Gold Cup returns in 'FA Cup' style format

NEWS: The Gold Cup – featuring 32 teams from around South Africa – kicks off in September following a four-year hiatus and will introduce a new and exciting knock-out format, which has never been seen before in the nationwide club competition.

The competition for top non-university clubs is back after a four-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors.

Fourteen provinces have nominated two clubs each, as well as one club from the Griffons, while three additional clubs have been invited as wildcard entries.

The provincial qualifiers on the North side of the draw include Naka Bulle and Harlequins from the Blue Bulls; Bloemfontein Police and Collegians from the Cheetahs; Welkom Rovers from the Griffons; Rustenburg Impala (national club champions in 2014, 2016 and 2019) and Wolverines from the Leopards; Louis Trichardt and Rhinos from Limpopo; Pirates and Raiders from the Lions; Secunda and White River from the Pumas; and Springs and Vereeniging from the Falcons.

Clubs in the Southern group include Bella Vista and Saldanha Bay from Boland; Ncera Leopards and Police from Border; PE Harlequins and Progress from Eastern Province; Kimberley and Sishen from Griquas; Crusaders and Heidelberg from South Western Districts; College Rovers and Westville Old Boys from the Sharks; and False Bay (winners in 2017) and Tygerberg from Western Province.

The wild card entries are Union Milnerton from WP, playing in the North section, as well as Wesbank from Boland and Centurion from the Blue Bulls, who will contest in the South.

The knockout-style tournament – based on the same format as the FA Cup in English soccer – will be staged over five weekends. The Round of 32 and Round of 16 will be contested within the respective North and South sections. From the quarterfinals onwards, the best of the North will face the best from the South. The final is scheduled for October 7.

"This is an important tournament on our rugby calendar and we’re delighted to be able to confirm a major new partner for the competition," said Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby.

"A lack of exposure and sponsorship since the advent of professionalism have made things difficult for our clubs across the country, but despite these challenges the local leagues go from strength to strength as communities flock to grounds to see their sons, brothers, husbands, fathers and cousins in action.

"Club rugby is one of most important considerations on our agenda and we believe that the Gold Cup will breathe new life into this level of the game."

Round of 32 fixtures (8/9/10 September):

North

Wolverines (Leopards) v White River (Pumas)

Northam Rhinos (Limpopo) v Collegians (Cheetahs)

Bloemfontein Police (Cheetahs) v Louis Trichardt (Limpopo)

Naka Bulle (Blue Bulls) v Union Milnerton (WP – wild card)

Springs (Valke) v Pirates (Lions)

Raiders (Lions) v Vereeniging (Falcons)

Sasol Secunda (Pumas) v Rustenburg Impala (Leopards)

Welkom Rovers (Griffons) v Harlequins (Blue Bulls)

South

False Bay (WP) v Heidelberg (SWD)

College Rovers (Sharks) v Centurion (Blue Bulls – wild card)

Progress (EP) v Kimberley (Griquas)

Crusaders (SWD) v Tygerberg (WP)

Sishen (Griquas) v PE Harlequins (EP)

Police (Border) v Bella Vista (Boland)

Saldanha Bay (Boland) v Ncera Leopards (Border)

Wesbank (Boland – wild card) v Westville Old Boys (Sharks)

Main photo: SA Rugby