Suzuki Griquas reigned supreme in their top-of-the-table SA Cup clash with the Airlink Pumas when they defeated the defending champions on Sunday to remain unbeaten in 2026, while there were also important victories for the Dotsure SWD Eagles, Sanlam Boland Kavaliers, Eastern Province, and the Valke.
In a high-stakes clash between the SA Cup’s top two sides, Griquas maintained their unbeaten streak with a hard-fought 44-34 victory over the Pumas at Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley on Sunday afternoon. The result keeps the men from the Northern Cape firmly at the summit of the log, while the defending champions from Mpumalanga remain just one point ahead of the chasing pack, led by the Eagles.
SWD maintained their good form by outplaying the Griffons 45-24 in their Saturday afternoon outing in George, while in Kempton Park on the East Rand, the Valke outplayed the Toyota Cheetahs 43–36 in an exciting encounter at the Barnard Stadium to keep alive their slim hopes of reaching the playoffs.
On Friday, the Kavaliers moved back into semi-final contention with a convincing 33-12 success over Leopards in Potchefstroom, and in the Eastern Cape derby in Gqeberha, Eastern Province gained only their second win this season by trumping Border 71-14 in their seventh-round clash.
The weekend’s result keeps Griquas firmly at the summit of the log with 35 points from their seven wins, while the defending champion Pumas are second on 28, just one point ahead of the chasing pack, led by SWD in third on 27 points, while the Kavaliers are in fourth on 25, the same number of points as the Cheetahs, whose points’ difference is slightly worse.
The Valke are in sixth on 19 points, followed by EP (12), the Griffons (11), Leopards (7) and Border (0). The top four teams at the end of the single round of league action will play in the semi-finals, whilst also qualifying for the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division.
In next weekend’s penultimate round, three games will be staged on Saturday and two on Sunday afternoon.
All three Saturday games are scheduled to start at 15h00: high-flying Griquas host SWD in Kimberley, the Valke welcome the Leopards to Kempton Park, and EP travel to Welkom to take on the Griffons.
On Sunday, the Pumas host Boland in Nelspruit, and Border are at home against the Cheetahs, with both matches also kicking off at 15h00.
In their clash in Kimberley, Suzuki Griquas maintained their unbeaten streak with a hard-fought 44-34 victory over the Airlink Pumas after holding a narrow 19-15 lead at the interval following tries from Tiaan Lange, Dylan Maart, and Albert Liebenberg. The Pumas remained in striking distance through first-half scores by Thomas Bursey and Jay Cee Nel.
The second half saw the momentum swing repeatedly. Nel’s second try briefly put the visitors ahead, but Griquas responded immediately through Carel van der Merwe and Caleb Abrahams.
Despite a Pumas fightback with tries from Tiaan de Klerk and Sango Xamlashe, George Whitehead’s accurate goal kicking and a late try from Janco Uys finally sealed the win for the home side.
The Dotsure SWD Eagles produced a clinical attacking display to outscore the Griffons by 45–24 at Outeniqua Park on Saturday afternoon, consolidating their position in the top four on the log.
The Eagles built a solid platform in the opening stanza, going into the break with a 19-10 advantage. Tries by Nico Leonard and Rosco Syster, along with a powerful finish from Dylan de Leeuw, gave the hosts control, while Fred Zeilinga added two conversions. The Griffons remained in touch through a penalty goal by Dehovine Johannes and a late try from Larren Buys, converted by Johannes.
The home side turned the screws after the break, running in four more tries as their forward pack and backline combined effectively. Jaco Bezuidenhout crashed over early in the second half, before Syster completed his brace. Janus Venter and Matthew Sekele also crossed as Zeilinga kept the scoreboard moving with his accurate goal-kicking.
Veteran Simon Westraadt scored twice off the bench for the Griffons and Johannes added the conversions, but the Eagles’ consistency proved decisive.
The Valke caused a minor upset when they edged the Toyota Cheetahs 43–36 in a thrilling encounter in the Barnard Stadium on Saturday afternoon, overturning a halftime deficit to claim a memorable home victory.
The visitors were on top in the opening half and went into the break leading by 24–14, although the Valke struck first through Godfrey Muzanargwo, with Sergio Stalmeester converting. The Cheetahs hit back with tries by Louis van der Westhuizen, Marco Janse van Vuren, Michael Annies and Ethan Wentzel, while Jaco van der Walt’s two conversions gave the Bloemfontein side a 10-point cushion at halftime.
The Valke showed impressive resolve after the restart, with Stalmeester producing a masterclass off the tee and with ball in hand, crossing for two tries and adding four conversions as the home side swung momentum their way. Further tries from Kayden Kiewit, Dirk Lourens and Mosolwa Mafuma kept the pressure on a Cheetahs side that continued to threaten through Ethan Wentzel and Juan Venter.
A late penalty goal by Tylor Sefoor proved decisive as Valke held firm in the closing stages to seal a high‑scoring win.
The Sanlam Boland Kavaliers powered to a convincing 33–12 victory over the Leopards at Olen Park on Friday night, backing up their growing momentum in the SA Cup.
Boland laid the platform in a dominant first half, going to the break with a 19–7 advantage. Jade Stighling opened the scoring and Jayden Bantom struck soon after, with both tries converted by James Tedder.
The Leopards responded through Naiden Jaarts, whose try was converted by Jandre Burger, but Boland had the final say of the half when Domenic Smit crossed shortly before the interval.
The Kavaliers continued to dictate terms in the second half, stretching their lead as Smit, Dewald Maritz and Duren Hoffman all dotted down. Bantom added the extras to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Despite losing Brandon Keevy and Werner Geldenhuys to the sin bin in the second half, the Leopards showed some resistance when Ghudian van Reenen finished strongly from close range, but it proved little more than consolation against a clinical Boland outfit.
Eastern Province were ruthless in their 71–14 victory over the Border Bulldogs at the Madibaz Stadium on Friday afternoon, after leading 26-7 at halftime.
Tries from Kamvelihle Fatyela and Mpho Ntsane ensured EP took firm control before the break, with Simthembile Zozi providing the visitors’ lone first-half bright spark.
EP shifted gears in the second stanza, increasing the tempo and cashing in on territorial dominance. Ntsane completed a hat-trick, while Fatyela added a third of his own as the hosts’ pack laid the platform. Troy Delport’s impact in the second half and accurate goal-kicking from Garth April pushed the scoreline beyond reach.
For Border, Zozi’s brace offered resistance but little relief as EP ran in 11 tries for their second win of the season.
Scorers:
Suzuki Griquas 44 (19), Airlink Pumas 34 (15)
Griquas – Tries: Tiaan Lange, Dylan Maart, Albert Liebenberg, Carel van der Merwe, Caleb Abrahams, Janco Uys. Conversions: George Whitehead (4). Penalty goals: Whitehead (2).
Pumas – Tries: Jay Cee Nel (2), Thomas Bursey, Tiaan de Klerk, Sango Xamlashe. Conversions: Nevaldo Fleurs (2), Clinton Swart. Penalty goal: Swart.
Valke 43 (14), Toyota Cheetahs 36 (24)
Valke – Tries:**** Sergio Stalmeester (2), Godfrey Muzanargwo, Mosolwa Mafuma, Kayden Kiewit, Dirk Lourens. Conversions: Stalmeester (4), Tylor Sefoor. Penalty goal: Sefoor.
Cheetahs – Tries:**** Ethan Wentzel (2), Louis van der Westhuizen, Marco Janse van Vuren, Michael Annies, Juan Venter. Conversions: Jaco van der Walt (3).
Dotsure SWD Eagles 45 (19), Griffons 24 (10)
Eagles – Tries: Rosco Syster (2), Nico Leonard, Dylan de Leeuw, Jaco Bezuidenhout, Janus Venter, Matthew Sekele. Conversions: Fred Zeilinga (5).
Griffons – Tries: Simon Westraadt (2), Larren Buys. Conversions: Dehovine Johannes (3). Penalty goal: Johannes.
Leopards 12 (7), Sanlam Boland Kavaliers 33 (19)
Leopards – Tries:**** Naiden Jaarts, Ghudian van Reenen. Conversion: Jandre Burger.
Boland – Tries:**** Jade Stighling, Jayden Bantom, Domenic Smit, Dewald Maritz, Duren Hoffman. Conversions: James Tedder (2) Bantom (2).
Eastern Province 71 (26), Border 14 (7)
EP – Tries: Kamvelihle Fatyela (3), Mpho Ntsane (3), Troy Delport (2), Richman Gora, Willem van der Walt, Jaydon Bantom. Conversions: Garth April (5), Maxwell Klaasen (3).
Border – Tries: Simthembile Zozi (2). Conversions: Isiphe Mbini, Lukhangele Tshayi