Airlink Pumas head coach Jimmy Stonehouse has firmly backed his squad to go all the way and lift the 2026 Carling Currie Cup trophy following their emphatic 52-26 demolition of the Toyota Free State Cheetahs at Mbombela Stadium.
The clinical eight-try victory secured the Lowvelders a third-place finish on the final premier division standings. The result sets up an immediate, mouth-watering semi-final rematch between the two sides at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein this coming Sunday at 15:30 SAST.
Reflecting on the bonus-point victory, Stonehouse expressed immense pride in how his team bounced back from their previous round slip-up against the Suzuki Griquas.
The Pumas entered the clash missing several frontline players due to a combination of injuries and suspensions. However, the squad depth stood up to be counted when it mattered most.
“The players really went out there and made the most of the opportunity. I’m very proud of the way the players played,” Stonehouse said after the match. “The players who played in their places played excellently.”
Stonehouse singled out flank André Goedhals, replacement hooker Gustav du Rand, and experienced flyhalf Clinton Swart for their instrumental roles in orchestrating the 26-point victory.
“André Goedhals was incredible; he used the opportunity he got. The same goes for Gustav du Rand. Clinton Swart was also incredibly good,” the coach added.
With a semi-final spot booked, Stonehouse made no secret of his team’s ultimate objective. The Pumas are no strangers to knockout success, having famously lifted the Currie Cup in 2022 and finishing as runners-up in 2023.
“Our goal is to win the Currie Cup, and we are confident that we can do it,” a bullish Stonehouse asserted.
The veteran coach believes the internal competition for places will only drive the team to greater heights ahead of the trip to the Free State.
“The players really performed well on the training field last week. I think in the coming week it is going to be even better,” he said. “There were so many players who performed well in the training sessions and put their hands up to be selected.”