PREVIEW: Do-or-die permutations in SA Cup finale
SPOTLIGHT: The SA Cup regular season concludes this weekend, with four teams still in the running for the final two semifinal spots after Griquas secured top spot on the log, while the Pumas can’t drop out of the top four anymore.
The top four teams on the final log will contest next weekend’s semifinals – with the teams finishing first and second enjoying home-ground advantage – while the top four will also qualify for the 2026 Carling Currie Cup.
The final round kicks off on Friday evening in Bloemfontein, where the Cheetahs host Griquas at Toyota Stadium.
With just three points separating the third-placed Cheetahs from the Boland Kavaliers (fourth) and the SWD Eagles (fifth), this is a must-win encounter for the Free Staters.
It will be a daunting task, though, with Griquas having won the last six official meetings between the two sides.
Friday’s second fixture sees defending champion Pumas host the Griffons at Mbombela Stadium.
The Mpumalanga outfit lost only one match and shared the spoils against the Cheetahs in their eight matches this season and, with home-ground advantage, must be considered favourites to secure hosting rights for the second semifinal next week.
The Pumas currently occupy second place on the log with 33 points – a sizeable 20-point cushion over the Welkom-based Griffons, in eighth.
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Attention then shifts to Saturday’s three fixtures, with the clash between the Kavaliers and Eastern Province carrying significant implications.
Boland travelled to Gqeberha last year needing a win to secure a top-four finish – and did just that.
This coming Saturday, they find themselves in a similar position, hosting EP in a match where victory, preferably with a bonus point, will see Boland cement their semifinal berth.
The Eagles are level on points with Boland (27) but sit fifth on the log due to an inferior points’ difference.
Having claimed five wins from their eight matches so far – compared to the Leopards’ single victory – momentum appears to be firmly with the Eagles, who will be hunting a bonus-point win against their opponents from North West at Outeniqua Park.
The Valke still have a mathematical chance of breaking into the top four, but the East Rand side will need a full five-point victory against Border and must hope that results elsewhere go in their favour.
*See all the fixtures and kick-off times below!
Friday, May 8
Cheetahs v Griquas
(Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein – Kick-off: 18.00; 16.00 GMT)
Referee: Morne Ferreira
Pumas v Griffons
(Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit – Kick-off: 19.00; 17.00 GMT)
Referee: Paul Mente
Saturday, May 9
SWD Eagles v Leopards
(Outeniqua Park, George – Kick-off: 15.00; 13.00 GMT)
Referee: Juan de Bod
Boland Kavaliers v Eastern Province
(Boland Stadium, Wellington – Kick-off: 15.00; 13.00 GMT)
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Border Bulldogs v Valke
(Police Park, East London – 15.30; 13.30 GMT)
Referee: Caleb Hibbert
