Crunch time: SA Cup play-off race intensifies

The Airlink Pumas produced a thrilling performance to topple the previously unbeaten Suzuki Griquas 39-35 in Nelspruit on Friday evening, surging to the top of the SA Cup standings as the race for Carling Currie Cup Premier Division qualification heats up.

In a fiercely contested encounter at Mbombela Stadium, the Pumas scored five tries, with Sango Xamlashe and Lundi Msenge each grabbing a brace. Clinton Swart delivered a pivotal performance, racking up 19 points through a try, four conversions, and two penalty goals to hand the Pumas their first win over their arch-rivals in three attempts.

The defending champions, Griquas, who had swept all before them so far this season, fought hard with Cameron Hufke crossing the line twice and George Whitehead contributing a try, three conversions, and a penalty. 

Despite two late chances to snatch victory, the Kimberley outfit ultimately suffered their first defeat since the competition’s inception last year.

With the play-offs looming and just two rounds left, the Pumas now lead the standings on 35 points, three ahead of Griquas.

Cheetahs, Kavaliers and Griffons strengthen their play-off push

In Bloemfontein, the Toyota Cheetahs solidified third place with a commanding 59-17 win over the Valke. The hosts ran in nine tries, including a hat-trick from the impressive Michael Annies and doubles from Cohen Jasper and Marko Janse van Rensburg. Jasper also slotted seven conversions to cap a dominant display.

Meanwhile, in Wellington, the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers unleashed a devastating attacking performance, annihilating the Leopards 80-0. The Kavaliers raced to a 33-0 halftime lead and showed no mercy after the break, racking up a further 47 points. Xavier Mitchell dazzled with a hat-trick, while Godlen Masimla added two tries. Kickers James Tedder and Ashlon Davids combined for 10 conversions to complete the rout.

The NovaVit Griffons also kept their play-off hopes alive with a convincing 57-27 triumph over the Phangela SWD Eagles in Welkom. The Griffons capitalised on the Eagles’ ill-discipline – four yellow cards – to rack up nine tries, with Andrew Kota starring again with two tries and six conversions.

Despite the Eagles’ best efforts, including tries from Sachin Toring and others, their poor discipline proved costly as the Griffons stayed level on points with the Kavaliers but hold fifth place due to an inferior points differential.

EP Dominates Border in Eastern Cape Derby

Earlier on Friday, Eastern Province claimed bragging rights in the Eastern Cape Derby by dispatching the Border Bulldogs 41-15 at Police Park in East London. EP controlled proceedings from the outset, leading 17-3 at halftime thanks to tries from the dangerous Rodney Damons and others.

Damons completed a hat-trick, while No.8 Diego Williams powered over for a brace. Despite a spirited second-half effort that produced tries for Sakhe Dingile and Hlumelo Zitha, the Bulldogs fell to their seventh defeat of the campaign.

With everything still to play for, the penultimate round promises even more drama as teams jostle for precious semi-final spots and the chance to secure a berth in the Premier Division.

Penultimate Round Fixtures:

Friday

(George, 6pm):Phangela SWD Eagles vs Suzuki Griquas 

Saturday (3pm kick-offs):

(Wellington): Sanlam Boland Kavaliers vs Airlink Pumas 

(Potchefstroom): Leopards vs Valke 

(Bloemfontein): Toyota Cheetahs vs Border Bulldogs 

(Gqeberha): Eastern Province vs NovaVit Griffons