SA Cup Round semi-final – Toyota Cheetahs vs Airlink Pumas
The Toyota Cheetahs face a challenging SA Cup semi-final against the Airlink Pumas at Mbombela Stadium despite dealing with a lengthy injury list.
SA Cup Round semi-final – Toyota Cheetahs vs Airlink Pumas
The Toyota Cheetahs booked their place in the semi-finals with a dramatic victory over the previously unbeaten Suzuki Griquas, a performance that once again highlighted the character, resilience, and fighting spirit within the squad, according to Fscheetahs.
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The Toyota Cheetahs booked their place in the semi-finals with a dramatic victory over the previously unbeaten Suzuki Griquas, a performance that once again highlighted the character, resilience, and fighting spirit within the squad, according to Fscheetahs.
A lengthy injury list threatens to disrupt the Toyota Cheetahs setup. Unavailable for selection due to injury are Arno van der Merwe and Sasko Ndlovu (hamstrings), Pierre Uys and Vice Hofmeyer (shoulders), Ntokozo Makhaza (knee), Ben Pitout and Frankie Dos Reis (ankles), Prince Nkabinde (head injury), Jooste Nel (chest injury), Juan Venter (shoulder) and Jaco van der Walt (hip). Despite these setbacks, coach Steyn has named his team for this important encounter with only one change, as detailed by Fscheetahs.
The Airlink Pumas present a formidable obstacle on home turf. Led by Jimmy Stonehouse, the defending champions finished second on the log (38 points) behind Griquas, suffering only one defeat and registering a weather-disrupted draw against the Toyota Cheetahs during the league stage, according to Sarugbymag. Their league meeting earlier in March in Bloemfontein was also left unresolved after severe thunderstorms forced the match to end, as noted by Fscheetahs.
History and statistics suggest an exceptionally tight contest. Over the past three SA Cup seasons, only five points have separated the Airlink Pumas and the Toyota Cheetahs across their encounters, according to Fscheetahs. The Pumas boast an impressive record in this competition, having lost the inaugural final to Griquas in 2024 before going unbeaten in 2025 to clinch the title against the same opponents in the final, according to Sarugbymag. The Nelspruit side has featured in four cup finals over the past four years, winning the Currie Cup Premier Division in 2022 and the SA Cup in 2025, as reported by Sarugbymag.
| Team | Log Standing / Points | Recent Form Highlights | Key Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airlink Pumas | Second | Four wins from last five matches; sole setback a defeat away to Griquas, per Sarugbymag. | Defending champions with four consecutive cup final appearances; home advantage at Mbombela Stadium, according to Sarugbymag. |
| Toyota Cheetahs | Play-off qualifiers | Resilient on the road with one loss in last four away fixtures; dramatic win over Griquas, according to Fscheetahs and Sarugbymag. | Plagued by a deep injury crisis across multiple positions; historic five-point margin across past three seasons against Pumas, per Fscheetahs. |
Analyst perspectives highlighted by Sarugbymag position the Pumas and the Suzuki Griquas as favourites going into this weekend’s SA Cup semi-finals. While the Pumas and the Cheetahs kick off the playoff action at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Friday (6pm), the second semi-final will see Griquas take on the Boland Cavaliers in Kimberley on Saturday (1pm), according to Sarugbymag.
Broadcasting arrangements for the fixture ensure extensive reach. Fans unable to attend Mbombela Stadium can watch the match live on SuperSport Rugby and CSN, as reported by Fscheetahs. Broader domestic rugby competitions are also accessible via platforms such as FloRugby and the FloSports app for international audiences, while international sports highlights are regularly tracked via Sport coverage.
What happens next will unfold on the pitch as the Toyota Cheetahs test their depth against the defending champions. The SA Cup final will take place on Saturday, 23 May (6:15pm), where they will face the victor of the Kimberley semi-final, according to Sarugbymag.
