JOHN MITCHELL, writing on the Vodacom Rugby Portal, unpacks the Pumas’ success in the Vodacom Cup and the value of the competition in developing the next tier of players.

The Pumas were full value for their win in the Vodacom Cup final at Newlands on Saturday.

The Nelspruit-based side lost two of their league matches, but beat the Vodacom Cup champions of 2012 (Griquas), 2013 (Golden Lions) and 2014 (Western Province) away from home to lift the title. The Pumas would have learned from those two league losses, which is something Province were never able to do, as they just kept on winning. The Pumas also possessed an older playing group, and that belief and experience shone through in the final.

Read the rest of Mitchell's column

Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix