Stonehouse adds his voice to calls for SA Cup to be scrapped

Seasoned Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse has added his voice to a growing chorus of dissatisfaction among leading SA rugby personalities who want the second tier SA Cup rugby competition to be scrapped.

Stonehouse, whose team are playing Griquas in the SA Cup final in Kimberley on Saturday, would like to see the feeder competition replaced by an enlarged Currie Cup Premier Division featuring all SA’s 14 provincial unions.

The SA Cup, which offers four lucrative qualifying berths for the Currie Cup, has been criticised for the lack of technology and the absence of television match officials (TMOs) at matches.

Cheetahs coach Frans Steyn and Griquas mentor Pieter Bergh agree with Stonehouse that the time has come to discard the flawed SA Cup.

Matches are often poorly attended, and there is limited television coverage of matches in the 10-team league.

“Defending our title is important for this union,” Stonehouse told Rugby365.

“There is always hype around them (Cheetahs) potentially missing the Currie Cup.

“Because it is a legacy team and one of the big unions, they get the publicity.

“All the teams, including the Pumas, were also fighting for their survival (to qualify for the Currie Cup).

“That is why I feel there is an argument to be made to expand the Currie Cup.

“The SWD Eagles certainly deserve to be playing in the Currie Cup this year.”

It’s time for the flawed SA Cup rugby competition to be scrapped and replaced with a better-funded, all-inclusive 14-team Currie Cup, which would also feature the EP Elephants, Cheetahs coach Frans Steyn says. His impassioned plea came after last week’s dramatic clash when the Cheetahs edged Griquas 32-31 to retain their Currie Cup status at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. Because the SA Cup offers four lucrative qualifying berths for the Currie Cup, criticism has been levelled at the lack of technology and the absence of television match officials (TMOs) at matches. “Looking at how the teams have performed this year, you could just as well have one big Currie Cup. That’s my opinion,” Steyn told OFM Sport. “The Valke were good and definitely not pushovers, and the Griffons also showed their quality. If you had one expanded Currie Cup, then maybe this competition [SA Cup] wouldn’t even be necessary. “I’ve said before that the Currie Cup needs to be made bigger and backed properly financially. There are people who still care deeply about the competition [Currie Cup] and with private equity coming into rugby, there’s an opportunity. Put proper prize money on the Currie Cup and make the big unions play their strongest sides to compete for something like R10 million. Then the competition will grow again “Put proper prize money on the Currie Cup and make the big unions play their strongest sides to compete for something like R10m. Then the competition will grow again.” “Look at France. Their rugby unions generate some of the biggest revenues in the world. If you watch their first division, second division or even club rugby, the stadiums are full, the supporters pitch up and the television money is enormous.” A concerned Steyn said missed big moments in games because of the absence of TMOs could have dire financial consequences. “During our game against Griquas there was that kick into the corner that the player took back over the line,” he said. “That was a massive moment. “From the start, my issue with the SA Cup has been the lack of technology. If we had got the scrum there, maybe we score and the whole game changes. “At the end, we almost lost because if he had kicked that ball out, we lose. Those are massive moments in games and I don’t think people always realise how important this competition is. “This competition is bigger than the United Rugby Championship and bigger than a lot of other competitions because teams can genuinely be knocked out. This competition is bigger than the United Rugby Championship and bigger than a lot of other competitions because teams can genuinely be knocked out “What happens to those players and coaches then? It always comes back onto the coaches. You can’t blame the referees because there’s no TMO, but there are definitely things that need to be looked at in the SA Cup.” Steyn’s plea has been backed by Griquas coach Pieter Bergh, who would also like the Currie Cup revamped. “If officials cannot do it [provide TMOs for the SA Cup], we must have a 14-team Currie Cup without qualification,” he said. “Teams like the Valke, SWD and EP are getting better — although there are a few teams still falling short.” Looking ahead to his team’s semifinal against the Pumas in Mbombela on Friday, Steyn said: “We’re working hard on our defence, but I’d really like us to play proper Free State rugby again. “We’re spending a lot more time on attack because that’s also important. “Defence is about heart and attitude. If you’ve got the right mindset and you’re willing to put your body on the line, defence becomes easier. That’s what you saw from us against Griquas.” SA Cup semifinals Friday, 6pm: Pumas v Cheetahs; Saturday, 1pm: Griquas v Boland Kavaliers. Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

A resurgent Eagles team lost on points difference to the Boland Kavaliers after a nail-biting end to the league stage of the SA Cup.

“Let us look back over the last six years. What happened to all those Craven Week players?” Stonehouse said.

“However, the challenge is to secure the funding to pay those salaries.

“I don’t believe only the four big unions, Stormers, Bulls, Sharks and Lions, produce all the Springboks.

“There are some well-documented Springboks from the smaller unions, and that should not be ignored.

“For the game in South Africa, we have to find employment for all the fringe players that fall by the wayside.

“I have read a lot about why Griquas must qualify for the Currie Cup as defending champions.

“We featured in four finals in the past four years, and nobody asks why the Pumas must play in a qualifying tournament.

Steyn, whose team was beaten by the Pumas in the SA Cup semi-finals, wants a bigger and better funded Currie Cup.

“Looking at how the teams have performed this year, you could just as well have one big Currie Cup. That’s my opinion,” he said.

An ability to strangle teams has been a key weapon for Griquas as they prepare to host the Pumas in the SA Cup final in Kimberley on Saturday, coach Pieter Bergh says. Defending champions the Pumas were first to book their place in the final when they edged the Cheetahs 42–36 at the Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga on Friday. Griquas, the 2024 champions, secured their berth in the decider by beating the Boland Kavaliers 59-35 in a high-scoring spectacle in Kimberley. “We believe we’re an incredibly difficult team to play against,” Bergh said. “When we get on the front foot, we’ve developed the ability over the last few years to suffocate and strangle teams, and that’s exactly what we did in the second half. “Griquas strangled Boland. We got maul dominance and scrum dominance and started to take control. On the counterattack, when they kicked the ball, our back three came alive and backed themselves. We put them under pressure. “I think we did the same in Wellington when we played them there. It all started at the set-piece. The moment we gained dominance there, it became like slow poison for us because we just kept breaking them down minute by minute.” The results saw the trend continuing of the home teams not losing in SA Cup semifinals. The Cheetahs struck early in the first semifinal, building a 10–0 lead through a Tiaan Swanepoel penalty goal and a converted try by Clayton Blommetjies. However, the Pumas responded with authority, their forward pack asserting dominance through the maul as Sampie Swiegers crossed twice before the break. Clinton Swart’s reliable boot ensured the Pumas held a 20–10 halftime lead. The seesaw nature of the contest ensured a tense finish, but Swart’s composed goal-kicking — he landed four conversions and three penalty goals — ultimately proved the difference between the sides. In the second semifinal, Griquas raced into a 14–0 lead inside the opening 10 minutes, but the Kavaliers responded with intent, scoring four converted tries through James Tedder, Jade Stighling, Dominic Smith and Thurlow Marsh to surge into a 28–14 lead at the half-hour mark. The hosts hit back strongly. A dominant rolling maul earned them a penalty try — with Boland’s Sibusiso Sangweni sent to the sin bin — before a sweeping counter-attack, sparked by Griquas flyhalf George Whitehead, saw him release Bobby Alexander for their fourth try. Whitehead’s conversion levelled the scores at 28–28 at halftime. The back-and-forth continued after the break. Speedster Dylan Maart crossed for his second try soon after the restart, but Jurick Lewis replied for Boland to level matters again at 35-35. However, the Griquas’ forward power, particularly their driving maul, eventually proved decisive. Marco de Witt, Sako Makata and Lourens Oosthuizen all crossed for converted tries in the second stanza as the home side pulled clear, and Cameron Hufkie applied the finishing touch, slotting a long-range penalty goal to seal a comprehensive 59–35 victory. Saturday’s final kicks off at 6.30pm in Kimberley. Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

“The Valke were good and definitely not pushovers, and the Griffons also showed their quality. If you had one expanded Currie Cup, then maybe this competition [SA Cup] wouldn’t even be necessary.

“I’ve said before that the Currie Cup needs to be made bigger and backed properly financially. There are people who still care deeply about the competition [Currie Cup], and with private equity coming into rugby, there’s an opportunity.

Steyn’s plea has been backed by Bergh, who would also like the Currie Cup revamped.

“If officials cannot do it [provide TMOs for the SA Cup], we must have a 14-team Currie Cup without qualification,” he said.

“Teams like the Valke, SWD and EP are getting better – although there are a few teams still falling short.”

The Junior Springboks want to hit the ground running when they face Chile in the opening match of the U20 International Series in Cape Town on Thursday, says coach Kevin Foote. The SA squad assembled at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport (SAS) on Monday and completed their first training session in the afternoon as preparations ramped up for a series which also features Fiji and Georgia. The inaugural tournament follows on the heels of the recent U20 Rugby Championship in Gqeberha, where SA claimed the title after victories over Argentina and Australia before drawing their final encounter against New Zealand at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Several familiar faces reported for duty on Monday for the four-team tournament. They included Vusi Moyo (flyhalf), who recently made his United Rugby Championship debut for the Sharks, as well as his franchise teammate Luan Giliomee (utility back) and experienced hooker Esethu Mnebelele, both of whom missed the Gqeberha assignment due to injury. Other players who sat out the Junior Boks’ successful campaign in Gqeberha through injury and are now back in the mix include prop Kai Pratt, loose forward Vuyo Gwiji, and centres Pieter van der Merwe and Christian Vorster. Foote said there was plenty of positive energy displayed by the returning players. “Seeing the smiles on those who have rejoined the camp after completing their injury rehabilitation says a lot. We are very glad to have them back with us,” he said. “We are looking to freshen up the squad, give players opportunities in certain positions and allow them to put their hands up for Junior World Championship selection. “It is an important balance between managing the group in the present and continuing to build for the future. “This tournament will provide valuable game time for players who may not have featured regularly during the recent U20 Rugby Championship while also creating opportunities for younger squad members to continue their development within the Junior Bok environment.” “We achieved our mission in Gqeberha, but we now face a fresh challenge and must prepare accordingly.” U20 International Series fixtures Thursday at Rondebosch Boys’ High School, Cape Town: 1pm: Georgia v Fiji; 3pm: South Africa v Chile. Tuesday at Wynberg Boys’ High School, Cape Town: 1pm: Chile v Georgia; 3pm: South Africa v Fiji. Saturday at Markötter Stadium, Paul Roos Gymnasium, Stellenbosch: 2.30pm: South Africa v Georgia; 4.30pm: Fiji v Chile. — Additional reporting SA Rugby Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

SA Cup final:

Saturday: 6.30pm Griquas v Pumas in Kimberley

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