Naka Bulls make history with third consecutive Pick n Pay Gold Cup title

The Naka Bulls etched their name in South African club rugby history on Saturday by claiming a third consecutive Pick n Pay Gold Cup crown with a commanding 40–25 victory over Villager at Brookside Sports Ground in Cape Town.

The Blue Bulls Carlton Cup champions were in a class of their own, running in six tries to cap a memorable performance in front of one of the biggest crowds ever seen at the iconic venue. The result marks the first time any club has lifted the Gold Cup three years in succession, drawing Naka level with Rustenburg Impala as the most successful teams in the tournament’s history.

“This was a truly massive occasion for us,” said long-time Naka Bulls director of rugby, Marinus van der Watt. “We wanted to challenge ourselves by playing Villager in Cape Town, and to win away from home after two finals in Pretoria makes this one even more special. I’m so proud of everyone at the club. We are very humbled and thankful to Pick n Pay, Northam Platinum, and SA Rugby for the incredible platform they’ve created.”

The Bulls’ triumph was built on a dominant pack and a man-of-the-match performance from scrumhalf Jack Hart, who scored his eighth try of the tournament. Flyhalf Hansie Graaff contributed 13 points, while tries from JJ Motlhodi, Christo Bezuidenhout, Eckard Boshoff, and a penalty try rounded off a complete team effort.

Villager, the Western Province Super League A champions, showed plenty of fight in the closing stages, crossing for three late tries through Nkosi Nofuma (two) and Graham Thompson, but by then Naka’s relentless tempo had sealed the result.

Villager coach Andy Coetzee was gracious in defeat. “Naka Bulls are an incredible side and it was just not to be. But I’m immensely proud of what our team achieved this season, including winning the Western Province title for the first time in 25 years and beating Hamilton four times.

"Given where this club was a few years ago, finishing as the number-two team in South Africa is something to celebrate.”

The clash was the first-ever meeting between these two powerhouse clubs, a fixture billed as the club version of the country’s classic North-South rivalry, and it lived up to the hype.

SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer hailed the 2025 tournament as a landmark moment for community rugby. “The standard of play was exceptional, and the fan engagement phenomenal. The partnership with Pick n Pay and Northam Platinum has reignited the spirit of the Gold Cup, and I can’t wait to see how we take it to the next level in 2026.”

With three consecutive national titles now behind them, the Naka Bulls are already setting their sights on what Van der Watt calls “a new Everest”, and few would bet against them conquering it.