Airlink Pumas hold off Toyota Cheetahs to reach Currie Cup final

The Airlink Pumas survived a late Toyota Cheetahs fightback to secure a thrilling 27-24 semi-final victory at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein and book a place in the Carling Currie Cup final.

The Pumas will face defending champions the Suzuki Griquas in Kimberley on Saturday, 12 September, in a repeat of the 2022 final, which the Pumas won at the same venue.

The result was a dramatic contrast to the teams’ meeting in the round-robin phase a week earlier, when Jimmy Stonehouse’s Pumas produced a dominant 52-26 victory in Nelspruit. Under double World Cup winner Frans Steyn, the Cheetahs responded with a far more competitive display on home soil, taking the match to the final moments before the visitors held on.

Neither side was able to establish control during a cautious opening quarter. Both teams looked to gain ground through the aerial contest, but handling errors disrupted the flow and prevented either from turning possession into points. The Pumas enjoyed more of the ball, although the Cheetahs were the first to make the scoreboard move.

Jaco van der Walt kicked a penalty in the 18th minute to put the hosts 3-0 ahead. The first clear try-scoring opportunity arrived shortly afterwards, when Faf de Klerk spread play from a scrum to Cohen Jasper. The Cheetahs fullback found room along the left touchline, but could not finish the move.

The hosts eventually increased their advantage from a driving maul. Ramon Uys broke through for the opening try in the 34th minute, with Van der Walt adding the conversion to make it 10-0.

The Pumas reduced the deficit just before half-time, birthday boy Clinton Swart converting a penalty to leave the visitors within one score at the interval.

After the restart, the Pumas raised the tempo and attacked with greater purpose. Darren Adonis, the Blitzbok, found space in the corner in the 42nd minute to score their first try. Swart converted to bring the teams level at 10-10.

The visitors then moved in front for the first time 11 minutes later. Roelof Goedhals powered over after quick ruck ball and strong gainline running, with Swart adding the conversion for a 17-10 lead.

The Cheetahs responded immediately. Marko Janse van Rensburg forced his way over from a maul in the 56th minute, and Van der Walt’s conversion restored parity at 17-17.

Another Pumas maul produced their next score, Gustav du Rand finishing the opportunity in the 62nd minute. Swart’s successful conversion gave the visitors a 24-17 advantage.

The Cheetahs refused to surrender. Carel-Jan Coetzee capitalised on broken play in the 68th minute and powered over from close range. Van der Walt converted to make it 24-24.

Swart then delivered the decisive moment, kicking a penalty in the 71st minute to edge the Pumas back in front at 27-24.

The Cheetahs were presented with a chance to level the contest again a minute later when they won a penalty within kicking range. They chose to kick for touch instead, but the Pumas defended the resulting maul successfully and won a penalty of their own.

Two minutes before full-time, the Pumas went in search of an insurance try, only for the Cheetahs to regain possession after a knock-on deep inside their own territory. The home side launched one final attack, but the Pumas’ defence withstood the pressure and forced a turnover to complete a memorable win.

The Pumas now travel to Kimberley for the final against the Suzuki Griquas, with another victory over the defending champions required to lift the Carling Currie Cup.