As the 2026 SA Cup nears the halfway mark, this weekend’s league action presents another exciting line-up of games in George, Potchefstroom, Bloemfontein, and Kimberley on Saturday, while the remaining Sunday fixture will be staged in Nelspruit.
Frontrunners Suzuki Griquas and Sanlam Boland Kavaliers have both won all their games with bonus points after three rounds and the in-form duo will be determined to build on that momentum.
For the chasing pack – the defending champion Airlink Pumas, who are also unbeaten, SWD Eagles, Griffons, Toyota Cheetahs and Valke – their mission is to stay in touch with the log leaders as the race heats up for that coveted four semi-final berths, and qualification for the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division.
Saturday’s Western Cape derby between SWD and Boland in George promises to be another lively affair in the rivalry between these two teams. The Eagles enter their fourth-round home fixture with confidence following their 26-22 success over Eastern Province in Gqeberha.
Heyneke Meyer’s men sit fourth on the log and have proven themselves to be gritty and organised, traits that will be required against the rampant Kavaliers in George.
Boland, coached by Hawies Fourie, are riding high after bagging three bonus‑point wins to date, including a 73–24 dismantling of Valke last weekend. With 163 points scored in three games, their attack will be a big test for the SWD defence. The Eagles, though, have shown noticeable improvement this year, as evident by their two recent wins.
Unbeaten and top of the log, Suzuki Griquas welcome the Griffons to Kimberley on Saturday. Griquas’ latest win was a 97–7 demolition of Border in the Diamand City. With 250 points on the bord in three matches, they have dominated each opponent so far.
The Kimberley outfit are one of the competition’s most consistent teams since its inception three years ago, winning the inaugural title in 2024 and finishing runners‑up in 2025, and are favoured to maintain their current winning streak.
But the Griffons are no pushovers and their third-round 29-23 win over the Leopards showcased their ability to grind out a result.
Also on Saturday, the Toyota Cheetahs face EP in Bloemfontein from 13h00. The Free Staters will hope for a better outcome than last weekend’s no-result when lightning halted their home game with Airlink Pumas before halftime. Under competition rules, the sides were awarded two points each.
Allister Coetzee’s EP were courageous in their close-fought 26-22 home loss to SWD last week, which left them with just two points from three starts. The sixth-placed Cheetahs will target this home clash for another win in their push for a semi-final spot.
In Potchefstroom, both the winless Leopards and Border will be desperately seeking a first win of the campaign. The men from North West were edged 29–23 by the Griffons last weekend, while Border continues to struggle, so the hosts from Potch will fancy their chances.
Sunday sees the Airlink Pumas returning home to the Mbombela Stadium for their 15h00 fixture with the Valke, after their lightning‑interrupted game in the previous round in Bloemfontein. Jimmy Stonehouse’s team looked menacing in their other two outings and JP Immelman and his visiting side from the East Rand will face a stern challenge in Nelspruit.
Match information:
Toyota Cheetahs vs Eastern Province
Date: Saturday, 28 March
Venue: Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 13h00
Referee: Paul Mente
Suzuki Griquas vs Griffons
Date: Saturday, 28 March
Venue: Suzuki Stadium, Kimberley
Kick-off: 14h00
Referee: AJ Jacobs
SWD Eagles vs Sanlam Boland Kavaliers
Date: Saturday, 28 March
Venue: Outeniqua Park, George
Kick-off: 15h00
Referee: Christopher Allsion
Leopards vs Border Bulldogs
Date: Saturday, 28 March
Venue: Olen Park, Potchefstroom
Kick-off: 15h00
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Broadcast: SuperSport
Airlink Pumas vs Valke
Date: Sunday, 29 March
Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Kick-off: 15h00
Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys
Broadcast: SuperSport
Mule Skinner
The dubious honor of being called the worst Test batsman belongs to New Zealand’s Chris Martin. He has a poor batting average and only ever achieved double figures once. He was so bad that he even starred in an ad for Pulp Sport spoofing his (lack of) batting skills.
soda delirium
Sport Trivia: Where did Naas Botha play his first test match for South Africa? Answer: Wanderers – Naas Botha was selected to play for South Africa at Rugby Union after playing for the SA Under 20 squad. He made his debut against South America on 26 April 1980 at the Wanderers Stadium, recognised as a cricket ground. This was due to the fact that Ellis Park had been demolished in 1979 to be rebuilt.