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Cheetahs vs Pumas Predictions - Cheetahs set to beat the Pumas in crunch semi-final clash

Brad Newcomb

Editor

Last updated: 05 Sep 2026

Brad Newcomb 05 Sep 2026

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Cheetahs won 3 consecutive home matches; strong home form.
Pumas beat Cheetahs at home last week but struggle in Bloemfontein.
Cheetahs tipped to cover the handicap in the semi-final.

Expired

The Cheetahs have often defeated the Pumas in recent clashes (Getty Images)

The Cheetahs have performed well to reach the semi-finals of this edition of the Currie Cup and have had success against the Pumas at home in recent clashes. The Pumas have had a solid campaign, but have struggled to beat the Cheetahs in recent match-ups.

Cheetahs have won 3 consecutive home fixtures (Currie Cup).
Cheetahs have won 2 consecutive home matches against the Pumas (Currie Cup).
Pumas have won 2 of their last 4 away games (Currie Cup).
Pumas have lost 4 of their last 5 matches against the Cheetahs (Currie Cup).

Head to Head

The Cheetahs have the advantage over the Pumas, with 13 victories to eight, including one draw in 22 meetings in the Currie Cup since 2010.

Cheetahs Form

The Cheetahs had no answer in their final fixture of the regular season last weekend, losing 52-26 away to the Pumas after trailing their opponents 28-7 at half-time.

Earlier in their campaign, the team based in Bloemfontein edged the Lions 29-27 at home, beat the Sharks 43-21 at home, and lost 24-21 away to the Griquas before defeating the Stormers 31-26 away, the Bulls 62-52 away and Boland 33-24 at home.

The Toyota Cheetahs placed second in the Currie Cup standings with 27 points after seven rounds.

The Cheetahs will start confidently to come out on top in their semi-final match, as they have been in great touch at home lately, winning three on the trot, and they have defeated the Pumas in four of their last five meetings.

Pumas Form

The Pumas ended their regular season campaign on a high last weekend, thumping the Cheetahs 52-26 at home after leading 28-7 at the break.

Before that result, the team from Mpumalanga lost 26-24 at home to the Sharks and 52-29 to the Lions away from home before beating Boland 20-15 away, the Bulls 33-31 away, and the Stormers 29-7 at home before losing 38-14 to the Griquas at home.

The Airlink Pumas finished third in the Carling Currie Cup table with 22 points from seven matches.

The Pumas have been in solid form in recent outings and got the better of the Cheetahs last weekend; however, they will have to play well to beat their hosts in the semi-final, as they have lost twice in a row in Bloemfontein.

Team News

Cheetahs

Carel-Jan Coetzee, Stefan Venter, Daniel Maartens, and Michael Annies each scored a try against the Pumas last weekend.

Tiaan Swanepoel slotted two conversions in the match, while Faf de Klerk kicked over a conversion.

Starting XV: 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Michael Annies, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Neels Volschenk (c), 7 Simon Miller, 6 Ramon Uys, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Frankie Dos Reis, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Tebogo Nkosi

Replacements: 16 Stefan Venter, 17 Tielman Niewoudt, 18 John-Kelly Okonkwo, 19 Arno van der Merwe, 20 Sisonke Vumazonke, 21 Daniel Maartens, 22 Litha Nkula, 23 Marco Jansen van Vuren

Pumas

Chyle van Zyl and JJ Scheepers each scored a brace against the Cheetahs last weekend.

Sango Xamlashe, Tiaan de Klerk, Andre Goedhals, and Ntsika Fisanti contributed a try each.

Clinton Swart slotted six conversions in the match.

Starting XV: 15 Jaycee Nel, 14 Darren Adonis, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Banie Britz, 10 Clinton Swart, 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Willie Engelbrecht (c), 7 Andre Goedhals, 6 Thabo Ndimande, 5 Tiaan de Klerk, 4 JJ Scheepers, 3 Sampie Swiegers, 2 Chyle van Zyl, 1 Zukisa Sali

Replacements: 16 Gustav du Rand, 17 Etienne Janeke, 18 Junior Banda, 19 Stephan Krugel, 20 Ruwald van der Merwe, 21 Ntsika Fisanti, 22 Tino Swanepoel, 23 Russwill Fredericks

Verdict

Cheetahs v Pumas

The Cheetahs have had regular success against the Pumas in recent seasons and are tipped to cover the -8.5 handicap in their semi-final Currie Cup clash this weekend.

Cheetahs -8.5

Handicap

@1,91 - 3 Units

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Brad graduated from the University of South Africa with a Bcom-Management Accounting degree and has a financial background.

His love of sport has seen him venture down the road of researching sporting history for the past several years, specifically boxing, cricket and football.

Other sports of particular interest are golf, tennis, horse racing and motorsports.

Additionally, he spends his time researching the military history of his home country of South Africa.

He is an ardent Liverpool supporter and is known to DJ and release music on occasion.