High drama marks opening round of Pick n Pay Gold Cup

The 2025 Pick n Pay Gold Cup kicked off in spectacular fashion on Saturday, delivering thrilling finishes, edge-of-your-seat moments, and a showcase of South African club rugby at its finest.

From last-gasp penalties to seven-try thrillers, the opening round of the country’s premier knockout competition for non-university clubs – often referred to as the ‘FA Cup’ of South African rugby – provided fans with a weekend to remember.

This year’s tournament carries added prestige with the national retail giant Pick n Pay coming on board as the main sponsor for the first time, in a four-year deal that also makes them Tier 1 sponsors of the world champion Springboks. Northam Platinum continues its support, reflecting its commitment to community initiatives and grassroots rugby development.

In the northern section, defending champions Naka Bulls, 2024 runners-up Northam Rhinos, Pretoria Harlequins, and Northam Wolves all recorded emphatic home wins in the Round of 32. In the south, Villager, Robertson, and College Rovers made equally dominant statements in front of their own fans.

Yet it was the nail-biters that stole the show.

Vereeniging edged Pirates of Johannesburg 39-37 with a penalty after the hooter, while Kruisfontein needed extra time and a try count to advance past SWD’s Heidelberg in a seven-try thriller that ended 33-33 after 80 minutes. In Welkom, Denzel Dhlamini’s last-minute try and Louis Fourie’s composed conversion sealed a 20-18 win over Louis Trichardt, and Centurion narrowly held off White River by the same scoreline in the Lowveld.

Away teams were not to be underestimated, with six road wins decided by fewer than 10 points. Hamilton’s 39-30 victory over East London Police and Villagers Worcester’s 39-32 triumph over Sishen in Kathu underscored the competitiveness across all provinces.

As the Round of 32 concludes, six current or former champions remain in the hunt, promising even more drama in the Round of 16 this coming weekend.

The draw has already produced some mouthwatering derbies. In the South Section, Villager – fresh off a 99-10 demolition of Swallows in Claremont – will host Hamilton in the country’s oldest club derby, boasting a combined 299 years of history between the sides. Villager, Western Province Grand Challenge Cup champions for the first time in 25 years, will be seeking their first national title since 1980.

“This past weekend once again saw how South African rugby teams at all levels respond when the stakes are at their highest,” said SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer. “From the Springboks to clubs in the Pick n Pay Gold Cup, the knockout mentality on display is something we as a rugby nation can be very proud of.”

In the North Section, Naka Bulls aim for a historic hat-trick of Gold Cup titles when they host Louis Trichardt in Pretoria. Vereeniging will also be in action in the capital, taking on Pretoria Harlequins. Northam Platinum-supported sides Wolves and Rhinos face Raiders and Centurion, respectively, in matches expected to keep fans on the edge of their seats.

South Section matchups include College Rovers against Northwood Crusaders in Durban, Gardens versus Kruisfontein in a titanic Eastern Province derby, and Robertson hosting Villagers Worcester in what promises to be another sell-out fixture at the Van Zyl Sports Grounds.

With knockout rugby at its purest, the Pick n Pay Gold Cup is once again proving why it captivates club rugby enthusiasts across South Africa. As the competition intensifies, fans can expect more heart-stopping moments and historic clashes on the road to the national title.

Round of 32 Highlights:

North Section:

• Naka Bulls 66-8 Safcol United
• Northam Rhinos 101-11 Welkom Rovers
• Pretoria Harlequins 64-31 Nelspruit
• Raiders 38-31 Brakpan
• Northam Wolves 48-8 Sibanye
• Vereeniging 39-37 Pirates
• White River 18-20 Centurion
• Welkom Club 18-20 Louis Trichardt

South Section:

• College Rovers 73-12 Bloemfontein Collegians
• Villager 99-10 Swallows
• Groot Brakrivier 23-33 Gardens
• Robertson 62-7 Kimberley
• Sishen 32-39 Villagers Worcester
• Kruisfontein Utd 33-33 Heidelberg (Kruisfontein advance on try count)
• East London Police 30-39 Hamilton
• Bloemfontein Police 21-26 Durban Crusaders

Round of 16 Fixtures – Saturday October 4:

North Section:

• Naka Bulls v Louis Trichardt (Pretoria)
• Northam Rhinos v Centurion (Setaria)
• Pretoria Harlequins v Vereeniging (Pretoria)
• Northam Wolves v Raiders (Hartbeespoort)

South Section:

• College Rovers v Northwood Crusaders (Durban)
• Villager v Hamilton (Cape Town)
• Gardens v Kruisfontein (Kariega)
• Robertson v Villagers Worcester (Robertson)