The Airlink Pumas defeated Romania A 46–26 in their final Round 3 fixture of the South African leg of the 2026 Toyota Challenge at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Sunday.
Capitalising on an intense opening-half display, the Pumas were clinical and took a commanding 28–07 lead at halftime, outscoring their opponents 4 tries to 1.
Romania A were looking a lot better in the second half, using their physical forward pack to supply their backs with quality attacking ball, from which they scored three brilliant tries; however, the Pumas successfully stifled the momentum, maintaining their defensive structures and matching the touring side's intensity to seal the comfortable 20-point victory.
Scorers:
Airlink Pumas: Jay Cee Nel. Sango Xamlashe (2), Thomas Bursey, JJ Scheepers, Willie Engelbrecht, Ntsika Fisanti, Alfondso Isaacs. Conversions: Nevaldo Fleurs (2), Clinton Swart.
Romania A: Mihai Graure, Toni Maftei, Serge Le Mezec. Penalty Try. Conversions: Serge Le Mezec (2).
Teams:
Airlink Pumas: 1 Zukisa Sali, 2 Tian Vorster, 3 Sampie Swiegers, 4 JJ Scheepers, 5 Tiaan De Klerk, 6 Ntsika Fisanti, 7 Ruwald Van Der Merwe, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 9 Thomas Bursey, 10 Nevaldo Fleurs, 11 Alfondso Isaacs, 12 Troy Delport, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 14 Lundi Msenge, 15 Jay Cee Nel. Replacements: 16 Jordan Mcloughlin, 17 Kudzwai Dube, 18 Junior Banda, 19 Stephan Krugel, 20 De Wet Marais, 21 Darren Adonis, 22 Wian Van Niekerk, 23 Clinton Swart.
Romania A: 1 Iulian Hartig, 2 Adrian Tala, 3 Cosmin Manole, 4 Yanis Horvat, 5 Logan Weidner, 6 Nicolaas Immelman, 7 Vlad Neculau, 8 Ettienne Terblanche, 9 Jondre Williams, 10 Hinckley Vaovasa, 11 Damian Bonaparte, 12 Dylan Schwartz, 13 Mihai Graure, 14 Tiqe Iliesa, 15 Toni Maftei. Replacements: 16 Sebastian Vasilovicii, 17 Eduard Matei, 18 JP Smith, 19 David Trausan, 20 Robert Irimescu, 21 Daniel Plai, 22 Tevita Manumua, 23 Serge Le Mezec.