Frontrunners pull away from chasing pack in SA Cup

The Airlink Pumas and Suzuki Griquas pulled away from the chasing pack in the SA Cup with resounding wins in their sixth-round fixtures over the weekend, while the Toyota Cheetahs moved up the log after a good away win in George.

The Pumas beat the Leopards 85-0 in Nelspruit on Friday evening and on Saturday, Griquas recorded their sixth straight win when they defeated EP 52-9 in Gqeberha, the Valke beat the Griffons by 68-36 in Welkom, the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers outplayed Border 74-5 in Wellington and the Cheetahs came from behind to down the Dotsure SWD Eagles 26-17 in George.

The outcome of the weekend’s round of league fixtures sees the unbeaten Griquas out in front with 30 league points, followed by defending champions Pumas three points back in second place on 27.

The Cheetahs are sitting third on 23 points, one ahead of fourth-placed SWD (22). Boland are currently just outside the play-offs on 20 points, with the leading quintet followed by the Valke (14), Griffons (11), EP and Leopards (7 apiece) and winless Border (0).

The coming weekend sees the third last round of league games. EP kick-off the weekend programme when they host Eastern Cape rivals Border from 5pm on Friday. That game is followed by another Friday evening fixture in Potchefstroom, between the Leopards and Boland (6.30pm).

In the three Saturday encounters, all starting at 3pm, SWD meet the Griffons in George, the Valke entertain the Cheetahs in Kempon Park, and there is a top-of-the-table clash in Kimberley between Griquas and the Pumas.

The four top teams after the single round of fixtures qualify for the semi-finals and automatic entry to the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division.

The Pumas produced a ruthless display in Mbombela on Friday night, overpowering Leopards in their encounter to remain firmly in the hunt for a home semi-final.

The Pumas laid the platform early, scoring six tries in a dominant first half to establish a 40-0 lead at the break. Gustav du Rand struck twice, while Jay‑Cee Nel, Dalvon Blood, Wian van Niekerk and Andre Fouché also crossed as the Pumas capitalised on sustained pressure and quick ball.

There was no let-up after the interval as Pumas captain Willie Engelbrecht powered over twice, Ruwald van der Merwe added another and Jan‑Henning Campher joined the scoresheet. Former Blitzbok speedster Blood completed his hat-trick in the final moments to cap a clinical team performance.

The Valke delivered a significant blow to Griffons’ top‑four aspirations with a commanding victory on Saturday in Welkom, where the hosts made a flying start through early tries by Chris Hollis, Dehovine Johannes and Mingo Piti, building early momentum.

However, the Valke responded strongly, with Wernich Aucamp and Ezrick Alexander keeping the scoreboard ticking. Two clinical finishes by Zeilinga Strydom and a powerful effort from Zander van der Merwe helped the visitors surge ahead before the break.

A turning point arrived just before halftime when Griffons hooker Simon Westraadt was shown a straight red card, leaving the hosts a man down for the remainder of the match and the Valke immediately capitalised, extending their lead through Sergio Stalmeester to take a 33-19 advantage into the break.

Despite spirited efforts from Ngia Selengbe, Chad Tshimanga and Cassie Botes in the second half, the numerical disadvantage told and the Valke continued with further tries from Tiaan Jonker, Musa Tshabalala, Theuns Pretorius and Marco Fuhri sealing a decisive result.

A ruthless and polished performance from the Kavaliers saw them overwhelm the Border Bulldogs in their encounter at the Boland Stadium on Saturday as the hosts kept their top‑four push firmly on track.

Boland wasted no time asserting dominance, racing into an early lead with four tries inside the opening 23 minutes to secure the bonus point. Speedsters Xavier Mitchell and Joshua Eras were at the forefront of the onslaught, each grabbing a brace in the first half, with Mitchell ultimately finishing the match with an impressive four‑try haul.

The Kavaliers’ superiority was evident across the park as they outscored their visitors by 12 tries to one, blending power up front with clinical execution out wide. James Tedder slotted four of five first‑half conversions to make the half-time lead 33-5.

Boland resumed proceedings with the same intensity after the interval, Mitchell completing his hat‑trick within the opening minute of the second half. Jayden Bantom crossed for his second try, while Sibusiso Sangweni, Bentley Geldenhuys, Jurick Lewis and Sidney Tobias all added to the scoreline, with the veteran hooker having the final say, crashing over for Boland’s 12th try.

The Cheetahs’ bench provided the spark for their win over the Dotsure SWD Eagles in George on Saturday.

The hosts led 12-5 at half-time and that became 17-5 in the second half but the introduction of the Free Staters’ bench in the second period led to three converted maul tries, enabling them to seal a crucial away win.

Former Junior Bok hooker Juan Smal came off the bench and made a telling impression with two tries to thwart the Eagles’ intention of a fifth win in six league games.

Earlier, tries by Marko Janse van Rensburg and Ulrich Stander levelled the scores at 5-5. However, Cheetahs were in trouble when Neels Volschenk and Tielman Nieuwoudt were yellow carded.

Stander made up for his earlier card indiscretion with a maul try to make the score 12-5 and then Kyle Cyster increased the home advantage to 17-5 with his try but the Eagles then received their second yellow when Niel Beukes was sanctioned and tries from Smal (his second) and Marco Janse van Vuuren rescued the tie for the Cheetahs.

Griquas underlined their status as SA Cup title contenders with a commanding victory over Eastern Province at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, pulling clear with a dominant second‑half display.

The visitors made a strong start when Cameron Hufke crossed in the fourth minute, with Liam Koen adding the conversion. EP settled and stayed in contention through the boot of Maxwell Klaasen, who slotted three penalties to keep the hosts within five points at 14-9 at the break. While the half-time scoreline suggested a competitive contest, momentum swung decisively after the interval.

The men from Kimberley lifted their intensity and capitalised clinically on sustained pressure, striking eight tries in total as EP struggled to contain the visitors’ pace and physicality. Keagan Blanckenberg and Hufke struck early in the second half, before tries from Sako Makata, Carel van der Merwe, Dylan Maart and Gurshwin Wehr followed as Griquas stretched the defence across the width of the field.

Scores

Airlink Pumas 85 (40), Leopards 0

Pumas – Tries: Dalvon Blood (3), Gustav du Rand (2), Willie Engelbrecht (2), Jay-Cee Nel, Andre Fouché, Wian van Niekerk, Ruwald van der Merwe, Msenge, Campher. Conversions: Nevaldo Fleurs (9), Nel.

Griffons 36 (19), Valke 68 (33)

Griffons - Tries: Chris Hollis, Dehovine Johannes, Mingo Piti, Ngia Selengbe, Chad Tshimanga, Cassie Botes. Conversions: Keegan Schaefer (2), Johannes.

Valke - Tries: Zeilinga Strydom (2), Wernich Aucamp, Ezrick Alexander, Zander van der Merwe, Sergio Stalmeester, Tiaan Jonker, Musa Tshabalala, Theuns Pretorius, Marco Fuhri. Conversions: Stalmeester (6), Mbembe Payi (2), Tylor Sefoor.

Sanlam Boland Kavaliers 74 (33), Border Bulldogs 5 (5)

Boland – Tries: Xavier Mitchell (4), Joshua Eras (2), Jayden Bantom (2), Sibusiso Sangweni, Bentley Geldenhuys, Jurick Lewis, Sidney Tobias. Conversions: James Tedder (7).

Border - Try: Lonwabo Rawana.

Dotsure SWD Eagles 17 (12), Toyota Cheetahs 26 (5)

SWD – Tries: Ulrich Stander (2), Kyle Cyster. Conversion: Fred Zeilinga.

Cheetahs – Tries: Marko Janse van Rensburg, Juan Smal (2), Marco Janse van Vuren. Conversions: Jaco van der Walt (3).

Eastern Province 9 (9), Suzuki Griquas 52 (14)

EP – Penalties: Maxwell Klaasen (3).

Griquas – Tries: Cameron Hufke (2), Dylan Maart, Sako Makata, Keagan Blanckenberg, Carel van der Merwe, Gurshwin Wehr, Penalty Try. Conversions: George Whitehead (3), Liam Koen (2).