All systems go for 2025 Pick n Pay Gold Cup

The stage is set for one of South Africa’s most prestigious community rugby competitions, the 2025 Pick n Pay Gold Cup, which kicks off on Saturday, 27 September.

SA Rugby on Monday confirmed the 32 participating teams and the first-round fixtures for the national knockout championship for non-university clubs. This year’s tournament carries extra weight, not only because it celebrates 50 years since the first national club championship in 1975, but also due to a landmark four-year sponsorship agreement with retail giant Pick n Pay, who are now Tier 1 sponsors of the Springboks.

The Gold Cup has long been described as the “FA Cup” of South African rugby, and this year’s edition promises to be among the toughest ever. Hamilton-Sea Point, who are celebrating their 150th anniversary this year, and Villager, who will mark theirs in 2026, booked their places in the tournament after advancing to the Western Province Super League A final this past weekend. Their inclusion ensures that two of the country’s oldest clubs will join a star-studded line-up that features no fewer than seven current or former national champions.

Among them are two-time defending champions Naka Bulls, who will be hunting a historic hat-trick of titles. Their challenge will be anything but easy, with powerhouse clubs such as Pretoria Harlequins, Crusaders from Durban, College Rovers, and Johannesburg’s Pirates all in the hunt to lift the coveted nine-carat golden trophy on 27 October.

The 32 teams have been divided into North and South sections, with the winners of each section set to face off in the grand final. For fans, the format means knockout rugby every weekend for five straight weeks, a recipe for drama and upsets.

“Knockout rugby is baked into South African rugby players’ DNA and it is something that resonates deeply with fans at all levels,” said SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer. “We are thrilled to have Pick n Pay on board as naming-rights sponsors at a time when community rugby is showing unprecedented growth.”

The tournament will open with defending champions Naka Bulls hosting Boland wildcard Safcol United in Pretoria. From there, 15 other fixtures will unfold across the country, bringing rugby action to all communities.

With tradition, pride, and the promise of glory at stake, the 2025 Pick n Pay Gold Cup is set to deliver a feast of grassroots rugby at its finest.

Confirmed teams by provincial union:

North section:

Defending champions: Naka Bulls

Tournament wildcard: Safcol United

Bulls: Pretoria Harlequins, Centurion

Limpopo: Northam Rhinos, Louis Trichardt

Leopards: Northam Wolves, Sibanye

Lions: Raiders, Pirates

Valke: Vereeniging, Brakpan

Pumas: White River, Nelspruit

Griffons: Welkom Rugby Club, Welkom Rovers

South section:

KZN: College Rovers, Crusaders

WP: Villager, Hamilton

SWD: Groot Brakrivier, Heidelberg

Boland: Robertson, Villagers Worcester

Griquas: Sishen, Kimberley

EP: Kruisfontein Utd, Gardens

Border: East London Police, Swallows

Free State: Bloemfontein Police, Bloemfontein Collegians

Round of 32 Fixtures

Saturday 27 September (home teams named first, kick-off times TBC, seedings in brackets):

North section:

Naka Bulls (1) v Safcol Utd (16)

Northam Rhinos (2) v Welkom Rovers (15)

Pretoria Harlequins (3) v Nelspruit (14)

Raiders (4) v Brakpan (13)

Northam Wolves (5) v Sibanye (12)

Vereeniging (6) v Pirates (11)

White River (7) v Centurion (10)

Welkom Rugby Club (8) v Louis Trichardt (9)

South section:

College Rovers (1) v Bloemfontein Collegians (16)

Villager (2) v Swallows (15)

Groot Brakrivier (3) v Gardens (14)

Robertson (4) v Kimberley (13)

Sishen (5) v Villagers Worcester (12)

Kruisfontein Utd (6) v Heidelberg (11)

East London Police (7) v Hamilton (10)

Bloemfontein Police (8) v Durban Crusaders (9)