September 12, 10:50IOL

Bradley Grobler scores an equalizer, bringing the team closer to the South African Premier League record

Evergreen's forward, Bradley Grobler, scored his first goal of the campaign on Friday evening, managing to pull Stellenbosch FC out of a difficult situation.

Despite his age of 38, the player continues to demonstrate high productivity. He signed a one-year contract with Stellies specifically to get closer to Peter Shalulile's record for goals in the South African Premier League, which stands at 130 goals.

By scoring his first goal of the season and his 124th in his career, Grobler is now only six goals away from equaling this record.

Match action at Athlone Stadium

The match held at Athlone Stadium began at a rather cautious and intermittent pace; neither team was able to establish smooth tactical schemes in the first half.

Stellenbosch periodically created threats through long passes aimed at Raul Daniel, while Sekhukhune's best early attack was taken by Lehlogonolo Modjela, but the shot missed the target.

After the break, the tempo of the game increased, and Sekhukhune took the lead, scoring in the 63rd minute. Following this, Modjela managed to deflect a cross, and the ball ended up with Betuela Museu, who directed it into the goal from inside the six-yard box.

In response, Stellenbosch pressed the game, and Lehlogonolo Matlu blocked the shot, hitting the crossbar. However, Grobler's signature instinct appeared in the 87th minute. Rising high on the edge of the six-yard box, the veteran struck after a deep delivery from Sivive Nkvali, securing a 1-1 draw and marking the eighth draw in the last twelve meetings between the clubs.

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iol.co.zaSeptember 6, 20:23

Griquas and Pumas to meet in the Currie Cup final after semi-finals

The Pumas team, led by Jimmy Stonehouse, will play against Griquas in the Currie Cup final. The match will take place in Kimberley on Saturday, September 12th, after both teams advanced to the final through completely different paths in yesterday's semi-finals.

The champion team, defending the title, demonstrated high class in Kimberley, securing a convincing victory over the young Lions team with a score of 52-12, scoring seven tries. Although the Lions fought hard, they were unable to compare to Griquas, whose team laid the foundation for an aggressive attack that ruthlessly exploited opportunities.

Peter Berg's team looked very strong throughout the tournament, taking first place in the table after winning six consecutive league matches. This dominant run secured Griquas home advantage in the final, and they confirmed their status with another impressive performance at a crucial moment.

The other semi-final match, held in Bloemfontein, was quite different. Coach Jimmy Stonehouse's reaction after the final whistle spoke volumes about the drama of their 27-24 victory over the Cheetahs. The experienced coach let out a loud cry of joy and then punched the table in celebration.

Ten minutes earlier, playmaker Clintn Swart remained calm, scoring a penalty that put Pumas ahead 27-24. The visitors were forced to fight hard after the Cheetahs made a perfect start, scoring two early touchdowns and threatening to take control of the game.

However, Stonehouse's men managed to weather the storm and hold onto the win in a tense match, allowing them to reach the Currie Cup final. For Cheetahs coach Frans Steyn, the defeat was particularly painful. His team had been crushed by Pumas with a score of 52-26 in the last league match in Nelspruit last week, but there were expectations that the Free Staters could turn the situation around at their home ground in the playoffs.

Instead, it is Pumas who will return to the final, having won the title in 2022 and placed second in 2023. Now they will face the defending champions in Kimberley, where Griquas aim to complete their dominant campaign by retaining the Currie Cup on their home turf.

iol.co.zaSeptember 4, 14:00

Currie Cup Semi-finals: Griquas are considered favorites against the Lions, while the Chiefs vs. Pumas match is assessed as more difficult

Four teams will advance to the Currie Cup final on Sunday. The defending champions Griquas will host the Lions in Kimberley, and the Chiefs will host the Pumas in Bloemfontein for two tense semi-finals.

The first match will start in Kimberley at 13:00, and the meeting in Bloemfontein is scheduled for 15:30. Both matches will be broadcast on SuperSport.

The lineup of semi-finalists includes the most consistent teams in the tournament. Griquas and Chiefs gained the advantage of home ground by finishing first and second in the table, while the Lions and Pumas secured their playoff spots in the final week of the league stage.

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Griquas enter the playoffs as clear favorites due to a dominant campaign, winning six out of seven matches. The team scored 271 points and demonstrated the best point differential in the championship—+128. Peter Berg's team finished the league stage brilliantly, defeating the Pumas 38:14 and the Boland Cavaliers 48:17, underscoring their status as a team to beat.

Their opponents are the Lions, who have themselves gained momentum under coach Mzivakha Nkosi. A convincing victory over the Stormers XXIII in Johannesburg with a score of 36:12 secured the Lions fourth place and continued their impressive recent run of wins in the playoffs. Having reached the final in 2024 and 2025, they have established themselves as one of the most dangerous teams in the Currie Cup playoffs.

The teams previously met in Kimberley during the league stage, where Griquas won 31:19. Although this result gives confidence to the hosts, knockout rugby has a completely different intensity.

Griquas also possess the best defensive statistics in the championship, conceding only 143 points. However, the Lions have significant attacking potential, scoring 32 touchdowns—the third-highest figure in the championship, behind Chiefs with 37 and Griquas with 40.

The second semi-final in Bloemfontein proved to be more unpredictable. Chiefs, coached by former Springbok Frans Steyn, finished second after winning five out of seven league matches, earning the right to host the Pumas at Toyota Stadium. Nevertheless, they enter the playoffs after a painful defeat to the Pumas 52:26 in Nelspruit last week.

The Pumas, in turn, scored eight touchdowns in that convincing victory, warning the Chiefs before the rematch just seven days later. The Free Staters will strive to avoid repeating history.

Despite last week's setback, Chiefs are among the most experienced playoff teams in the championship. They have regularly participated in the semi-finals for the last five seasons and won the title in 2023, beating the Pumas 25:17 in Bloemfontein.

Pumas, on the other hand, have acquired a reputation as knockout specialists. They won semi-finals in 2022 and 2023 and reached two consecutive finals during that period, including their historic triumph in 2022 when they defeated Griquas in Kimberley to win the Currie Cup.

However, recent head-to-head history gives Chiefs reason for optimism. Before the Pumas' victory last week, the Free Staters had won four of the previous five matches between these two teams.