The Airlink Pumas face an uphill battle to qualify for the semi-finals after suffering their second consecutive defeat in the 2026 Carling Currie Cup.

The Fidelity ADT Lions produced a polished attacking display on Saturday, July 25, to open their account for the season.

They outscored the Pumas by seven tries to four at Ellis Park for a 52-29 triumph.

The Pumas lacked cohesion and discipline. Every time the visitors stepped up a gear, the Lions stepped up two.

Visitors stay close in tight first half

Although the Pumas enjoyed plenty of early possession and opened the scoring through a Danrich Visagie penalty goal, the Lions responded with purpose.

Centre Likhona Finca crossed for the hosts’ opening try before flanker Jarod Cairns powered over for the first of his two tries.

The visitors stayed in touch through tries by lock JJ Scheepers and flanker De Wet Marais, reducing the half-time deficit to just four points at 21–17.

Hosts pull away after break

A pivotal moment came when Pumas wing Dalvon Blood received a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on, resulting in a penalty try for the hosts.

Shortly thereafter, Lions prop Morgan Naudé was also yellow-carded for repeated infringements.

The second period undeniably belonged to the hosts. Cairns grabbed his second try before fullback Latica Nela and centre Rynhardt Jonker crossed in quick succession to stretch the lead beyond reach.

Replacement scrumhalf Conor van Eden kept the Pumas in contention with a well-worked try, but Sam Francis’ accurate kicking and a second Nela touchdown ensured a comprehensive victory.

Thabo Ndimande and Troy Delport were both yellow-carded in the closing stages as the Pumas’ discipline faltered.

Pumas target Boland Kavaliers next

The Pumas are seventh on the log table with three points.

They will play the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers at Boland Stadium, Wellington, at 15:00 on Sunday, August 2.