For the third consecutive season, the Suzuki Griquas and Airlink Pumas will battle it out in the SA Cup final after both sides came through entertaining semi-finals this weekend.
The defending champions, the Airlink Pumas, booked their place in the decider with a thrilling 42-36 victory over the Toyota Cheetahs at Mbombela Stadium on Friday evening. On Saturday, the 2024 champions, Suzuki Griquas, secured home advantage for the final after overpowering the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers 59-35 in a high-scoring clash in Kimberley.
The result means next Saturday’s final will take place at Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley, with kick-off scheduled for 18h30 and live coverage on SuperSport.
The Pumas showed resilience in Nelspruit after trailing 10-0 early against the Cheetahs. The visitors struck first through a Tiaan Swanepoel penalty and a converted try by Clayton Blommetjies, but the hosts responded strongly as Sampie Swiegers crossed twice before halftime.
Clinton Swart controlled matters from the kicking tee, helping the Pumas take a 20-10 lead into the break. The hosts extended their advantage in the second half through tries by Gustav du Rand and Junior Banda, while Swart’s accurate boot kept the scoreboard moving.
Despite a spirited Cheetahs fightback, with tries from Michael Annies, Cohen Jasper, Neels Volschenk and Sisonke Vumazonke, the Pumas held firm to secure their place in another SA Cup final.
In Kimberley, fans were treated to another attacking spectacle as Griquas and Boland traded blows throughout the opening half. The hosts raced into a 14-0 lead before the Kavaliers stormed back with four converted tries to take a 28-14 advantage.
Griquas responded through a penalty try and a brilliant counter-attacking effort finished by Bobby Alexander to level matters at 28-28 by halftime.
The contest remained evenly poised after the break, but Griquas’ powerful driving maul eventually proved decisive. Marco de Witt, Sako Makata and Lourens Oosthuizen all crossed as the hosts pulled away, while Cameron Hufkie added the final points in a dominant 59-35 victory.
The final will now see the competition’s two most successful sides renew their rivalry, with Griquas aiming to reclaim the title on home soil while the Pumas chase back-to-back crowns.