short.