The Pick n Pay Gold Cup, South Africa's pre-eminent knockout championship for non-university clubs, has confirmed its final four clubs after a thrilling quarter-final weekend. The tournament, sponsored by Pick n Pay and Northam Platinum, has reached its business end with the semi-final line-up set to be a thrilling conclusion to the competition. The quarter-finals were marked by dramatic performances, including a hat-trick for Lohan Potgieter of Sanlam Naka Bulls.
The quarter-final between Brakpan and Northam Platinum Rhinos was called off due to a lightning storm, with Brakpan leading 7-5. The match was replayed on Sunday, with Rhinos, coached by former Bulls boss Nollis Marais, scoring six tries to win 46-33. This set up a repeat of their 2025 semi-final against title-holders Sanlam Naka Bulls. Sanlam Naka Bulls overcame a spirited Randfontein side 45-37 in an 11-try nail-biter.
Sanlam Naka Bulls, the three-time defending champions, are looking to win an unprecedented fourth straight Gold Cup title. They will face Northam Platinum Rhinos in the semi-finals at Bushveld Park in Limpopo. The Bulls' victory was marked by a hat-trick from Lohan Potgieter and a strong performance from the team.
In the South section, former champions Durbanville-Bellville and College Rovers delivered statement performances to set up a semi-final in Durban. Durbanville-Bellville beat Roses United 52-17, with fullback Grant Hermanus scoring 15 points. College Rovers, the winners of the last-ever national club championship in 2012, easily surpassed Durbanville-Bellville's 35-point winning margin with a 10-try, 64-0 dismantling of Gardens.
College Rovers' victory was marked by tries from Senzo Mabuza, Torbyn Visser, Kyle Theron, Ian de Fouw, Conrad Botha, Marco Palvie, Malcolm Cele, and Cliven Loubser. The team's strong performance secured a home semi-final against Durbanville-Bellville at Kings Park in Durban.
SA Rugby CEO, Rian Oberholzer, praised the tournament's competitiveness and the spirit of club rugby. "We are well and truly at the business end of the tournament, and I think it is fair to say that, in one of the most competitive Gold Cups ever, the four best sides have made it through," he said. Oberholzer also commended the tournament sponsors, Pick n Pay and Northam Platinum, for their support of community rugby.
The semi-final fixtures have been set for Saturday, 17 October, with College Rovers facing Durbanville-Bellville at Kings Park in Durban and Northam Platinum Rhinos facing Sanlam Naka Bulls at Bushveld Park in Setaria. The matches are expected to be thrilling conclusions to the competition, with the four best teams competing for the title.
Key points
- The final four clubs in the Pick n Pay Gold Cup are Sanlam Naka Bulls, Northam Platinum Rhinos, College Rovers, and Durbanville-Bellville.
