Rugby
Three teams remain unbeaten in SA Cup─── MORGAN PIEK 09:25 Mon, 17 Mar 2025
Only three teams remain unbeaten in the SA Cup following the second round of matches over the weekend – the Suzuki Griquas, Griffons, and Pumas all secured back-to-back wins, while the Cheetahs recorded their first victory.
On Saturday, the defending champions, the Griquas, retained their unbeaten status in the competition with a dominant 68-10 victory over the Valke at the Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley. They led 33-10 at half-time.
Debutant winger Gurshwin Wehr scored a hat-trick of tries for the champions, while hooker Gustav du Rand and wing Dylan Maart each bagged a brace. Captain Marco de Witt, centre Zane Bester, and fullback Cameron Hufke also crossed the whitewash. Young flyhalf Tylor Sefoor slotted five conversions, while veteran George Whitehead added four two-pointers.
The win keeps the Griquas at the top of the log as they now shift their focus to the Border Bulldogs, whom they will face on Friday at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane.
Marco de Witt. Photo: Morgan Piek
Meanwhile, at the Down Touch Investments Stadium in Welkom, the Griffons staged a remarkable comeback from 28-7 down at half-time to stun the Boland Cavaliers in what some may consider an upset.
Simon Westraadt, Andrew Kota, Chris Hollis, Junior Banda, and Lungi Mbiko all scored tries for the Purple People Eaters, sealing a dramatic late win following an outstanding second-half team effort.
Former Springbok, Blitzbok, and Cheetahs winger Cornal Hendricks dotted down for a brace for the visitors, while Ashlon Davids, Keenan Opperman, and Lunathi Nxele also got on the scoresheet. However, it was a costly defeat for Boland as they may have lost Davids – who also slotted five conversions – for an extended period due to a rib injury.
Ross Braude. Photo: Morgan Piek
The Griffons’ victory has put the Cheetahs right back in the mix, as they moved up to fifth place following their emphatic 69-0 drubbing of the Leopards. This week, the Griffons will travel to Potchefstroom for a derby clash against the Leopards, with the Jan Fourie Trophy on the line.
At the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, last year’s runners-up, the Pumas, ran riot with a commanding 61-22 victory over Allister Coetzee’s Eastern Province.
Canadian international scrumhalf Ross Braude bagged a hat-trick of tries for the Lowveld-based side, while former Griquas captain Sango Xamlashe, Wian van Niekerk, Ruwald van der Merwe, Danrich Visagie, and Lundi Msenge also dotted down. Clinton Swart and Visagie each converted five tries as the Pumas secured successive bonus-point wins.
Smiley Nel. Photo: Morgan Piek
The Pumas now turn their attention to the Cheetahs, whom they will face at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Friday night.
On Friday, scrumhalf Jandré Nel scored four tries as the Cheetahs routed the Leopards 69-0 at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein. The captain for the match, Chucky van der Westhuizen, also got on the scoresheet, while the remaining tries came from Banie Britz, Cohen Jasper, Daniel Maartens, Prince Nkabinde, and Raegan Oranje. Jasper also landed seven conversions.
Friday’s showdown between the Pumas and Cheetahs at Mbombela Stadium kicks off at 19:00.
