The mayor, former players and Craven Week teams congratulate the 2022 Carling Currie Cup champions
The City of Mbombela’s executive mayor, Cllr Sibongile Makushe:
I am elated by the recent exploits of the Pumas in the Currie Cup victory over the Griquas. This achievement is not only historic, but it also shows how you can achieve more with little. The Pumas defied all odds stacked against the team and conquered their more illustrious opponents to achieve this feat in the short term they’ve been in the Premier Division of rugby in the country. Not long after they had to fight tooth and nail to stay in this division, they turned adversity into conquest. Congratulations to the entire Mpumalanga Rugby Union for believing in the boys, and to the boys for putting their best foot forward when it mattered most. The Currie Cup is now in Mpumalanga until further notice.
The u/13 Pumas Craven Week team:
Pumas, congratulations on your impressive Currie Cup win. It was truly a great game to witness as it was the Pumas’ first time making the Currie Cup final. We know that you worked extremely hard and went through good and bad times to get to as far you have gone. The most important part is that you put the Lord first before everything else, as everything is possible through Christ. Pumas, we are inspired and motivated and we will take this into our Craven Week. We will play our hearts and have faith just like you did.
Frank Herne (101 matches for the Pumas):
Puma boys, I write this message of congratulations to you with great pride and joy. You have accomplished what many have strived to do! You have been given this honour to lift the Currie Cup, deservedly. Through your hard work, and trust me, I know what hard work you put in, you have managed to successfully achieve what many have not. This is a great achievement and one you will cherish for the rest of your life. Please remember the feeling. You are one heck of a special group of gentlemen, and with a special supporting staff behind you that will back you in everything you do. You have now shown the whole world what can be achieved if you just believe in yourself, putting all the other “noise” aside and focusing on the one job at hand. You have made the whole Pumas family incredibly proud. “Onthou, wanneer daai wit perd kom, moet jy reg wees om hom te ry.” Wise words from a wise man – you will know who he is. My bloed is pienk.
Grant de Jager – Pumas u/18 Cravenweekkaptein (met skrumpet):
Die Cravenweekspan wil die Pumas hartlik gelukwens met Saterdag se wen teen die Griekwas. Dit was ‘n rillerwedstryd om na te kyk en ek, en ek glo baie Pumas-ondersteuners, was die hele tyd op die punte van hul stoele. Baie dankie vir die goeie voorbeeld wat julle vir ons as jong spelers daarstel. Ons gaan hard speel, nie net by die Cravenweek nie, maar ook by alle toernooie waar ons die Pumas teenwoordig. Ons Cravenweekspan gaan hard werk om in jul voetspore te volg en julle net so trots maak soos ons op julle is.
Dan van Zyl (98 matches for the Pumas):
I was extremely proud, firstly to see the Pumas in the final, but then also to go one further and win it. As a former captain, it brought back a lot of memories from 1996 when we started a new chapter in Witbank, and the alliance has always been very close since then. Fond memories and great teammates. This Pumas team showed great courage throughout the season and are well-deserved Currie Cup champions. The semi-final against the Cheetahs showed what they are about with their never-give-up attitude.
Rosko Specman (45 matches for the Pumas):
Congratulations, Pumas! It’s been inspiring to watch your journey to becoming the 2022 Currie Cup Champions. You’ve instilled so much pride in the union and Pumas supporters. You have demonstrated that smaller unions should never be underestimated, because their will to win will always be greater. To Coach Jimmy, a man I truly respect and admire, I doubt there’s a coach more deserving of this moment. Congratulations to you, the management team and support staff, on producing an environment for players to thrive.
Chaka Willemse (100+ matches for the Pumas):
What a great day for Pumas rugby! It felt like yesterday I played for Southeastern Transvaal and also for the Pumas. I was lucky enough to play more than a 100 games and captain them for 89 times – special times. I also coached and myself and Jimmy went a few times head to head against each other. But there was always a special place in my heart for the Pumas and I don’t think that would ever change. How nice for the Pumas to be in the final and winning it away from home. Congratulations to everyone for making the dream come true. Great rugby and an unbelievable achievement, well done! A day every player and member of the Pumas team will remember and think back on and say, “We did it!”
Marius Coetzer (100 matches for the Pumas):
Baie geluk, coach Jimmy en span. Ek kan nie meer trots wees om te sê ek is ‘n oud-Puma nie. Ek is so dankbaar dat julle almal uiteindelik die erkenning kry wat julle al vir so lank verdien. En dan Marra, toe ek jou op die paviljoen sien tussen die Pumas-ondersteuners en nie in ‘n fancy losie saam met al die grootkoppe nie, het ek geweet die oorwinning is ons s’n.
