The SA Cup was created to replace the Mzanzi Challenge which was played for only one season in 2023 and was won by the Valke.[1] [2] The inaugural 2024 SA Cup competition was contested between 21 March 2024 - 25 May 2024 and the primary function of the SA Cup is to serve as qualification to the Currie Cup Premier Division and Currie Cup First Division respectively. The domestic teams with a place in the United Rugby Championship, namely the Blue Bulls, Western Province, Sharks and Golden Lions are excluded from the SA Cup. [3]
Current season or competition: 2025 SA Cup | |
| Sport | Rugby union |
|---|---|
| Instituted | 2024 |
| Inaugural season | 2024 |
| Number of teams | 10 |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Holders | Griquas (2024) |
| Most titles | Griquas (1 title) |
| Related competition | Currie Cup, Mzanzi Challenge |
The top four teams in the 2025 SA Cup will join the four United Rugby Championship teams in the 2025 Currie Cup Premier Division and the remaining six teams will battle it out for the 2025 Currie Cup First Division title.[4]
Teams
edit| SA Cup teams | |
|---|---|
| Team | Sponsored name |
 Boland Cavaliers |
Sanlam Boland Cavaliers |
 Border Bulldogs |
Border Bulldogs |
 Eastern Province Elephants |
Eastern Province Elephants |
 Free State XV |
Toyota Free State XV |
 Griffons |
NovaVit Griffons |
 Griquas |
Suzuki Griquas |
 Leopards |
Leopards |
 Pumas |
Airlink Pumas |
 SWD Eagles |
Phangela SWD Eagles |
 Valke |
Valke |
Finals
editThe results of the finals played in the SA Cup competition are as follows:
| Rugby Challenge finals | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Winner | Score | Runner-Up |
| 2024 | Griquas | 46–24 | Pumas |
| 2025 | Pumas | 39–14 | Griquas |
Overall record
editThe overall record for the teams in the SA Cup competition is as follows:
| SA Cup overall record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Name | Champions | Runner-Up | Semi-Final | Years Champion |
| Griquas | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2024 |
| Pumas | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2025 |
| Boland Cavaliers | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Free State Cheetahs | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Eastern Province Elephants | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Valke | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Leopards | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| SWD Eagles | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Border Bulldogs | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Griffons | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Top point scorers
edit| Top point scorers | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Name | Points |
| 2024 | Griquas | George Whitehead | 150 |
| 2025 | Pumas | Danrich Visagie | 112 |
Top try scorers
edit| Top try scorers | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Name | Tries |
| 2024 | Pumas | Darnell Osaugwu | 11 |
| 2025 | Griquas | Gurswhin Wehr | 15 |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "SA Cup to lift off in Kimberley on Human Rights Day", sarugby.co.za, 22 May 2024
- ^ "Good Fortune guides Valke to Mzansi glory", sarugby.co.za, 23 May 2024
- ^ "The conundrum of the SA Cup: Is anyone benefitting?", citizen.co.za, 8 June 2024
- ^ "Currie Cup gets new window in major revamp for local season", sarugby.co.za, 22 May 2024