Playing at Outeniqua Park, the defending champions had to overturn a 19–7 halftime deficit before producing a determined second-half comeback to secure the narrow win.
The Eagles made a fast start when flanker Carel du Preez powered over after just three minutes, with Abner van Reenen adding the conversion to give the hosts an early 7–0 lead. The Pumas responded through centre Sango Xamlashe, whose converted try levelled the match.
However, momentum swung back to the hosts when Pumas hooker Gustav du Rand was shown a yellow card around the half-hour mark. The Eagles capitalised immediately with a penalty try, and with No 8 Ulrich Stander dominating the gain line and SWD controlling territory, the home side went into the break with a deserved 19–7 advantage.
After halftime, the champions regrouped and struck quickly. Flanker Ntsika Fisanti crossed for a converted try shortly after the restart to reduce the deficit. When SWD scrumhalf Xavier Swartbooi received a yellow card, the Pumas took full advantage as wing Valentino Wellman finished out wide before Dalvon Blood added another try.
Flyhalf Danrich Visagie proved crucial with the boot, successfully converting all four Pumas tries to swing the score to 28–19 in favour of the visitors.
The Eagles refused to give in and kept the pressure on late in the match. Replacement flyhalf Fred Zeilinga orchestrated a sustained attack that resulted in wing Keanu Vers scoring with seven minutes remaining. Zeilinga converted to narrow the gap to just two points and set up a tense finish.
Despite losing replacement lock Miyelane Ngobeni to the sin bin in the closing stages, the Pumas held firm with disciplined defence to close out the match and start their campaign with an important away victory.
The Pumas will now turn their focus to the second round where they host Eastern Province in Nelspruit next weekend as the race to qualify for the Currie Cup Premier Division continues.
