The Pumas broke Griquas’ remarkable unbeaten run in the SA Cup with a close-fought 39-35 win in Nelspruit on Friday evening to move to the top of the standings.
There were valuable seventh round victories for the Cheetahs, Boland Kavaliers and Griffons, who all strengthened their positions in the race for Currie Cup Premier Division qualification. The top four teams in the SA Cup go through to the main division of the Currie Cup
The Cheetahs solidified third place on the log table with a deserving 59-17 victory over the Valke in Bloemfontein; the Kavaliers were in rampant mood in their 80-0 defeat of the Leopards in Wellington; and the Griffons ensured they also stayed in the hunt for qualification thanks to their 57-27 triumph over the SWD Eagles 57-27 in Welkom.
Meanwhile, Eastern Province emerged victorious 41-15 in their Friday afternoon Eastern Cape Derby with the Border Bulldogs in East London.
With just two league rounds remaining before the playoffs, the Pumas moved into the lead on the log with 35 points, three more than the defending champions from Kimberley.
The leading duo are followed by the Cheetahs, whose fifth win increased their points tally to 27, which is two more than the Kavaliers (fourth) and the Griffons (fifth), with the Bolanders in that crucial fourth spot because of their better points’ differential.
The Valke find themselves just outside the top five with 20 points, followed by EP (17 points), the Eagles (seven points), Leopards (four) and Border (two points).
With two rounds to go in the #SACup, we have a new log leader as the race to the top four took another twist – more here: https://t.co/55vHySqgy0 😳#LetsPlayRugby pic.twitter.com/i1w10mcMs7
— The Carling Currie Cup (@TheCurrieCup) April 27, 2025
The seventh round delivered some thrilling rugby. In the weekend’s feature game at Mbombela Stadium, the Pumas finally got the better of Griquas when they emerged 39-34 winners. Coming into the game, both sides were unbeaten after six rounds, and the match lived up to its billing with both teams crossing over five times.
Griquas saw their incredible unbeaten run – this was their first defeat in the competition which was launched last year – shattered by the resolute Pumas, who registered their first win of the competition in three starts against their arch-rivals. The Kimberley outfit won last year’s league encounter between the sides, and were also victorious in the inaugural final.
