Stonehouse notes bittersweet reality of Pumas' huge win over Bulls: They need more than Currie Cup

Forget the "this-is-early-doors" mumbo jumbo.

The Pumas have made it very clear that they want more than just a Currie Cup to participate in.

Jimmy Stonehouse's charges articulated that wish in the loudest way possible: a magnificent, perhaps even freakish 63-15 victory over the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday afternoon.

There could be no quibbling over the standard of the opposition the defending Currie Cup champions faced - the Bulls boasted 13 players in their 23 who played in the URC last weekend.

The eventual winning margin provides telling ammunition for the Pumas' case of demanding international competition. 

In fact, their growth as a union depends on it, be it from a financial or player development perspective.

MATCH REPORT | Pumas demolish bumbling Bulls at Loftus to make massive Currie Cup statement

"Except for the motivation (winning the Currie Cup and a result like this brings), we hope there's a big, big sponsor that will come aboard," said Stonehouse afterwards.

"But we're really grateful for the guys helping us currently. Just bringing the community together [since last year's title win] has been fantastic. Winning last year and a result like this really helps the team with their belief.

"It's very important because it's not just something you can assume. The players need to believe that they can win a competition like the Currie Cup because it helps with their aspirations of going to a bigger union and making it there."

And an innocuous Sunday afternoon against pedigreed if vulnerable opponents proved a perfect opportunity.

"I told them this morning: if you can beat the Bulls here in their own backyard, people sit up and take notice. The bigger unions notice you because you're competing at their level."

Yet,