Bouncing back or building momentum in the SA Cup

Four teams that started on the losing side in the opening round of the new SA Cup competition will be looking to make their home ground advantage count in the second round this weekend, with the action getting underway at 15h00 on Thursday, when the Valke host Suzuki Griquas on the East Rand.

Last week in the opening round of the inaugural competition, the Currie Cup First Division sides found the going tough against their more experienced Premier Division opponents, and this week will give them another early opportunity to test their combinations against strong opposition.

The Suzuki Griquas sped away to a runaway win last week over the Leopards in Kimberley and can be regarded as the clear favourites when they take on the Valke in Kempton Park.

The East Randers, champions in last year’s Mzansi Challenge, will be looking to cause an upset after falling just short last week against Eastern Province in Gqeberha.

Unfortunately for the men from Kimberley, they will be without the services of former Springbok Sevens player Sako Makata, who picked up an ankle injury in last week’s first-round action.

In the only encounter scheduled for Friday, the Airlink Pumas host EP from 17h00 at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit and the Lowvelders will be confident of adding another win to last week’s away triumph over the Phangela SWD Eagles.

The remaining three matches all take place on Saturday at 15h00 in East London, Wellington, and Potchefstroom, respectively.

Sanlam Boland Kavaliers host the NovaVit Griffons in their first home game of the competition in Wellington where the Kavaliers, with coach Hawies Fourie back as mentor, will no doubt be aiming for an improved performance following their opening-round away loss to the Toyota Cheetahs.

The Leopards couldn’t get onto the scoreboard in their first-round clash last week in Kimberley, and this week they are at home in Potchefstroom against the powerful Toyota Cheetahs outfit, who will be looking to use the encounter as good preparation for their EPCR Challenge Cup playoff came next week against Clermont Auvergne in France.

The Free Staters welcome back their skipper and lock Victor Sekekete, who has returned from a loan spell with Vodacom United Rugby Championship outfit Ospreys in Wales.

Meanwhile, the weekend’s action will conclude with the all-Currie Cup First Division clash in East London where Border Bulldogs entertain the Phangela SWD Eagles at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium.

Four of the five matches will be streamed live on the SuperSport Schools platform, while Friday’s game in the Mbombela Stadium between the Airlink Pumas and Eastern Province will be broadcast live on the SuperSport Rugby channel on DSTV.

Match information:

Valke vs Suzuki Griquas
Date: Thursday, 28 March
Venue: Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park
Referee: Griffin Colby
SA Time: 15h00
Streaming: SS Schools

Airlink Pumas vs Eastern Province
Date: Friday, 29 March
Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Referee: Christopher Allison
SA Time: 17h00
TV: SS Rugby

Sanlam Boland Kavaliers vs NovaVit Griffons
Date: Saturday, 30 March
Venue: Boland Stadium, Wellington
Referee: Paul Mente
SA Time: 15h00
Streaming: SS Schools

Leopards vs Toyota Cheetahs
Date: Saturday, 30 March
Venue: Olën Park, Potchefstroom
Referee: Hanru van Rooyen
SA Time: 15h00
Streaming: SS Schools

Border Bulldogs vs Phangela SWD Eagles
Date: Saturday, 30 March
Venue: Sisa Dukashe Stadium, East London
Referee: Dylen November
SA Time: 15h00
TV: SS Schools

All match details are subject to change and will be kept updated on www.springboks.rugby.

SA Cup Toyota Cheetahs Airlink Pumas NovaVit Griffons Suzuki Griquas Eastern Province Border Bulldogs Sanlam Boland Kavaliers Phangisa SWD Eagles Leopards Valke

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