The air is thick with anticipation as the Pumas prepare for their final SA Cup group match—a pivotal clash against the Griffons in Welkom. Having stormed through the tournament unbeaten, Coach Jimmy Stonehouse’s charges sit confidently at the top of the log. But as Stonehouse reminds us on this week’s Coaches’ Corner, “It’s not going to be easy. But it’s got to be worth it.”
Joined by former Puma Renaldo Bothma, Stonehouse offered a candid, often philosophical look into the Pumas’ campaign, the state of the SA Cup, and the realities of coaching and player development in the heartland of South African rugby.
Hunger, Heart, and Hard Lessons
The Pumas’ narrow escape against Boland—edged by a last-minute try—was a stark reminder of the fine margins in this year’s competition. “That was a very, very poor performance from us,” admitted Stonehouse. “We let them in. If we just kicked out twice, they wouldn’t have scored.”
The loss of concentration late in games is a concern for the Pumas camp, especially as they approach the high-stakes semi-finals. “Certain players are making personal mistakes—again and again,” he said, highlighting the critical need to stay switched on for the full 80. “You’ve got to play the whole game. You’ve got to do it with 100% correction.”
With the Griffons fighting for Currie Cup qualification, the match in Welkom has all the hallmarks of a playoff dress rehearsal. “They’ve got a quality side,” Stonehouse warned. “A big pack of forwards, experienced backs. If you make mistakes, they’ll drag you back into the game.”
SA Cup’s Bigger Picture
Beyond individual fixtures, Stonehouse sees the SA Cup as a vital—if flawed—lifeline for smaller unions. “It’s a competition where you want to qualify for the Premiership, but there’s no TV coverage, no TMO,” he lamented. “If you want rugby to grow, how can you not show the games?”
The coach remains deeply passionate about unlocking rugby’s potential outside the major unions. He praised Boland, Border, and Eastern Province for tapping into rich club structures and highlighted the efforts by them—even amid financial and structural challenges.
“Money makes the world go around,” Stonehouse mused. “You can do a lot if you’ve got it. But when you don’t, it’s a whole different story.” In a nod to the travel demands on players and the geography of Mpumalanga, he added: “From Secunda to Ermelo to Nelspruit—300km plus. It’s not easy to build when things are that far apart.”
Eye for Talent, Heart for the Game
Stonehouse is known for discovering rugby gems—Vincent Koch and Faf de Klerk being prime examples—and he credits his team’s thorough, nationwide scouting efforts. “Our coaches—MJ, Corne, Louis, Ruwellyn—everyone’s doing their job. We believe in what we’re doing,” he said.
The Pumas remain one of the few unions where a trial genuinely means a chance. “Not everybody gets an opportunity at a Bulls or a Sharks. We’re always open for trials.”
Yet, for Stonehouse, development is about more than just rugby. “If you didn’t study and your career ends, then what? That’s the problem. Rugby becomes big, but your life after rugby? That’s the part we don’t talk about enough.”
All to Play For
With the log still shifting and several teams in contention, the SA Cup’s final round promises edge-of-your-seat drama. Falkirk, Eastern Province, and the Griffons all have mathematical hopes. The Cheetahs-Griekwas derby looms large, and Stonehouse knows that even his side’s home semi-final could slip through their fingers with a poor result.
“There’s great rugby in this competition. But imagine what it could be with proper backing,” he concluded. “The SA Cup is good for rugby. Now let’s give it the exposure it deserves.”
As the Pumas chase silverware and a spot in the 2024 Currie Cup Premier Division, the message from Nelspruit is clear: they’re not done yet. They’re building, fighting, and proving—week after week—that for smaller unions, the SA Cup is far more than a stepping stone. It’s a statement.
