SA Cup: Mbombela cat fight headlines round 3
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The Pumas and Cheetahs meet in Nelspruit on Friday night in the pick of this weekend’s SA Cup matches.
The Free Staters bounced back from their shock opening-round loss to Boland in Wellington with a strong performance against the Leopards in Potchefstroom. But they will face a stern test against Jimmy Stonehouse’s well-drilled Pumas, who thrashed the SWD Eagles and Eastern Province in their first two matches.
In last year’s corresponding fixture in Bloemfontein, the experienced Pumas whitewashed a youthful Cheetahs 50-0.
A fierce battle is expected as the fifth-placed Free Staters aim to avoid losing further ground on the leading teams, with only the top four qualifying for this year’s Currie Cup Premier Division.
MORE: Steyn's Cheetahs are in 'must-win' mode
Meanwhile, log leaders and defending champions Griquas travel to East London to take on the Border Bulldogs at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium.
The men from Kimberley are heavy favourites to continue their unbeaten streak, having convincingly won their opening two games against the Leopards and Valke, and remaining undefeated since the competition’s inception last year.
The Bulldogs, who put up a good fight in their loss to the Eagles last week, will need to significantly up their game to challenge the defending champions.
SWD will look to build on their first victory when they face Eastern Province at Outeniqua Park in George, while coach Allister Coetzee’s men are still seeking their first win.
On Saturday, the Valke host the Boland Kavaliers at Barnard Stadium in Kempton Park. The Kavaliers lost a thrilling contest against the Griffons in Welkom last week.
The weekend’s action concludes with the Leopards taking on the Griffons in Potchefstroom.
The Northern Free Staters are favourites to maintain their unbeaten run against a Leopards team that has managed just one converted try and conceded 135 points in the first two rounds.
SA Cup round 3 fixtures
Friday
SWD Eagles vs Eastern Province, George, 3pm
Border Bulldogs vs Griquas, East London, 3pm
Pumas vs Cheetahs, Nelspruit, 7pm
Saturday
Valke vs Boland Kavaliers, Kempton Park, 3pm
Leopards vs Griffons, Potchefstroom, 3pm
Photo: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images
The post SA Cup: Mbombela cat fight headlines round 3 appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
