The race for the four places in the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division got off to a cracking start during the opening round of the 2025 SA Cup, with five encounters staged over the weekend.
Three of the five matches ended in away wins, with only the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers and Valke able to gain home victories.
In one of the main clashes of the first round, the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers got the better of the Toyota Cheetahs when the side coached by Hawies Fourie defeated Frans Steyn’s Free Staters by 45-29 in Wellington. This entertaining fixture produced 10 tries and the Bloemfontein visitors played their part by matching the home side’s tally of five tries.
Defending champions Suzuki Griquas got their campaign off to a flying start by overwhelming the Leopards 64-7 in Potchefstroom in one of four Saturday fixtures.
The NovaVit Griffons produced a powerful second half display to defeat hosts Border 55-32 in their clash in East London, while Valke prevailed 41-30 over a gallant Eastern Province in their home game at Kempton Park.
Meanwhile, Airlink Pumas opened their account with a 75-7 romp over the Phangela SWD Eagles on Friday afternoon in George.
Pumas outgun Eagles in Mpumalanga
The Phangela SWD Eagles scored first against the Airlink Pumas, but then leaked 11 tries as the side from Mpumalanga raced to a comprehensive 75-7 victory in the opening game of the SA Cup played afternoon Friday at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit. The hosts led 26-7 at halftime.
Sango Xamlashe (inside centre), Wian van Niekerk (outside centre), Eddie Swart (replacement prop) as well as Ntsika Fisanti (loose forward) all scored two tries each for the Airlink Pumas. Kickers Danrich Visagie and Clinton Swart slotted ten conversions between the two of them. Sachin Toring grabbed the solo try for the team from George.
Scorers:
Airlink Pumas 75 (26) – Tries: Sango Xamlashe (2), Darren Adonis, Wian van Niekerk (2), Eddie Swart (2), Ntsika Fisanti (2), Llewellyn Classen, Clinton Swart. Conversions: Swart (6), Danrich Visagie (4).
Phangela SWD Eagles 7 (7) – Try: Sachin Toring. Conversion: Braam Abrahams.
Boland stake early claim against Cheetahs
The Sanlam Boland Kavaliers defeated Toyota Cheetahs by 45-29 in Wellington on Saturday to open their SA Cup with a convincing bonus-point win after leading 19-12 in the break.
In an entertaining encounter played in front of an enthusiastic crowd, both sides scored five tries apiece, however, it was the Kavaliers’ kickers, Ashlon Davids (flyhalf) and his replacement Gart April, who punished the Free Staters for their propensity to commit numerous offenses.
Davids was an instrumental figure throughout as he pulled the strings in a good tactical display, and he also kept the scoreboard ticking over by slotting three conversions and two penalty goals. April kept in tune when he came on as replacement by adding a conversion and two penalty goals.
Boland left wing Lunathi Nxele scored three tries. Replacement flyhalf Jandre Nel made a good impact for the Free Staters by crossing over twice, while starting pivot George Lourens converted his own try before making way for Nel.
Scorers:
Sanlam Boland Kavaliers 45 (19) – Tries: Lunathi Nxele (3), Sidney Tobias, Duren Hoffman. Conversions: Ashlon Davids (3), Garth April. Penalty goals: Davids (2), April (2).
Toyota Cheetahs 29 (12) – Tries: Jandre Nel (2), Prince Nkabinde, George Lourens, Pierre-Raymond Uys. Conversions: Lourens, Cohen Jasper.
