Pumas 27-24 Cheetahs: Airlink Pumas Stun Bloemfontein to Reach Currie Cup Final

The Airlink Pumas beat the Toyota Cheetahs 27-24 at Toyota Stadium on 6 September 2026, a Clinton Swart penalty and a late breakdown turnover sealing a Carling Currie Cup final date with Griquas.

September 19, 2026
8:01 am

The Airlink Pumas beat the Toyota Cheetahs 27-24 at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Sunday, 6 September 2026, holding off a spirited home comeback to book a Carling Currie Cup final against defending champions Griquas.

Pumas 27-24 Cheetahs: Match Details

Fixture: Toyota Cheetahs 24-27 Airlink Pumas
Competition: 2026 Carling Currie Cup semi-final
Date: Sunday, 6 September 2026
Venue: Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
Cheetahs tries: Ramon Uys, Marko Janse van Rensburg, Carel-Jan Coetzee
Pumas tries: Darren Adonis, Andre Goedhals, Gustav du Rand
Final: Pumas to face Griquas in Kimberley

A Fast Cheetahs Start

Bloemfontein got exactly the opening it wanted. An early penalty and a rolling-maul try from Ramon Uys put the Cheetahs 10-0 ahead, and with home advantage and second place on the log behind them, a final looked a formality.

The Pumas Claw Back

It was not. Darren Adonis scored in the second half to level at 10-10, and Andre Goedhals then put the visitors in front for the first time. Marko Janse van Rensburg hit back for the Cheetahs before Gustav du Rand extended the Pumas’ advantage again.

A Cheetahs error let Carel-Jan Coetzee in to level it at 24-24 with the crowd sensing a home win.

Swart and Xamlashe Settle It

With ten minutes left, Clinton Swart landed the penalty that put the Pumas 27-24 up. They then did the hardest thing in knockout rugby — held on. Sango Xamlashe won a breakdown penalty in the closing moments to end the contest and send the Pumas to Kimberley.

Revenge Denied

The Cheetahs had gone into this semi-final carrying the memory of a 52-26 hammering by the same opponents on 29 August, when the Pumas scored eight tries and led 28-7 at the break. Bloemfontein wanted redress and came within three points of it.

Going in, the Cheetahs sat second on 27 points from seven matches; the Pumas third on 22 from four wins. The log placings did not survive contact with the knockout round.

Betting Insights

Home advantage is not decisive: The Cheetahs were favourites at Toyota Stadium and lost. Currie Cup knockout markets have consistently overrated home venue.
Three-point margins: A 27-24 result in a semi-final — handicap markets around the three-to-six point range have been where the value sits.
Kicking accuracy decides tight rugby: Swart’s penalty won it. Goal-kicker points markets are undervalued in knockout fixtures.
Recent form over log position: The Pumas had won 52-26 a week earlier. That mattered more than the standings.

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Final Word

The Pumas have made a habit of being underestimated, and they did it again in Bloemfontein. Three tries, a nerveless Swart penalty and a breakdown turnover when it mattered most. Griquas await in Kimberley, and on this evidence the defending champions will not have it easy.

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Sources

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