SA Cup playoff hopes hang in the balance

It will be a case of make or break in the SA Cup this weekend, with a number of pivotal matches for several teams striving to keep alive their dreams of reaching the final.

With a maximum of 10 points at stake in the rest of the competition, five contenders remain in contention for a place in the final on 25 May.

However, after this weekend at least one of these five sides will in all likelihood be out of the playoff picture.

The action commences on Friday when the Toyota Cheetahs, currently in fourth, are up against the struggling Border Bulldogs. A potential five-point triumph could see the Free Staters surge into second place, provided other results align favorably.

The Border Bulldogs will seek solace in home advantage as they strive to upset the Cheetahs and salvage points from a challenging season.

Later on Friday, the second-placed Airlink Pumas lock horns with the fifth-placed Sanlam Boland Kavaliers in an eagerly anticipated showdown in Nelspruit.

For the Pumas, the fixture offers a prime opportunity to rebound from their recent defeat to log leaders Suzuki Griquas, while the Bolanders find themselves in a precarious position, with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread.

The Kavaliers’ path to the top two necessitates nothing short of a flawless 10-point haul from their remaining fixtures (they play EP in the final round), coupled with other results going in their favour.

Saturday’s schedule includes two games, including a duel between the Valke and Leopards in Kempton Park, with both teams eyeing a move up the table from their current eighth and ninth positions.

At the same time, Suzuki Griquas host the Phangela SWD Eagles. Victory for the hosts from Kimberley would consolidate their top spot, which would be crucial as they have a Central Derby in their final league fixture next weekend, in Bloemfontein against the Toyota Cheetahs.

The Eagles will vie for a sixth place finish and they will provide the log leaders with a stern test at Suzuki Stadium, where the visitors will be determined to defy the odds and hand Griquas their first defeat of the season.

Sunday's match sees NovaVit Griffons host Eastern Province, with the Northern Free Staters’ playoff hopes also in the balance.

With just one bonus point separating them from the Airlink Pumas, the Griffons can’t afford to slip up against EP as they still have hopes of securing a playoff berth. Victory for the visitors from Gqeberha can only see them maintain them their position on the log after this weekend's fixtures.

Match information:

Border Bulldogs vs Toyota Cheetahs
Date: Friday, 10 May
Venue: Police Park, East London
Referee: Sean Muller
SA Time: 15h00

Airlink Pumas vs Sanlam Boland Kavaliers
Date: Friday, 10 May
Venue: Mbobela Stadium, Nelspruit
Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys
SA Time: 19h00
TV: SuperSport 209

Valke vs Leopards
Date: Saturday, 11 May
Venue: Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park
Referee: Marius vd Westhuizen
SA Time: 15h00
TV: SuperSport 244

Suzuki Griquas vs Phangela SWD Eagles
Date: Saturday, 11 May
Venue: Suzuki Stadium Kimberley
Referee: Christopher Allison
SA Time: 15h00
TV: SuperSport 245

NovaVit Griffons vs Eastern Province
Date: Sunday, 11 May
Venue: Down Touch Investments Stadium, Welkom
Referee: Morne Ferreira
SA Time: 15h00
TV: SuperSport 211

SA Cup Airlink Pumas Suzuki Griquas NovaVit Griffons Phangela SWD Eagles Toyota Cheetahs Valke Leopards Border Bulldogs Eastern Province Sanlam Boland Kavaliers

Be part of history in Cape Town this December...

In a little over two weeks’ time, Cape Town will yet again throw Rugby’s Biggest Party, when HSBC SVNS returns to the su...

Rescheduled Vodacom URC derbies confirmed...

The new dates for the two opening round Vodacom United Rugby Championship derbies involving the four South African teams...

Bulls and Sharks shine for SA in Vodacom URC...

The Vodacom Bulls and Hollywoodbets Sharks provided a ray of light for South Africa’s teams in the Vodacom United Rugby ...

SA sides gear up for important round before break...

Another gripping round of Vodacom United Rugby Championship action awaits this weekend as the Emirates Lions face their ...

Coastal sides bounce back as Lions remain unbeaten...

The Emirates Lions, Hollywoodbets Sharks, and DHL Stormers made it a Super Saturday for the South African franchises in ...

Springbok Women cruise home against Kenya

The Springbok Women won their second Rugby Africa Women's Cup clash by 63-5 against Kenya on a windy day in Madagascar on Wednesday, remaining on course to defend their African title and book their tickets to the 2025 Rugby World Cup in England.

High stakes as URC heads towards thrilling end

They secured their place in a third successive Investec Champions Cup final last weekend but there will be no opportunity for Leinster to rest on their laurels if they want to be in the pole position they covet at the end of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship season.

Koen pleased with game plan execution

Springbok Women head coach Louis Koen praised his squad for transferring the work they’ve done on the training field to match day in their big victory over Kenya in Madagascar on Wednesday, something they have not always mastered in the past.

Match official appointments to 12 May 2024

Match official appointments for the next few days have been made, with the Vodacom United Rugby Championship back on the schedule with three games in South Africa, while the SA Cup and Women’s Premier Division continue.

Junior Boks go down fighting against Australia

The Junior Springboks suffered a heart-breaking 24-19 defeat against Australia in their second outing in the U20 Rugby Championship at a wet Sunshine Coast Stadium on Tuesday, but showed great fighting spirit until the final whistle despite a red card in the first half.

Experienced Bok Women team to tackle final hurdle

Springbok Women head coach Louis Koen recalled three vastly experienced players to his starting team to face Madagascar in Sunday’s final match of the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup, to be played at Stade Makis in Antananarivo.

Junior Boks shuffle team for Argentina clash

Zachary Porthen resumes the captaincy of a reshuffled Junior Springboks starting line-up for Sunday’s final Under-20 Rugby Championship match against Argentina at the Sunshine Coast Stadium in Bokarina on the eastern seaboard of Queensland in Australia.

Top four on a Premier Division collision course

The top of the table in the Women’s Premier Division can look vastly different by Saturday night when the top four sides collide in what promises to be a very important round of action.

Booi: Focus on game plan to drive Springbok Women

The Springbok Women will run out against Madagascar at Stade Makis in Antananarivo on Sunday with clear focus and clarity on the job at hand and if they can execute, there will be reason to celebrate at the final whistle.

Junior Boks want to finish on a positive note

The Junior Springboks have worked hard to rectify their inconsistencies and mistakes and want to play to their true potential when they face Argentina in their final Under-20 Rugby Championship match on Saturday afternoon at the Sunshine Coast Stadium in Bokarina, Queensland in Australia.