The 2025 SA Cup will attract significant attention this season, as only the Bulls, Lions, Sharks, and Stormers (Western Province) are guaranteed places in the Currie Cup Premier Division. The Cheetahs, Griffons, Suzuki Griquas, and Pumas will also have to qualify. However, one of these teams may end up playing in the First Division, as the Boland Cavaliers are expected to be serious contenders this season.

Even Eastern Province, now coached by former Springbok and Stormers tactician Allister Coetzee, could spring a major surprise. The top four teams in the SA Cup will qualify to play in the Currie Cup, adding even more excitement to the competition.

Cheetahs vs. Boland in 2024. Photo: Morgan Piek

The Cheetahs will travel to Wellington in the first round to take on Hawies Fourie’s Boland Cavaliers. Fourie has recruited well during the off-season, and the Cavaliers recently beat a Stormers XV convincingly in a warm-up game.

The Cheetahs are struggling with several injuries, and while some players have returned, centre Carel-Jan Coetzee has become their latest casualty and will require knee surgery after an injury.

No scheduling conflict

A week later, the Cheetahs will face the Leopards, coached by Matthew Proudfoot, in a Central South African derby in Bloemfontein for their first home game of the year.

Then it’s off to Nelspruit, where they will play the Pumas at the Mbombela Stadium. The Pumas, last year’s losing finalists, will be eager to make a strong statement. In 2024, the Pumas thrashed a makeshift Cheetahs team 50–0 in Bloemfontein while the Cheetahs’ first-choice players were competing in the EPCR Challenge Cup. This season, the Cheetahs don’t have that scheduling conflict, but injuries remain a significant challenge.

The versatile Marko Janse van Vuren may have to be considered at centre for the SA Cup. Photo: Morgan Piek

In the first four rounds, the Cheetahs will play three away matches, including one against Eastern Province in Gqeberha. However, they will enjoy four consecutive home games later in the tournament. Ironically, all their away matches are against some of the strongest teams, with their final round-robin game against the Griquas in Kimberley.

That said, if the Cheetahs win all their home games – which they should – they’ll be well-positioned to finish in the top four and qualify for the Premier Division. An away win or two would certainly boost their campaign.

The SA Cup is scheduled to kick off on the weekend of 7–9 March.

Cheetahs fixtures:

8 March – 15:00 Boland Cavaliers vs Cheetahs – Wellington

14 March – 18:00 Cheetahs vs Leopards – Bloemfontein

21 March – 19:00 Pumas vs Cheetahs – Nelspruit

29 March – 15:00 Eastern Province vs Cheetahs – Gqeberha

5 April – 15:00 Cheetahs vs Griffons – Bloemfontein

12 April – 15:00 Cheetahs vs SWD Eagles – Bloemfontein

26 April – 15:00 Cheetahs vs Valke – Bloemfontein

3 May – 15:00 Cheetahs vs Border Bulldogs – Bloemfontein

10 May – 15:00 Griquas vs Cheetahs – Kimberley

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg