With one league round remaining before the 2026 Carling Currie Cup Premier Division play-offs, the Airlink Pumas are not yet guaranteed a place in the semi-finals.

The 38-14 loss to clinical Suzuki Griquas on Saturday, and not earning a losing bonus point, has put the Pumas under tremendous pressure to make the play-offs.

The past weekend’s penultimate round produced a significant shake-up in the standings, with the table-topping Suzuki Griquas (26 points) and second-placed Toyota Cheetahs (26) securing home-ground advantage in the semi-finals.

The Pumas are in third place on 17 points, and the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers fourth on 16.

The Lions host the Stormers on Friday night and the winner will leapfrog to third place and push the Pumas down to fourth.

The Sharks welcome the Blue Bulls, also on Friday night. If they score a bonus-point win, they will move up the log, pushing the Pumas down to fifth.

The Pumas would then have to defeat the Toyota Cheetahs on Saturday and earn a bonus point.

If they do not secure the bonus point, the Pumas will need the Griquas to win against the Kavaliers in Wellington on Sunday, or, if the Kavaliers win, not with a bonus point.

The permutations are complicated and varied; however, they will not be a factor should the Pumas defeat the Cheetahs on Saturday and earn a bonus point. This will secure third place for them on the log and a semi-final against the Cheetahs.

Griquas dominate at Mbombela Stadium

On Saturday, Suzuki Griquas produced arguably their finest display of the campaign to seal a home semi-final and underline why they remain favourites to retain the crown by beating the Airlink Pumas 38-14 at Mbombela Stadium.

The men from Kimberley struck early when Zane Bester sliced through the defensive line to finish a superb individual effort.

Matters worsened for the Pumas when Ruwald van der Merwe received a yellow card for head contact, and Griquas immediately capitalised as Tiaan Lange crossed from a driving maul.

The defending champions continued to dominate the collisions and set-piece.

Lourens Oosthuizen added a third try after another powerful line-out platform before Clinton Swart gave the hosts brief hope with a converted score shortly before half-time.

George Whitehead’s penalty goal ensured Griquas took a commanding 24-7 lead into the break.

Red card ends Pumas comeback hopes

The second half followed a similar pattern.

Gurshwin Wehr finished a sweeping attack after quick thinking from Bobby Alexander.

Dylan Maart spent time in the sin bin for head contact, allowing the Pumas to respond through Junior Banda.

However, Jan-Henning Campher’s yellow card, later upgraded to red for a dangerous clean-out, effectively ended any hopes the hosts had of making a comeback.

Bester then grabbed his second to cap a dominant afternoon for Griquas.

The Pumas were poor on the day. Ill-discipline and poor decision-making played into the hands of the rampant Griquas.

Saturday’s match between the Pumas and the Cheetahs kicks off at 14:00.