The Pumas secured a narrow 33-31 victory over the Bulls in the Currie Cup on August 8, closing out a match that could not be called anything less than a classic. By then the visitors had already proven they could match the hosts for intensity, and the final margin of two points said it all.
The result ends a run of poor form for the Bulls, who had lost four of their previous five fixtures. Their last win came against Namibia in mid-July, and since then they have been unable to string together consecutive victories. To be fair, the opposition quality varied, but consistency remains the issue.
The Pumas, meanwhile, extend a better recent run. They have won three of their last five matches, including victories over Boland Cavaliers and the Lions this month. The defeat in July to the Sharks is the only blemish on their August record, and this result suggests they are finding their rhythm at the right time.
The Bulls' defensive frailties showed through again, conceding 33 points away from home. They had not kept a clean sheet since June, and the pattern of high-scoring games continued. The attack, however, did enough to keep them in contention until the final whistle.
For the Pumas, this away win adds weight to their campaign. They have shown they can compete with the stronger teams when they stick to their structure, and the momentum from this result could prove crucial in the weeks ahead.