The Airlink Pumas delivered a statement performance in the SA Cup, dismantling the Phangela SWD Eagles with a resounding 75-7 victory at Mbombela Stadium. The home side ran in 11 tries in a ruthless display of attacking rugby, leaving the Eagles struggling to keep up with the pace and physicality of the Pumas’ relentless onslaught.
Fast Start, but Pumas Take Control
The match began with a glimmer of hope for the visitors, as Phangela SWD Eagles stunned the home crowd with an early try in the 2nd minute. Scrumhalf Sachin Toring showed great awareness to snipe over from close range, and Braam Abrahams added the conversion to give the Eagles a 7-0 lead.
However, the early setback only served to fire up the Pumas, who responded almost immediately. Wian Van Niekerk crossed the whitewash in the 7th minute, and playmaker Clinton Swart slotted the conversion to level the scores. That was the start of an avalanche, as the hosts took full control of the contest.
Pumas’ Ruthless First Half Sets the Tone
As the game settled, the Pumas began to find their rhythm, mixing powerful forward play with dynamic backline movements. Sango Xamlashe dotted down in the 12th minute, followed by another clinical finish from Ntsika Fisanti in the 22nd minute.
The Eagles’ defense was put under immense pressure, and it began to crumble under the relentless Pumas attack. Before halftime, Clinton Swart got himself on the scoresheet with a well-worked try in the 34th minute, which he duly converted. The Pumas went into the break leading 26-7, already with a bonus point secured.
Second-Half Onslaught: Pumas Run Riot
If the Eagles had any hopes of mounting a comeback, they were quickly dashed by the relentless Pumas, who exploded into life in the second half. Darren Adonis returned from a first-half yellow card to score early in the second period, setting the tone for an utterly dominant 40 minutes.
Tries from Wian Van Niekerk (47’), Sango Xamlashe (52’), Llewellyn Classen (64’), Eddie Swart (69’, 79’), and Ntsika Fisanti (77’) completed the rout. The Pumas’ replacements also made an impact, with Danrich Visagie taking over the kicking duties in the final quarter and slotting four conversions.
The Eagles’ frustration was evident, as Rosco Syster received a yellow card late in the game, further compounding their misery.
Clinton Swart: The Playmaker Extraordinaire
While several players stood out, Clinton Swart was the architect of the Pumas’ attack. The fly-half controlled the game brilliantly, scoring one try, six conversions, and steering his side around the park with precision. His calm decision-making and flawless goal-kicking ensured the scoreboard kept ticking over.
Final Thoughts
This was a statement victory from the Airlink Pumas, who showcased their attacking prowess and depth across the park. Their ability to shift gears in the second half and maintain intensity for the full 80 minutes was a testament to their conditioning and tactical execution.
For Phangela SWD Eagles, it was a humbling experience, exposing the gap between the two sides in terms of squad depth and execution under pressure. They will need to regroup quickly if they hope to bounce back in their next fixture.
With this dominant performance, the Airlink Pumas send a clear warning to the rest of the SA Cup contenders—they are here to win.
