While the DHL Stormers have officially begun their 2024/25 United Rugby Championship campaign, they visited Mbombela on September 18 to take on the Airlink Pumas.
The match served as a pre-season warm-up match for the Stormers, who begun their new URC campaign with a 24-37 loss to Ospreys on September 28. They faired far better in Mbombela though, securing a resounding win over the Pumas in front of a sizeable crowd for a Wednesday afternoon at Nelspruit Rugby Club.
Visiting from the Cape, the Stormers led 33-7 when half-time came around. They first extended this lead before the Pumas finally kicked into gear in the second half.
The scored ended 45-26 in the Stormers’ favour, but the Pumas had a much better second half that offered them some positives as they themselves prepared for the 2024 Toyota Challenge.
The Pumas faced Emerging Ireland in the Toyota Challenge on October 2, unfortunately losing 36-24 in spite of a gutsy performance in Bloemfontein.