Home-ground advantage key in SA Cup semi-finals

The 2026 SA Cup reached another crescendo on May 14 as Suzuki Griquas, the Airlink Pumas, Toyota Cheetahs, and Sanlam Boland Kavaliers battled for places in the final scheduled for next weekend. Although the four semi-finalists had already qualified for the 2026 Carling Currie Cup Premier Division, the focus shifted firmly toward the pursuit of silverware.

Defending champions, the Airlink Pumas, faced the Toyota Cheetahs in the first of the two semi-finals on Friday at 18h00 at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit. In the second semi-final, staged in Kimberley from 13h00 on Saturday, Suzuki Griquas took on the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers. Both games were broadcast live on SuperSport.

The Pumas boasted 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 with 38 points, suffering only one defeat and registering a weather-disrupted draw against the Cheetahs during the league phase. Under the guidance of Frans Steyn, the Cheetahs secured their semi-final place with a dramatic last-gasp victory over the previously unbeaten Griquas last weekend, underlining their well-known fighting spirit.

Although the Pumas had turned Mbombela Stadium into something of a fortress, they faced a confident Cheetahs side that had handed the Griquas their only defeat of the campaign in a thrilling match in Bloemfontein. The Pumas had featured in four cup finals over the past four years, winning the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division in 2022 and the SA Cup in 2025. Encounters between the Pumas and Cheetahs were traditionally tightly contested, with just five points separating the sides over the past three SA Cup seasons. Their previous league clash, held in March, was abandoned due to a thunderstorm in Bloemfontein.

Entering the semi-final, the Pumas had momentum, recording four wins from their last five matches, with only a 44-34 defeat away to Griquas as the setback. The Free Staters had shown resilience on the road, losing just once in their last four away fixtures—a 43-26 defeat to the Valke.

The Friday evening encounter was followed by the second semi-final on Saturday, in which Suzuki Griquas hosted Sanlam Boland Kavaliers at Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley. The Griquas returned to their Kimberley stronghold after a dominant league phase, securing eight wins from nine matches and boasting the competition’s best defensive record, making them formidable opponents.

History favoured the hosts, as Griquas held the upper hand over Boland and had finished in the top two in all three SA Cup editions to date, winning both previous semi-finals. This pedigree, alongside their strong home record, made them favorites against the Kavaliers, whose only defeat in their last five outings came against Griquas, who won their league phase clash by 24-14.

A fascinating contest was expected, pitting Griquas’ renowned defensive steel against a Boland outfit known for their attacking flair. The two semi-final winners are set to play in the 2026 final on Saturday, May 23, at 18h15.