The Airlink Pumas got off to a shaky start in the 2026 Toyota Challenge in Bloemfontein on Friday, June 5. Black Lion defeated the Pumas 46-36 in a match in which the lead changed hands numerous times.

Simon Westraadt was a late call-up for the Mpumalanga team. Now with the Griffons, the former Pumas hooker was named on the bench. He came on early in the first half and scored two tries.

The battle among the forwards for dominance was massive with Black Lion getting the better of the Pumas in the early stages of the match.

The game was played at a fast pace with the backs making the most of the possession secured by both teams’ forwards.

Black Lion were deserved winners. When the Pumas took the lead, Black Lions hit back every time.

Black Lions held a 12-0 lead within ten minutes. The Pumas fought back to score three unanswered tries, taking a 21-12 lead by the 25th minute.

A late first-half try by Black Lion took the score to 21-20 in favour of the Pumas.

The ding-dong battle continued in the second half. In the 44th minutes Black Lion were awarded a penalty try and the Pumas’ JJ Scheepers was yellow carded for a deliberate foul.

The Pumas weathered the storm and played some of their best rugby of the match to lead 36-34 heading into the final five minutes.

But Black Lion left their best for last and ran in two tries for a hard-fought 46-36 win.

In the other matches on Friday, the Suzuki Griquas defeated Romania A 35-20, and the Toyota Cheetahs won 54-24 against the Cartrack Lusitanos.

Points scorers
Tries: Simon Westraadt (2), Darren Adonis, Thomas Bursey, Willie Engelbrecht
Conversions: Nevaldo Fleurs: 4
Penalty goals: Fleurs.