The final four clubs in the Pick n Pay Gold Cup have been confirmed after an action-packed quarter-final weekend in the ‘FA Cup’ of South African club rugby, which included electric performances on the field in the South section and a literal lightning display off it in the North.
The country’s pre-eminent knockout championship for non-university clubs – which is sponsored by the national retail chain for the second time as part of a four-year agreement – is also supported by Northam Platinum, whose commitment to community aligns with the grassroots spirit of the Pick n Pay Gold Cup.
The semi-final line-up was only confirmed on Sunday afternoon after Saturday’s fourth quarter-final, between Brakpan (Valke) and Northam Platinum Rhinos (Limpopo) at Bosman Stadium in Ekurhuleni, was called off after less than 15 minutes due to a lightning storm over the East Rand, with Brakpan leading 7-5.
With the skies darkening and no prospects of continuing, both sides agreed to replay the match on Sunday, with Rhinos, coached by former Bulls boss Nollis Marais, scoring six tries to run out 46-33 winners and so set up a repeat of their 2025 semi-final against title-holders, Sanlam Naka Bulls.
The three-time defending champions, who are looking to win what would be an unprecedented fourth straight Gold Cup title, overcame a spirited Randfontein (Lions) side 45-37 in an 11-try nail-biter, which included a hat-trick for No 8 Lohan Potgieter, to earn themselves a ticket to Bushveld Park in Limpopo for what has become the ultimate grudge match in South African club rugby.
The South section was just as intriguing, with former champions Durbanville-Bellville and College Rovers delivering statement performances to set up a tantalising semi-final in Durban.
Durbell, who won the 2015 Gold Cup against all odds after entering the-then 20-team tournament through a back-door repechage tournament – and thus as the lowest-ranked team – beat Roses United (Boland) 52-17 at a packed Pelikaan Park in Wellington, with fullback Grant Hermanus scoring 15 points.
However, Durbies’ seven-try victory was not enough to secure a home semi-final as Rovers – the winners of the last-ever national club championship in 2012 before the advent of the Gold Cup era – easily surpassed the Capetonians’ 35-point winning margin with a 10-try, 64-0 dismantling of Gardens (EP) at Kings Park that saw both centre Kyle Theron and replacement Marco Palvie cross for a brace.
“We are well and truly at the business end of the tournament, and I think it is fair to say that, in one of the most competitive Gold Cups ever, the four best sides have made it through,” said SA Rugby CEO, Rian Oberholzer.
“Just when you think things couldn’t get any more dramatic, the weather gods had other ideas, and the drama went up another level. But that’s club rugby for you: both clubs in Brakpan simply shook hands, agreed to resume hostilities on Sunday, and spent Saturday evening socialising.
“This was the true spirit of club rugby in action and it’s something that is deeply embedded into rugby communities across the land. It’s this positive spirit and resilient attitude that has ensured club rugby is still thriving in South Africa 151 years after the first clubs were established, and I once again must take my hat off to our tournament sponsors, Pick n Pay and Northam Platinum, for buying into the unique culture and vibe of community rugby. I’m not sure what will happen in the semi-finals but I can guarantee it will be memorable.”
Quarter-final scorers:
North Section:
Sanlam Naka Bulls 45 (26) Randfontein 37 (27)
Naka Bulls – Tries: Lohan Potgieter (3), Stephan Vermeulen, Xavier Human, Zandré Kruger. Conversions: Hansie Graaf (3). Penalties: Graaf (3).
Randfontein – Tries: Michael Tolmay, Morné Piater, Louis Smit, Barend Steyn, Senzo Hlatshwayo. Conversions: Keagan Fortune (3). Penalties: Fortune (2).
Brakpan 33 (14) Northam Platinum Rhinos 46 (28)
Brakpan – Tries: Clayton Gindan, Luan van Tonder, Tjaart Scheepers, Banele Kutumela, penalty try. Conversions: Scheepers (3).
Rhinos – Tries: Lelo Mrwebi, Chaney Willemse, Yamkela Mzozoyana, Hanno du Toit (2), Eldred James. Conversions: Jaylen James (5). Penalty: James. Drop goal: Johnny Welthagen.
South Section:
Roses United 17 (5) Durbanville-Bellville 52 (28)
Roses Utd – Tries: Keano Cookson, Asha Zeeman, Jason Fortuin. Conversion: Zeeman.
Durbell – Tries: Adriaan Staples, Stewart Jacobs, Hanno Jordaan, George Olivier, Keegan Joubert, Jannis Voulgarelis, penalty try. Conversions: Grant Hermanus (6). Penalty: Hermanus.
College Rovers 64 (31) Gardens 0
Rovers – Tries: Senzo Mabuza, Torbyn Visser, Kyle Theron (2), Ian de Fouw, Conrad Botha, Marco Palvie (2), Malcolm Cele, Cliven Loubser. Conversions: JP du Preez (4), Duran Krummeck (3).
Gardens – 0
Semi-final fixtures, Sat 17 October:
14h00: C. Steinweg College Rovers v Durbanville-Bellville (Kings Park, Durban)
16h00: Northam Platinum Rhinos v Sanlam Naka Bulls (Bushveld Park, Setaria)