The Fidelity ADT Lions enjoyed a dominant third quarter to pip the Airlink Pumas 36-35 in an exciting Carling Currie Cup encounter at the Nelspruit Rugby Club on Saturday.
Both sides scored five tries, but the narrow, deserved win for the Lions kept them well in the hunt for Currie Cup honours while the disappointed Pumas – coming off a great away victory against the Bulls – could console themselves with two losing bonus points for scoring more than four tries and coming within seven points of their opponents.
𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 | Airline Pumas 28 – 36 Fidelity ADT Lions
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) August 16, 2025
What a way to bounce back. Thank you to the people of Nelspruit for coming out.#PUMvLIO | #CurrieCup | #WhereChampionsRise | #ForOurCity #LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/eYNhjdEMqB
The Lions’ flyhalf, Lubabalo Dobelo, who kicked 11 points (four conversions and a penalty) while also controlling the action with some excellent tactical kicking in the second half, was named player of the match.
The final result was clearer than the scoreline suggests, with the Lions establishing a 15-point cushion (36-21) in the second half before the Pumas replied with two late tries.
The first half was a game of to-and-fro rugby with the Pumas scoring three tries but the Lions replied promptly with scores of their own. The home team, roared on by an enthusiastic home crowd, were the first to score with flanker Ruwald van der Merwe breaking a tackle before striding through a huge gap in the Lions’ defence to dive over close to the poles. Danrich Visagie converted the first of five kicks.
The Lions responded almost immediately with centre Kelly Mpeku shrugging off tackles to dive over after some intense pressure near the Pumas’ line from his forwards. Back came the Pumas through their Canadian international Ross Braud, who scampered over after some poor tackling by the Lions. The visitors bit back, however, with wing Angelo Davids taking a long overhead pass to score in the right corner, with Dobelo slotting an excellent conversion from the touchline.
There was still time for Pumas’ wing Darren Adonis to score in the left corner after an inch-perfect cross-kick from centre Sango Xamlashe. Just before the whistle, Renzo du Plessis was mauled over by his pack to even the scores up at 21-all in a breathless first half.
LIONS EMERGED WITH RENEWED PURPOSE
Wise words were clearly spoken during the break as the Lions came out with steely purpose to dominate play for the first 20 minutes.
By contrast, the Pumas lost their cohesion and made a number of unforced errors, mainly in their handling. A penalty from Dobela and a superb try from lock Dylan Sjoblom, bursting through a gap after a fine off-load, saw the Lions stretch out to a 10-point lead.
Du Plessis then took an overhead pass to storm down the right touchline to crash over. The try was not converted, but with 20 minutes to go, the Lions looked comfortable with a 15-point lead.
Nippy substitute scrum-half Russwell Fredericks managed to spark some life into the Pumas in the final quarter, resulting in two late tries from Jan-Henning Campher and Tiaan Pretorius, with the final try coming nearly five minutes after the final siren blew. But by then, it was marginally too little, too late, for the home team who never stopped trying against opponents who finally showed their superiority in the second half.
SCORES:
AIRLINK PUMAS (21) 35 – Tries: Ruwald van der Merwe, Ross Braude, Darren Adonis, Jan-Henning Campher, Tiaan Pretorius. Conversions: Danrich Visagie (5).
FIDELITY ADT LIONS (21) 36 – Tries: Kelly Mpeku, Angelo Davids, Renzo du Plessis, Dylan Sjoblom, Renzo du Plessis. Conversions: Lubabalo Dobela (4). Penalty: Dobela (1)