The Airlink Pumas have got their 2024 Carling Currie Cup campaign off to a perfect start, thumping the Suzuki Griquas 44-24 in Kimberley to earn some sweet revenge.
The Pumas and Griquas last met in the final of the inaugural SA Cup season in May, when the Griquas won 46-24 to claim the first-ever SA Cup. This put a lot of pride on the line for the Pumas ahead of the opening encounter of the Currie Cup season, when they would again have to travel to Kimberley to face the SA Cup champions.
Things started as the Mbombela boys hoped for, as a fine first-half showing meant they imposed themselves on the hosts to take a 25-12 half-time lead. A strong second-half performance saw the Pumas nearly double their points tally thanks to three tries in the second period.
The home side was simply unable to keep up with the Pumas, and so the 2023 Currie Cup runners-up got their season going with a bang courtesy of the 44-24 win.
It not only places them in good stead as they try to go one better this year than they did in 2023, but also earns them sweet revenge for the SA Cup final loss.
The Pumas’ Stefan Coetzee was handed the man-of-the-match award for his efforts.
Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse was very chuffed that they could walk away with the win. “I’m very glad with the set pieces that went well today [Friday July 5]. It was amazing to see the guys making that step up, especially the new players who are here.”
The Airlink Pumas now have the task of facing the Fidelity ADT Lions on home soil in a Highveld-Lowveld battle at Mbombela Stadium this week. The two sides will bare claws and face off on Friday July 12 at 19:00.
