Sanlam Boland, Toyota Cheetahs secure SA Cup semi-final places

Sanlam Boland and Toyota Cheetahs secured their spots in the semi-finals of the SA Cup following an action-packed final round on May 10. They joined the Suzuki Griquas and Airlink Pumas in the upcoming matches. Their qualification also meant that they earned places in the prestigious 2026 Carling Currie Cup Premier Division.

The round's action commenced on Friday evening in Bloemfontein, where the Toyota Cheetahs ended the Suzuki Griquas’ impressive eight-game winning streak, clinching a nail-biting 32-31 victory. Meanwhile, the Airlink Pumas dominated their match against the Griffons, winning 61-12 at the Mbombela Stadium, solidifying their position in second place on the log.

On Saturday, Sanlam Boland Kavaliers needed a bonus-point win and achieved just that. Wing Xavier Michell had a record-breaking performance, scoring seven tries to propel the Kavaliers past Eastern Province 85-29 in Wellington. Additionally, the Dotsure SWD Eagles secured a decisive 69-19 triumph over the Leopards at Outeniqua Park in George. However, despite the Eagles' substantial win, they could not surpass Boland in the standings due to the latter's better points difference.

Following the round, the Suzuki Griquas topped the log with 42 points, followed by Airlink Pumas with 38, Toyota Cheetahs third with 35, and Sanlam Boland fourth with 32 points. The standings were rounded up by Valke (29), Eastern Province (18), Griffons (13), Leopards (9), and Border (0).

In their match against the Griquas, the Cheetahs showcased a gritty performance under pressure, establishing an early lead of 25-12 at halftime, thanks to contributions from hooker Louis van der Westhuizen and wing Cohen Jasper. The second half saw the Griquas make a significant comeback with tries from Damian Markus, Carel van der Merwe, and Connor Mahoney, but the Cheetahs maintained their lead when Munier Hartzenberg scored shortly after the break.

The climax of the match occurred after the final whistle when Griquas wing Dylan Maart scored in the 82nd minute, reducing the Cheetahs' lead to one point. However, the conversion attempt was missed, maintaining the Cheetahs' victory.

In the other Friday match, the Pumas rebounded from an early setback to firmly establish their supremacy over the Griffons, scoring nine tries overall. That match was an impressive display of skill and dominance.

Meanwhile, in Wellington, Xavier Michell not only celebrated his 50th cap for the Kavaliers but also set a new record for the most tries scored in a single match for Boland, eclipsing the previous record held since 1952. The Kavaliers controlled the game early and extended their lead in the second half, culminating in a remarkable performance by Michell.

The Dotsure SWD Eagles maintained their forward momentum with a commanding victory over the Leopards, keeping their playoff hopes alive, though they ultimately fell short in qualification due to points differences. Valke wrapped up the league phase with a victory over Border Bulldogs, marking a successful conclusion to their campaign.