Two of the highlights of the third round of the SA Cup involve repeats of last year’s Currie Cup Premier and First Division finals.
The Cheetahs host the Pumas in Bloemfontein, while the Valke travel to Wellington to take on the Boland Kavaliers.
Will a youthful Cheetahs side be able to tame the more experienced Pumas, and who of the Boland Kavaliers or Valke will register their first win of the season?
The teams from the Free State and Mpumalanga kick off the action on Friday at Free State Stadium, where a difficult challenge awaits the hosts in a repeat of last year’s Currie Cup final.
With the Cheetahs also facing Clermont Auvergne in a crunch Challenge Cup playoff game in France on Saturday, their SA Cup side will have a youthful look for the clash against the Pumas.
Friday’s game will be followed by three more matches on Saturday afternoon. Early log leaders Griquas are favourites to consolidate their position when they host the Border Bulldogs in Kimberley; Eastern Province entertain fellow First Division rivals SWD Eagles at the Wolfson Stadium in Gqeberha; and the Boland Kavaliers will be hoping to make home-ground advantage count when they welcome the Valke to Wellington.
On Sunday, the Griffons and Leopards will complete the weekend’s action in Welkom.
Last week, the Kavaliers went down 34-31 at home to the Griffons, after they also came unstuck in the opening round away to the Cheetahs.
The Valke ended on the losing side in their first two games and will be looking to turn the tables on the Kavaliers, who won the last time they met, in last year’s Currie Cup First Division final.
After edging the Valke two weeks ago, Eastern Province found the going tough last week against the Pumas, and the Eastern Cape side will no doubt be highly motivated for Saturday’s clash.
On current form, the Griffons should have too much firepower for the Leopards on Sunday in Welkom, with the team from North West suffering two heavy losses in their previous outings.
Matches:
Friday, 5 April
Cheetahs vs Pumas, Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Saturday, 6 April
Eastern Province vs SWD Eagles, Wolfson Stadium, Gqeberha, 3pm
Boland Kavaliers vs Valke, Boland Stadium, Wellington, 3pm
Griquas vs Border Bulldogs, Suzuki Stadium, Kimberley, 3pm
Sunday, 7 April
Griffons vs Leopards, Down Touch Investment Stadium, Welkom, 3pm
Photo: Charle Lombard/BackpagePix
