The Pumas team, led by Jimmy Stonehouse, will play against Griquas in the Currie Cup final. The match will take place in Kimberley on Saturday, September 12th, after both teams advanced to the final through completely different paths in yesterday's semi-finals.
The champion team, defending the title, demonstrated high class in Kimberley, securing a convincing victory over the young Lions team with a score of 52-12, scoring seven tries. Although the Lions fought hard, they were unable to compare to Griquas, whose team laid the foundation for an aggressive attack that ruthlessly exploited opportunities.
Peter Berg's team looked very strong throughout the tournament, taking first place in the table after winning six consecutive league matches. This dominant run secured Griquas home advantage in the final, and they confirmed their status with another impressive performance at a crucial moment.
The other semi-final match, held in Bloemfontein, was quite different. Coach Jimmy Stonehouse's reaction after the final whistle spoke volumes about the drama of their 27-24 victory over the Cheetahs. The experienced coach let out a loud cry of joy and then punched the table in celebration.
Ten minutes earlier, playmaker Clintn Swart remained calm, scoring a penalty that put Pumas ahead 27-24. The visitors were forced to fight hard after the Cheetahs made a perfect start, scoring two early touchdowns and threatening to take control of the game.
However, Stonehouse's men managed to weather the storm and hold onto the win in a tense match, allowing them to reach the Currie Cup final. For Cheetahs coach Frans Steyn, the defeat was particularly painful. His team had been crushed by Pumas with a score of 52-26 in the last league match in Nelspruit last week, but there were expectations that the Free Staters could turn the situation around at their home ground in the playoffs.
Instead, it is Pumas who will return to the final, having won the title in 2022 and placed second in 2023. Now they will face the defending champions in Kimberley, where Griquas aim to complete their dominant campaign by retaining the Currie Cup on their home turf.