The Pick n Pay Gold Cup, South Africa's pre-eminent knockout championship for non-university clubs, has reached its business end with thrilling results in the Round of 16. The tournament, sponsored by Pick n Pay and supported by Northam Platinum, has once again demonstrated its community spirit with large crowds and exciting matches. Defending champions Sanlam Naka Bulls kept their dreams of a fourth successive crown alive with a dramatic comeback against Centurion.
In the North section, Naka Bulls scored twice in the dying moments to beat Centurion 46-45 in a tense derby played in front of a capacity crowd. The match produced 15 tries, with Centurion looking to have the game sewn up at 45-36 with the seconds ticking away. However, Naka's never-say-die attitude translated into late scores from replacements Etienne Storm and Franco Botha.
Randfontein emulated Naka's one-point win on the road when they pipped Vereeniging 48-47 in equally dramatic circumstances. The match served up 13 tries, with Randfontein flyhalf Keagan Fortune's sharpshooting skills proving to be the difference. Fortune scored 18 points, made up of six conversions and two penalty goals, earning his team a quarter-final date with three-time defending champions.
On the other side of the draw, former Gold Cup semi-finalists Brakpan underlined their status as one of the tournament's dark horses when they scored 14 tries in dispatching White River 86-7. Brakpan will host a quarter-final at their Bosman Stadium fortress against Northam Platinum Rhinos, who beat their sister club, Wolves, 42-24 in Setaria.
In the South section, 2015 Gold Cup champions Durbanville-Bellville turned the tables on fellow Cape Town side and last year's runners-up, Villager, with a heart-stopping 32-27 win at Brookside. Durbanville-Bellville will now travel to Wellington to face Roses United at Pelikaan Park, where another capacity crowd is expected.
Roses United reached the quarter-finals thanks to a hard-fought 24-17 victory over tournament surprise packages Bloemfontein Police. Gardens booked their place in the business end of the tournament once again thanks to a thrilling 22-17 victory over Boland champions Saldanha at a packed and rain-soaked Central Ground in Kariega.
College Rovers displayed their title ambitions with a six-try, 44-5 derby demolition of Crusaders. Gardens will now travel to Durban to face College Rovers, a team they have previously beaten in the Gold Cup. The quarter-final fixtures will take place on Saturday, 10 October, with kick-off times to be confirmed.
Key points
- The Pick n Pay Gold Cup's Round of 16 delivered thrilling results and large crowds.
- Defending champions Sanlam Naka Bulls kept their dreams of a fourth successive crown alive with a dramatic comeback.
- The quarter-final fixtures will take place on Saturday, 10 October.
