Hollywoodbets Sharks edge Airlink Pumas in Currie Cup opener at Mbombela Stadium
Lyle Matthews scores a first-half hat-trick as the visitors withstand a fierce late surge in Mbombela.
A thrilling second-half fightback fell just short for the Airlink Pumas as they opened their 2026 Carling
Currie Cup campaign with a 26–24 loss to the Hollywoodbets Sharks on Friday, July 17.
The Pumas performed poorly in the first half, with Sharks’ debutant Lyle Matthews on fire.
The Pumas scored the first try of the competition. Jay-cee Nel made a break and passed to Lundi Msenge, who dotted down in the right corner. Nevaldo Fleurs missed the conversion attempt.
Matthews shines with first-half hat-trick
Midway through the half, the Matthews show ignited. He scored a try in the left corner in the 22nd minute, which was converted by Tim Swiel.
Six minutes later, he went over again in the left corner. Swiel’s conversion attempt was off target.
At half-time, Matthews scored his third try, once again in the left corner. This time Swiel nailed the extra two points.
The visitors led 19–5 at half-time.
It took just five minutes for the Sharks to extend their lead in the second half.
Kerron van Vuuren claimed the five points and Swiel the two.
The Pumas were 21 points behind, and it seemed an embarrassing home defeat might be on the cards for the Mpumalangans.
Pumas spark second-half fightback
In the 54th minute, debutant and replacement hooker Chyle van Zyl scored a try within a few minutes of coming on. The Pumas punted a penalty into touch, won the lineout and mauled over. Fleurs sent the conversion wide.
The five-pointer ignited the Pumas, and they were the better team for the rest of the match.
Tino Swanepoel scored a try in the 65th minute, diving over in Matthews’s favourite left corner. Fleurs slotted the conversion.
JJ Scheepers finished off a Pumas attack, which began with a lineout on the halfway line. Fleurs’ conversion took the Pumas to within two points of the Sharks.
But the KwaZulu-Natalians held out for the last 15 minutes. They set the foundation for victory in the first half and deserved the win.
The Pumas have suffered from poor-first-half syndrome in past seasons and will have to up their game if they want to be contenders for the title.
The Fidelity ADT Lions will host the Airlink Pumas at Ellis Park on Saturday, July 25 at 15:00.
