KIMBERLEY – History repeats itself in the SA Cup as the Suzuki Griquas and Airlink Pumas clash in the final for the third year running. The two sides booked their places in Saturday’s Kimberley showdown after overcoming the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers and Toyota Cheetahs in the previous weekend’s semifinals.
The Pumas, the defending champions, were first to book their place in next weekend’s final after edging the Cheetahs 42 – 36 in a semifinal at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Friday evening 15 May.
On Saturday, the Griquas (the 2024 champions) secured their place in the decider by beating the Kavaliers 59 – 35 in Kimberley.
Sealing a comprehensive victory
The Griquas raced into a 14 – 0 lead inside the opening 10 minutes, but the Kavaliers responded with intent, scoring four converted tries to surge into a 28 – 14 lead at the half-hour mark.
The Griquas hit back strongly. A dominant rolling maul earned them a penalty try – with Boland’s Sibusiso Sangweni sent to the sin-bin – before a sweeping counter-attack, sparked by Griquas flyhalf George Whitehead, saw him release Bobby Alexander for their fourth try.
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Whitehead’s conversion levelled the scores at 28 – 28 at half-time.
The back-and-forth continued after the break. Speedster Dylan Maart crossed for his second try soon after the restart, but Jurick Lewis replied for Boland to level matters again at 35 – 35.
However, the Griquas’ forward power eventually proved decisive. Marco de Witt, Sako Makata and Lourens Oosthuizen all crossed for converted tries in the second stanza as the home side pulled clear, and Cameron Hufke applied the finishing touch, slotting a long-range penalty goal to seal a comprehensive 59 – 35 victory, as described on springboks.rugby.
‘Big final energy’ loading at Suzuki Stadium
- Saturday’s grand finale will kick off at 18:30 at the Suzuki Stadium as Pieter Bergh’s Griquas earned home ground advantage courtesy of their league position.
- The action will be broadcast live on SuperSport and plenty will be happening before the game.
- The Six Gun Grill Boom Braai takes place, a halftime kicking challenge, while a jumping castle will be set up on the B-field with official Griquas merchandise for sale. The Chello’s Gemsbok Bar will also be open.
- Arrive early, soak up the atmosphere and be part of an unforgettable SA Cup Final matchday experience.
- Get tickets on ticketpro.co.za and follow Griquas Rugby – G.W.R.U. on Facebook for the latest announcements.
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