Suzuki Griquas and the Airlink Pumas were on the winning side in the weekend’s fourth-round SA Cup fixtures, while there were also solid wins for the Dotsure SWD Eagles, Toyota Cheetahs and a first of the season for the Leopards.
Griquas strengthened their charge toward a home semifinal and a prized berth in the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division with a commanding 71–7 victory over the Griffons in Kimberley on Saturday afternoon.
In George, SWD produced their best result of the campaign so far to clinch a deserving 33-24 win in handing the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers their first defeat of the season.
In Bloemfontein, the Cheetahs easily outclassed Eastern Province by 52-19 at Shimla Park as they bagged their second win in four starts, while the Leopards claimed their first win with a composed 31–14 victory over Border at Olen Park in Potchefstroom, in a clash between two sides desperate to break their winless run.
The Pumas wrapped the weekend’s action when they defeated Valke by 42-36 in their Sunday afternoon clash in Nelspruit.
The weekend’s results mean Griquas remain in pole position on 20 points, three clear of SWD and the Pumas (both on 17 points), while Boland fell to fourth on 15 points, two ahead of fourth-placed Cheetahs.
The leading quartet are followed by the Cheetahs on 12 points, Griffons (10), Valke (seven), Leopards (six), EP (two) and winless Border (0 points).
Suzuki Griquas, winners of the competition in 2024, were in complete control from the outset of their clash against the Griffons, running in 11 tries to one for a 71-7 win in Kimberley to secure their fourth consecutive win campaign.
Griquas were rampant in the first half, applying relentless pressure through direct carries and clinical finishing. By the break they had already surged into a dominant 31–0 lead, with tries from Tiaan Lange, Dylan Maart, and a double from Connor Mahoney setting the tone.
The second half followed the same pattern as the hosts continued their dominance. Speedsters Maart (three tries) and Gurshwin Wehr (one try) were constant threats out wide, while the bench added further impact to stretch the lead. The Griffons managed a consolation try through Sergio Moreira, but the match remained firmly in Griquas’ grasp throughout.
The Dotsure SWD Eagles produced a polished and composed performance to defeat the in‑form Sanlam Boland Kavaliers 33–24 at Outeniqua Park in George on Saturday afternoon, ending Boland’s run of three consecutive victories.
It was a real arm wrestle in the opening half, with the scores locked at 7-7 at the break. However, the Eagles found their rhythm in the second period to outscore the Kavaliers for a crucial home win in this Western Cape derby.
Boland struck first despite an early yellow card, with wing Xavier Mitchell crossing in the 19th minute before Juan Mostert added the conversion. The Eagles hit back strongly on the stroke of halftime when scrumhalf Tiaan Fourie sniped over from close range, and Fred Zeilinga levelled the scores at 7–7.
The second half opened with a Boland surge as No 8 Thurlow Marsh and Mitchell added further tries, both converted by Mostert. But at 21–7 down, the Eagles responded with determination and a momentum‑shifting spell. Flanker Ulrich Stander sparked the comeback with a powerful 57th‑minute try, followed by clinical place‑kicking from Zeilinga to narrow the deficit.
The turning point came in the final quarter when lock Dylan De Leeuw crashed over to put the Eagles ahead. From there, the hosts dominated both territory and tempo as Stander added two more tries, completing a remarkable hat‑trick, while Zeilinga continued to punish Boland from the tee.
The Bolanders added a late penalty through Mostert but lacked the accuracy they showed earlier in the season, with SWD’s defensive organisation and improved discipline proving decisive.
The Toyota Cheetahs kept their SA Cup campaign firmly on track with a convincing 52–19 victory over Eastern Province at Shimla Park in Bloemfontein on Saturday afternoon. The result marked their second win, ensuring they remain within touching distance of the top four as the race for the semifinals intensifies.
The Free Staters were clinical from the outset, striking early and maintaining scoreboard pressure throughout the contest. Cohen Jasper opened the try-scoring with a well-finished effort, before Michael Annies and Carl Wegner crossed to push the hosts toward a commanding halftime position.
Wegner's first try, converted by Jaco van der Walt, helped set up a 24–5 halftime lead, with EP’s only response coming through Mpho Ntsane out wide.
The Cheetahs maintained their momentum after the break, with Wegner grabbing his second try shortly after the restart. Their power up front allowed them to control territory and possession, resulting in further tries for Neels Volschenk, Munier Hartzenberg, and a hat-trick try for Jasper.
Van der Walt remained composed off the tee, delivering six conversions to underline his influence on proceedings. EP showed resilience in patches, with Ntsane grabbing his second try and Jaydon Bantom finishing well near the end.
The Leopards and Border Bulldogs arrived in Potchefstroom searching for early momentum after tough starts to the competition, but it was the home side who showed superior discipline and sharper finishing when opportunities presented themselves.
The hosts struck first through Jason Alexander, who powered over after sustained pressure, with Jandre Burger adding the extras. Border responded as Luvumo Makata dotted down minutes later, with Mbasa Nkonki converting.
A late first‑half surge from both teams saw Leopards’ wing Siniothando Tshontsyi crossing five minutes before the break, only for Border lock Dillan Kromhout to hit back almost immediately. That meant the sides went into the break locked at 14–14.
The second stanza, however, belonged entirely to the Leopards. A yellow card to Border wing Lonwabo Rawana swung momentum firmly toward the hosts, who capitalised through another close‑range finish by Alexander. Tshontsyi completed his hat‑trick with two well‑taken tries, stretching the lead beyond Border’s reach. Burger added one conversion to seal a convincing 31–14 result.
The Airlink Pumas claimed their third win in four outings when they defeated the Valke 42–36 in a high‑tempo clash at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The result lifts the defending champions to joint second on the log with 17 points, keeping them firmly in the hunt as the competition approaches its midway stage.
Despite conceding an early try to Mosolwa Mafuma, the Pumas settled quickly and took charge through a superb first‑half hat‑trick from flank Ntsika Fisanti, whose powerful ball-carries repeatedly breached the Valke defence. Additional tries from Tiaan de Klerk and Jay Cee Nel ensured the hosts held a 28–19 lead at the break.
The Pumas extended their advantage soon after halftime through Gustav du Rand and Sango Xamlashe, with Clinton Swart’s flawless goal‑kicking proving crucial. However, the Valke refused to fade, hitting back via a penalty try and a late score by Marco Fuhri to set up a tense finish.
The teams will enjoy a welcome break this coming weekend, and when the action resumes, the Griffons host the Toyota Cheetahs on 11 April in Welkom; the Leopards welcome EP to Potchefstroom; the Dotsure SWD Eagles travel to in Kempton Park to face the Valke; Border face the Airlink Pumas in East London; and the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers and Suzuki Griquas clash in Wellington.
SCORERS
Suzuki Griquas 71 (31), Griffons 7 (0)
Griquas – Tries: Dylan Maart (3), Connor Mahoney (3), Tiaan Lange, Gurshwin Wehr, Zane Bester, Sako Makata, Caleb Abrahams. Conversions: George Whitehead (5), Cameron Hufke (3).
Griffons – Try: Sergio Moreira. Conversion: Keegan Schaefer.
Dotsure SWD Eagles 33 (7), Sanlam Boland Kavaliers 24 (7)
SWD – Tries: Ulrich Stander (3), Tiaan Fourie, Dylan De Leeuw. Conversions: Fred Zeilinga (4).
Boland – Tries: Xavier Mitchell (2), Thurlow Marsh. Conversions: Juan Mostert (3). Penalty goal: Mostert.
Toyota Cheetahs 52 (24), Eastern Province 19 (5)
Cheetahs – Tries: Cohen Jasper (3), Carl Wegner (2), Neels Volschenk, Munier Hartzenberg, Michael Annies. Conversions: Jaco van der Walt (6).
Eastern Province – Tries: Mpho Ntsane (2), Jaydon Bantom. Conversions: Maxwell Klaasen (2).
Leopards 31 (14), Border Bulldogs 14 (14)
Leopards – Tries: Siniothando Tshontsyi (3), Jason Alexander (2). Conversions: Jandre Burger (3).
Border – Tries: Luvumo Makata, Dillan Kromhout. Conversions: Mbasa Nkonki (2).
Airlink Pumas 42 (28), Valke 36 (14)
Pumas – Tries: Ntsika Fisanti (3), Gustav du Rand, Jay Cee Nel, Sango Xamlashe. Conversions: Clinton Swart (6).
Valke – Tries: Mosolwa Mafuma, Godfrey Muzanargwo, Luciano Elias, Marco Fuhri, Penalty try. Conversions: Sergio Stalmeester (3). Penalty goal: Stalmeester.