By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
SA Cup log leaders Suzuki Griquas, the defending champion Airlink Pumas, the Toyota Cheetahs, Valke and Eastern Province were on the winning side in the penultimate league round this weekend, with six teams still in with a shout of making the playoffs.
Griquas delivered another statement win on Saturday when they defeated the Dotsure SWD Eagles 62-12 in Kimberley to secure top spot on the log, while the Pumas edged the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers in an eight-try thriller in Nelspruit on Sunday, winning this pulsating game by 38-31 to remain on course to host a home semi-final.
The Cheetahs’ comprehensive 87-5 triumph over Border in East London reignited their campaign and lifted them firmly back into playoff contention. In Welkom, Eastern Province clinched their third win of the campaign when they survived a late rally by hosts Griffons to win a close-fought encounter 31-28.
And the Valke ensured they are still in with a mathematical chance of making the playoffs when they edged the Leopards 31-27 in a thrilling contest at the Barnard Stadium in Kempton Park for their fourth win of the campaign.
With just one round of league games remaining, Griquas are way out in front with a full house of 40 log points, seven more than Pumas. The Cheetahs are third in the standings on 30, while Boland’s two bonus points from their defeat in Nelspruit kept them in semi-final contention in fourth on 27 points. SWD are also on 27, but moved down to fifth due to an inferior points’ difference.
The Valke are in sixth on 24 points), followed by EP (13), the Leopards (9) and Border (0). The top four teams will contest the semi-finals and qualify for the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division.
In next weekend’s final round of fixtures, two games will be staged on Friday and rest on Saturday.The Cheetahs and Griquas clash in Bloemfontein from 18h00 on Friday, and an hour later the Pumas’ clash against the Griffons will kick off in Nelspruit.
Saturday sees SWD take on Leopards in a must-win game for the George side if they want to possibly progress to the playoffs, Boland cannot afford to slip up against the improving EP in Wellington, while the Valke will be looking for a big win over Border in East London.
Meanwhile the Junior Springboks thrashed Australia U20 56-17 to win the 2026 Under-20 Rugby Championship in emphatic fashion at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Sunday.
Head coach, Kevin Foote, hailed the team’s “growth, grit and collective belief”, having clinched the title with a game to spare.
Foote also credited captain Riley Norton and the leadership group for setting the tone throughout the week and maintaining focus during a pressure match.
“Our preparation was excellent, and the leadership from Riley and the senior guys was really good.”
“From how we felt a year ago on this same night, there was a lot of motivation going into this game.”
While physical dominance remains a hallmark of Junior Bok rugby, Foote believes this group has developed a more complete and connected identity, thanks to the time they have played together since the beginning of the year.
“Our DNA is physicality, but it’s also skill,” he said. “You see the physicality in breakdown and how we want to play. This team plays with pride.”
The Junior Bok side takes on New Zealand next Saturday at 16h10 in their third and last U20 Rugby Championship fixture.