The race for places in the Currie Cup Premier Division begins this weekend as the third edition of the SA Cup kicks off across the country.
Ten teams will again battle through the league phase, with the top four securing qualification for this year’s Premier Division, while the remaining unions will contest the First Division.
The tournament gets underway on Friday with three fixtures before two more matches on Saturday.
HEYNEKE: Sky’s the limit for Eagles
The defending champions, the Pumas, begin their title defence in George when they face the SWD Eagles at Outeniqua Park.
The Pumas dethroned the Griquas in last season’s final in Nelspruit to claim their first SA Cup crown. Despite losing several regulars ahead of the new campaign, the Mpumalanga outfit still boast a core of experienced players as they look to start strongly again.
The clash in George will also see an intriguing coaching duel between long-serving Pumas mentor Jimmy Stonehouse and former Springbok head coach Heyneke Meyer, who has returned for a second stint with the Eagles as he looks to reshape the union’s trajectory.
Elsewhere on Friday, Eastern Province host the Valke at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.
EP, coached by former Springbok boss Allister Coetzee and assisted by Matt Proudfoot, will look to build on a 2025 campaign that produced four wins from nine matches.
The Valke, under JP Immelman, finished fifth last season – just two points shy of the top four – and will again be targeting a Currie Cup Premier Division place.
MORE: Boland aim high as Fourie targets SA Cup
In Bloemfontein, the Cheetahs host the Boland Kavaliers in what could prove one of the weekend’s headline clashes.
Now coached by former Springbok utility back Frans Steyn, the Cheetahs finished second in last year’s SA Cup, while Boland – still guided by Hawies Fourie – ended third. The fixture is a repeat of last season’s opener when Boland stunned the Cheetahs 45–29 in Wellington.
Saturday’s action sees the Griquas welcome the Leopards to Kimberley, while the Griffons host the Border Bulldogs in Welkom.
ALSO: Frans to do it the ‘Free State Way’
The Griquas, coached by Pieter Bergh, will be eager to start strongly after finishing last season as Currie Cup champions. They dominated the corresponding fixture against the Leopards last year with a 66-7 win.
Border, meanwhile, will be desperate for a fresh start under head coach Dumisani Mhani after losing all nine matches in the 2025 campaign.
Eastern Province vs Valke
Date: Friday, 6 March
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha
Kick-off: 5pm
Referee: Dylen November
SWD Eagles vs Pumas
Date: Friday, 6 March
Venue: Outeniqua Park, George
Kick-off: 6pm
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Cheetahs vs Boland Cavaliers
Date: Friday, 6 March
Venue: Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 6pm
Referee: Morné Ferreira
Griquas vs Leopards
Date: Saturday, 7 March
Venue: Suzuki Stadium, Kimberley
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Aimee Barrett‑Theron
Griffons vs Border Bulldogs
Date: Saturday, 7 March
Venue: Down Touch Investments Stadium, Welkom
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Griffin Colby
The post Heyneke in focus as SA Cup gets going appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
