The Northern Unions flexed their muscles in Witbank on Friday next when they gained promotion to the Top 8 of the Currie Cup in trouncing the Boland Cavaliers 40-3.

The result means that all the Northern Unions bar the Valke will play in the Premier Division next season.

The Pumas broke the stranglehold which Boland have had on them in play-off matches in recent years, losing twice to the Cavaliers in 2007 and narrowly in Wellington last Saturday.

It was a night to remember for Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse who signalled the end of the Boland's A-section funeral when he was allowed to activate the siren to signal the end of the game.