The Airlink Pumas are set to face the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers in the 2025 SA Cup semi-finals on Friday, 16 May at the Mbombela Stadium (7pm kickoff). This matchup features two teams with contrasting trajectories: the Pumas have maintained a flawless record throughout the tournament, while the Kavaliers have experienced a more turbulent journey to the semifinals.
Airlink Pumas: Unbeaten and Dominant
Under the guidance of coach Jimmy Stonehouse, the Airlink Pumas have showcased exceptional form, aiming to go one better on their runner-up finish in the 2024 SA Cup. Their 2025 campaign has been marked by commanding victories:
Round 1: Defeated Phangela SWD Eagles 75–7 at Mbombela Stadium, scoring 11 tries with standout performances from Sango Xamlashe, Wian van Niekerk, Eddie Swart, and Ntsika Fisanti, each contributing two tries.
Round 2: Overpowered Eastern Province 61–22 in Gqeberha, demonstrating their offensive prowess.
Round 3: Solidified their title credentials with a come-from-behind 46-38 victory against the Toyota Cheetahs at home in Nelspruit.
Round 4: Triumphed over the Valke 50–15 in Kempton Park, continuing their dominant streak.
Round 5: Mercilessly overwhelmed the Border Bulldogs 110–7 at Mbombela Stadium, maintaining their unbeaten run.
Round 6: Absolutely hammered the Leopards 80–10 in Potchefstroom, showcasing their depth and consistency.
Round 7: Claimed a 39–34 win against the Suzuki Griquas at Mbombela Stadium, solidifying their top position on the log.
- Round 8: Clinched a tight 34–32 win against the Kavaliers in Wellington.
Round 9: Concluded the regular season with a 50–7 victory over the NovaVit Griffons in Welkom, completing a perfect 9–0 record.
The Pumas’ consistent high-scoring games and robust defense have made them formidable contenders, with a total of 545 points scored and only 192 conceded across the tournament.
Semifinal Outlook
The Pumas enter the semifinal as outright favorites, given their unblemished record and previous decisive win over the Kavaliers. However, the Kavaliers have demonstrated the ability to rebound and pose a significant challenge. The match promises to be a compelling contest, with both teams vying for a spot in the SA Cup final. Should the result go according to the form book, the final will take place in Mbombela, a much-desired turn of events.
The semifinal is scheduled for Friday, 16 May, with those not being able to attend it in the capital of Mpumalanga having the option of streaming it on SuperSport channel 248.
