The Airlink Pumas maintained their unbeaten record in the 2024 SA Cup with a dominant 80-10 away win over the Leopards, setting up a tantalising top-of-the-table clash against fellow frontrunners Suzuki Griquas after the tournament's short break.
In a weekend packed with high-scoring drama and late comebacks, it was the men from Mpumalanga who once again laid down a marker, combining ruthless execution with relentless pace to make it six wins from six.
Flyhalf Danrich Visagie continued to stake his claim as the most influential playmaker in the competition, contributing 21 points through a try and eight conversions. Former Blitzbok speedster Darren Adonis was in unstoppable form yet again, notching up a hat-trick to underline the Pumas’ attacking firepower. Eddie Swart added a brace as the visitors racked up 12 tries in total, with only two not converted.
The Leopards managed just a converted try from Daniel Verster and a penalty goal by Charles Williams, as they were overwhelmed by a side that looks increasingly like title favourites.
The Pumas are now level on 30 log points with Suzuki Griquas, who also preserved their perfect record, but the men from Nelspruit have sent a powerful message ahead of the 25 April showdown at Mbombela Stadium.
Griquas, the defending champions, were equally emphatic in their 70-17 win over Eastern Province on Friday. Tertius Kruger and Dylan Maart, the latter with a hat-trick, headlined an eight-try second-half blitz after leading just 14-10 at halftime.
EP, who are now out of semifinal contention barring a miraculous turnaround, fought hard early on, but a pair of yellow cards in the second stanza opened the floodgates.
Meanwhile, the Toyota Cheetahs are quietly gathering momentum of their own. The Bloemfontein side stormed to an 87-15 victory over the Phangela SWD Eagles, marking their fourth win of the campaign.
They were clinical in converting a modest 26-15 halftime lead into a runaway result, scoring 13 tries in total. Prince Nkabinde, Rewan Kruger, and Cohen Jasper were all at the heart of the first-half action, while five players crossed twice after the break. Blommetjies and Jasper kicked 11 conversions between them as the Cheetahs moved into third on the table with 22 points.
The weekend’s most jaw-dropping result came in Kempton Park, where the Valke produced a comeback for the ages to defeat the NovaVit Griffons 45-40. Down 40-7 at halftime after conceding six tries, the East Randers turned the tide with six second-half scores of their own.
Sergio Stalmeester sealed the win at the death, adding to his five conversions, after Adrian Joubert’s earlier try had drawn the sides level. Despite the collapse, the Griffons picked up two bonus points and remain narrowly ahead of the Valke on the table via points difference.
Elsewhere, the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers cruised past the Border Bulldogs 52-3 in East London, scoring nine tries in total. Sydney Tobias bagged a brace, while James Tedder and Ashlon Davids combined for six conversions.
The Kavaliers, now on 22 points alongside the Valke and Griffons, have bounced back from consecutive losses and are firmly in the race for the final playoff spot.
With three rounds to go, the Pumas and Griquas sit comfortably in the top two, both unbeaten on 30 points. The Cheetahs (22) are third, with the Kavaliers, Griffons, and Valke (all 22) locked in a tense battle for the final semi-final berth.
The competition resumes on the weekend of 25 April, headlined by the blockbuster first vs second clash in Nelspruit. On Saturday, the Kavaliers host the Leopards, EP and Border meet in an Eastern Cape derby, Griffons take on the Eagles in Welkom, and the Cheetahs face the Valke in Bloemfontein.
But all eyes will be on the Lowveld, where the Pumas have a golden opportunity to stake their claim as the SA Cup’s outright dominant force.
