The Blue Bulls' Carlton Clubs has shown why they are considered the strongest clubs in South Africa. The hard work of the clubs combined with the enthusiasm and support of the Blue Bulls' president Willem Strauss have shown the way for the rest of South Africa how to revive club rugby to its previous glory.
Willem Strauss and Vodacom Bull's shareholder Patrice Motsepe took hands to revive the Gold Cup competition for top non-university clubs after a four-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors, with African Rainbow Capital, Patrice Motsepe, coming on board as the title sponsor to provide the tournament with a new name and identity.
The Northam Wolves had an easy stroll against Whiteriver (47-14) while Northam Rhinos were not in a good mood, scoring seven tries against Bloemfontein Collegians to win 75-07. Carlton Cup champions Naka Bulls had to work extremely hard to beat Union Milnerton 47-46 while HollywoodBets Harlequins had to travel to Welkom to win 59-31 against a more than able Welkom Rovers. The only Carlton Club that could not qualify for the Round of 16 after losing (22-24) to College Rovers in Durban.
Updated African Rainbow Community Gold Cup Results (Saturday, 9 September)
Raiders 43-34 Vereeniging (Johannesburg)
Progress 39-17 Kimberley (Uitenhage)
Crusaders 42-20 Tygerberg (George)
East London Police 37-17 Bella Vista (East London)
Sasol Secunda 58-17 Rustenburg Impala (Secunda)
Welkom Rugby Club 31-59 Harlequins (Welkom)
False Bay 38-17 Heidelberg (Cape Town)
College Rovers 24-22 Centurion (Durban)
Northam Rhinos 75-07 Collegians (Setaria)
Naka Bulle 47-46 Union Milnerton (Pretoria)
Northam Wolves 47-14 White River (Hartbeespoort)
Bloemfontein Police 31-24 Louis Trichardt (Bloemfontein)
Springs 41-11 Pirates (Springs)
Sishen 26-29 PE Harlequins (Kathu)
Wesbank 21-17 Westville Old Boys (Malmesbury)
The Ncera Leopards advanced to the Top 16 following the suspension of Saldanha Bay by the Boland Rugby Union following incidents at a league match on 2 September 2023.
Top 16 Fixtures (15,16,17 September 2023)
According to an informed source, home fixtures are determined by the ranking of the clubs before the competition started. Therefore the club named first should host their Top 16 fixture.
Northam Wolves vs HollywoodBets Harlequins
Northam Rhinos vs Sasol Secunda
Bloemfontein Police vs Raiders
Naka Bulle vs Springs
False Bay vs Wesbank Rugby Club
College Rovers vs Ncera Leopards
Progress Uitenhage vs EL Police
Crusaders vs PE Harlequins
