SA Cup semifinals - Teams and Predictions

SEMIFINAL PREVIEW: The 2026 SA Cup reaches another crescendo this weekend as Griquas, the Pumas, Cheetahs and Boland Kavaliers battle it out for places in next weekend’s Final.

While the four semifinalists have already qualified for the 2026 Currie Cup, the focus now shifts firmly to the pursuit of silverware.

Defending champions, the Pumas, and the Cheetahs kick off the play-off action on Friday at 18.00 (SAST) at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit in the first of the two knock-out clashes.

In the second semifinal, to be staged in Kimberley at 13.00 (SAST) on Saturday, Griquas take on the Boland Kavaliers.

The Pumas boast an impressive record in this competition, having lost the inaugural Final to Griquas in 2024 before going unbeaten in 2025 to clinch the title against the same opponents.

Jimmy Stonehouse’s men finished second on the log (38 points) behind Griquas, suffering only one defeat and registering a weather-disrupted draw against the Cheetahs during the league phase.

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The Cheetahs, under the guidance of Frans Steyn, secured their semifinal place with a dramatic last-gasp victory over the previously unbeaten Griquas last weekend – a result that underlined their well-known fighting spirit.

Although the Pumas have turned Mbombela Stadium into something of a fortress, they face a confident Cheetahs outfit, who arrive on the back of handing the table-topping Griquas their only defeat of the campaign in last weekend’s thriller in Bloemfontein.

The men from Mpumalanga have featured in four cup finals over the past four years, winning the Currie Cup in 2022 and the SA Cup in 2025 – evidence of their pedigree in knock-out rugby.

Encounters between the Pumas and Cheetahs are traditionally tightly contested.

Over the past three SA Cup seasons, only five points separate the sides in their respective meetings.

Adding further intrigue, their league clash earlier in March was abandoned due to a thunderstorm in Bloemfontein.

The Pumas head into the semifinal with momentum, having recorded four wins from their last five matches, their only setback a 34-44 defeat away to Griquas.

The Free Staters, meanwhile, have shown resilience on the road, losing just once in their last four away fixtures – a 26-43 defeat to the Valke.

Friday evening’s encounter is followed by the second semifinal on Saturday, when Griquas host the Boland Kavaliers at Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley.

The SA Cup pacesetters return to their Kimberley stronghold after a dominant league phase in which they secured eight wins from nine matches.

Boasting the competition’s best defensive record, Pieter Bergh’s side will be formidable opponents on home soil.

History also favours the hosts. Since the competition’s inception in 2024, Griquas have held the upper hand over Boland and have finished in the top two in all three SA Cup editions to date, winning both their previous semifinals.

That pedigree, combined with their impressive home record, makes them favourites against Hawies Fourie’s Kavaliers side, whose only defeat in their last five outings came against Griquas, who won their league phase clash by 24-14 when the teams met earlier in the competition.

A fascinating contest is expected, pitting Griquas’ renowned defensive steel against a Boland outfit known for their attacking flair and ability to score from anywhere on the field.

The two semifinal winners will play in the 2026 final scheduled for next Saturday, May 23, at 18.15 (SAST).

Friday, May 15

Pumas v Cheetahs

(Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit – Kick-off: 18.00 SAST; 16.00 GMT)

Prediction

Rugby365: Pumas by 10 points

Teams

Pumas: 15 Jaycee Nel, 14 Lundi Msenge, 13 Sango Xamlashe (vice captain), 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Tino Swanepoel, 10 Clinton Swart, 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 Ruwald van der Merwe, 6 Ntsika Fisanti, 5 Tiaan de Klerk, 4 Miyelani Ngobeni, 3 Sampie Swiegers, 2 Gustav du Rand, 1 Etienne Janeke
Replacements: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Kudzwai Dube, 18 Junior Banda, 19 Andre Goedhals, 20 De Wet Marais, 21 Conor van Eden, 22 Nevaldo Fleurs, 23 Qamani Kota

Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Cohen Jasper, 13 Munier Hartzenberg, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Micheal Annies, 10 Tiaan Swanepoel, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Sisonke Vumazonke, 7 Neels Volschenk (captain), 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen, 1 Tielman Nieuwoudt
Replacements: 16 Juan Smal, 17 Dux Manyama, 18 John-Kelly Onkonko, 19 Curtley Thomas, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 22 Carel Jan Coetzee, 23 Ethan Wentzel

Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys

Saturday, May 16

Griquas v Boland Kavaliers

(Suzuki Stadium, Kimberley – Kick-off: 15.00 SAST, 13.00 GMT)

Prediction

Rugby365: Griquas by 12 points

Teams

Griquas: 15 Cameron Hufke, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Damian Markus, 12 Sako Makata, 11 Gurswin Wehr, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Bobby Alexander, 8 Phumzile Maqondwana, 7 Marco de Witt, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen, 5 Albert Liebenberg (captain), 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 IG Prinsloo, 2 Janco Uys, 1 Leon Lyons
Replacements: 16 Tiaan Lange, 17 Corne Lavanga, 18 Ntobeko Shezi, 19 Derik Pretorius, 20 Carl Els, 21 Caleb Abrahams, 22 Zane Bester, 23 Connor Mahoney

Boland: 15 James Tedder, 14 Xavier Mitchell, 13 Lunathi Nxele, 12 Jurick Lewis, 11 Jade Stighling, 10 Chris Smit, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Thurlow Marsh (capt), 7 Sibusiso Sangweni, 6 Sauliegh Arendse, 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Jeandré Leonard, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Joshua Eras, 1 Dewald Maritz.
Replacements: 16 Sidney Tobias, 17 Mthokozisi Gumede, 18 Andrew Beerwinkel, 19 Michael Benadie, 20 Kwanda Dimaza, 21 Chriswill September, 22 Thurlon Williams, 23 Domenic Smit.

Referee: Dylen November