Bloem catfight sets tone as Pumas eye Cheetahs scalp
ROUND THREE PREVIEW: As the SA Cup heads into its third weekend and after two rounds of exciting rugby where a few results have set the cat among the pigeons, the log is starting to take a very interesting shape.
Griquas, Boland Kavaliers and the Pumas are all sitting on the maximum of 10 points from two bonus-point wins each.
The leading trio are followed by the fast-improving SWD Eagles, who are three points adrift, the Cheetahs in fifth place (six points) and the duo of the Griffons and Valke on five points each.
By Saturday night, one-third of the single round league phase will be completed, with a clearer picture of who will be in the hunt for the coveted top four qualifying places for the Currie Cup.
The Cheetahs finally got off the mark following their 64-7 defeat of the Leopards last week, but they know the Pumas are a different beast when they clash on Friday under the Bloemfontein lights.
Jimmy Stonehouse’s defending champions are currently sitting pretty with two bonus-point wins, including a clinical 47–10 dismantling of EP.
With Frans Steyn and Ruan Pienaar at the helm for the Free Staters, expect them to try and outfox the men from Mpumalanga, but don’t count out the Pumas’ ability to strike from anywhere.
The Kavaliers are right up there amongst the leaders after their card-strewn 56–23 win over the Griffons in Wellington.
With Xavier Mitchell in red-hot form after crossing the whitewash four times last Sunday for the Bolanders, the Valke will need to bring more than just their Kempton Park grit to Wellington – they were caught cold by Griquas last week and cannot afford to let Mitchell and company find space in the wide channels again.
Griquas are heavy favourites for their meeting with Border in Kimberley on Saturday afternoon.
The SA Cup champions of 2024 are currently top of the pile and playing like a team that wants to wrap up the league title in a hurry. After putting 101 points past the Leopards in the opening round, they’ve shown no signs of slowing down.
For the Bulldogs, this is a daunting trip. They struggled in the Eastern Cape heat against SWD last week, and Kimberley’s thin air and Griquas’ relentless pace will test their defensive resolve to the absolute limit.
Meanwhile, in Welkom, where the Griffons host the Leopards, it will be a case of both sides looking to lick their wounds.
The Northern Free Staters were swept aside by Boland’s second-half surge, while the Leopards have conceded 165 points in two weeks.
This is a massive opportunity for the Griffons to find some rhythm. However, if the men from Potchefstroom don’t fix their defensive structure, the hard Welkom turf might result in another uncomfortable experience.
Eastern Province face the Eagles in a sunset derby in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in a clash that features two former Springbok coaches.
Allister Coetzee’s EP side have shown flashes of promise, but they are still looking for a full 80-minute performance.
They’re coming up against an SWD Eagles side that is arguably the most improved in the competition under Heyneke Meyer.
The Eagles were unlucky not to beat the Pumas in round one and were clinical against Border last weekend.
This used to be a close affair, often decided by the boot, so keep an eye on the kicking duel between Garth April (EP) and Fred Zeilinga (SWD).
*See all the fixtures listed below!
Friday, March 20
Cheetahs v Pumas
(Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein – Kick-off: 18.00; 16.00 GMT)
Referee: Christopher Allison
Saturday, March 21
Boland Kavaliers vs Valke
(Boland Stadium, Wellington – Kick-off: 15.00; 13.00 GMT)
Referee: Dylen November
Griffons vs Leopards
(Down Touch Investments Stadium, Welkom – Kick-off: 15,00; 13.00 GMT)
Referee: Paul Mente
Griquas vs Border Bulldogs
(Suzuki Stadium, Kimberley – Kick-off: 15.00; 13.00 GMT)
Referee: Lulutho Matomela
Eastern Province vs SWD Eagles
(Nelson Mandela Stadium, Gqeberha – Kick-off: 17.00; 15.00 GMT)
Referee: AJ Jacobs
