Pumas Over-40 side gains valuable IPT experience

The Action Sports Mpumalanga Pumas Over-40 men’s team showed determination and fighting spirit as they took on some of the country’s top provincial sides during the Inter Provincial Tournament (IPT) 2026 Overs event held at the U-Pro Action Sports Atterbury Arena from May 12 to 16.

May 27, 2026

Kerry Bird 2 minutes read

man bowls in indoors cricket — Jacobus Nagel bowls in the Inter Provincial Tournament (IPT) Overs event for the Action Sports Mpumalanga Pumas over-40s men's team. Photo: Supplied DESCRIPTION: Jacobus Nagel bowling.

The Action Sports Mpumalanga Pumas over 40’s men team faced a challenging week of competition during the Inter Provincial Tournament (IPT) Overs event held at the U-Pro Atterbury Action Sports Arena from May 12 to 16.

Managed by Bianca Lubbe, the Pumas competed against nine top provincial teams, including Western Province, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Gauteng Titans, Northern Gauteng Bulls, West Gauteng, Mpumalanga Eagles, Free State, Gauteng East and North West Nights.

Although the Pumas were unable to register a win, the side continued to fight hard in every fixture against experienced opposition.

The tournament opened with a tough clash against the Northern Gauteng Titans, who secured a 97 (4 skins) to -31 (0 skins) victory.

North West Nights followed with a 90 (4 skins) to 2 (0 skins) win over the Pumas, while the West Gauteng proved dominant with an 114 (4 skins) to -22 (0 skins) result.

a cricket team — The Action Sports Mpumalanga Pumas over 40’s men team were Barend Kriel, Jannis Kruger, Michael Hobkirk (captain), Petrus Matthee, Jacobus Nagel and Francois van der Walt (vice captain) at the back, with Johan Naudé, Victor Potter, Neels Grobler, Bianca Lubbe (team manager), Chris Vermeulen and Sydney Stewart in front. Udien Govinder was absent when the photo was taken. Photo: Supplied

Western Province delivered one of the strongest performances of the tournament, defeating the Pumas 150 (4 skins) to -26 (0 skins).

KwaZulu-Natal edged ahead with a 102 (3 skins) to 55 (1 skin) victory before the Mpumalanga Eagles recorded a 125 (4 skins) to -20 (0 skins) win.

The Free State side defeated the Pumas 89 (4 skins) to 29 (0 skins), while Gauteng East claimed a 95 (3 skins) to 22 (1 skin) victory.

In their final fixture, Northern Gauteng Bulls overcame the Pumas 89 (3 skins) to 24 (1 skin).

Despite the results, the Mpumalanga Pumas showed determination throughout the tournament and gained valuable experience competing against some of the country’s best Action Sports teams.