BLOEMFONTEIN – The Free State Cheetahs are out for swift redemption as they host the Pumas in a Currie Cup Premier Division semifinal in Bloemfontein on Sunday. The sides meet for the second time in seven days at the 45 000-capacity Toyota Stadium, with the Cheetahs stung by a 52-26 defeat in their final-round pool clash in Mpumalanga.

A masterclass in tactical nuance and technical insight awaits rugby supporters in this big cat showdown, in which both sides are expected to unleash their predatory instincts. The Cheetahs are counting on their home-ground advantage and a strong contingent of supporters expected to pack out the stadium and serve as their “16th man”.

It is a crucial fixture for head coaches Frans Steyn and Jimmy Stonehouse, with the victor going through to the final in South Africa’s prestigious rugby championship. Steyn and his camp face a massive psychological assignment to lift themselves after their biggest loss at the hands of these same Pumas who finished the match with 14 men after having a player red-carded. The Pumas will have their tails up after recording their win over the Free State lads.

According to history, the Cheetahs have won 10 of their 20 total semifinal matches and reached 16 finals throughout their history. They have won the championship title seven times (including one shared title) and finished as runners-up nine times. Steyn will look to atone for the 5 – 25 loss in the semifinal to the 2025 Currie Cup winners – the Northern Cape’s Griquas.

Steyn has stressed the importance of his warriors to display their predatory and stature against the Pumas in the supercharged clash on Sunday. He will look for inspiration from double Rugby World Cup winner and veteran Springbok scrum-half, Faf de Klerk.

This is the Pumas third semifinal and are highly motivated to reach their third final, having won the coveted trophy first-time ever in 2022, when they defeated the Griquas 26–19 in Kimberley to lift their maiden title. The visiting opponents were runners-up in the 2023 after losing 17-25 to the Cheetahs in the final. The winner of the Cheetahs-Pumas semi-final will face the winner of the other semi-final match between the Griquas and the Lions in the final on 12 September.