College Rovers, Helderberg and Northam Rhinos stormed to big wins in the African Rainbow Community Gold Cup Round of 16, and will host quarter-finals this coming weekend, with matches taking place in Durban, Strand, Setaria and Pretoria.
Rovers, last year’s runners up, romped to a 70-32 win over Safcol United in Durban on Sunday. The hosts ran away with game in the second stanza, with Inny Radebe (flyhalf) contributing 25 points, and Onke Jibe (wing) scoring two of his team’s 10 tries.
Rovers will host Louis Trichardt in the quarter-finals this weekend. The Limpopo-based club progressed to the last eight courtesy of a 29-19 win against Sasol Secunda, thanks in large to centre Rasenda Kubayi’s hat-trick.
Helderberg claimed a resounding 38-0 win over Kimberley in Strand this past Saturday to book their place in the next round. Scrumhalf Michael Visser finished the contest with 18 points, after scoring two tries and kicking four conversions.
Helderberg will host Centurion in the quarter-finals, after the Bulls club beat Springs 59-34 in the Round of 16, with the tournament’s leading point-scorer, Gaybrin Smith, adding 14 points to his tally (45).
Leading-try scorer Elzandro Fredericks boosted his record from four to seven in the Northam Rhinos’ 55-19 win over Pirates in Setaria. The Rhinos will host Groot-Brakrivier in the quarter-finals, after the Western Cape side edged Capital Legacy Crusaders 21-15 in Durban this past Saturday.
Meanwhile, Northam Wolves fought tooth and nail for a 48-40 win against Tuine in Hartebeespoort. The hosts led 35-12 at half-time, before Tuine hit back in the second stanza.
Tuine flyhalf Rodwill Baatjies’ 25-point haul proved to be in vain, as Wolves secured victory as well as a place in the next round, where they will meet defending champions Naka Bulle.
Naka Bulle beat Sishen 107-0 on the opening weekend of the tournament but sat out of the Round of 16 after Hamilton’s and Gardens – their prospective opponents last weekend – were disqualified for fielding ineligible players.
All four quarter-finals are scheduled to kick-off on Saturday afternoon and live streaming on the SuperSport Schools app and website will be confirmed.
Round of 16 results
Capital Legacy Crusaders 15, Groot-Brakrivier 21
Centurion 59, Springs 34
Helderberg 38, Kimberley Rugby Club 0
Northam Rhinos 55, Pirates 19
Northam Wolves 48, Tuine 40
College Rovers 70, Safcol United 32
Louis Trichardt 29, Sasol Secunda 19
Quarter-final fixtures
3pm: College Rovers v Louis Trichardt (Hollywoodbets Kings Park 3, Durban)
3.30pm: Helderberg v Centurion (Charles Morkel Stadium, Strand)
4pm: Northam Rhinos v Groot-Brakrivier (Setaria Recreation Club, Setaria)
4pm: Naka Bulle v Northam Wolves (Naka Bulle Rugbyklub, Pretoria)
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