Griquas opened their 2026 SA Cup campaign in emphatic fashion on Saturday afternoon, defeating the Leopards 101–7 at Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley.
In front of our home supporters, Griquas delivered a dominant performance from start to finish, running in 15 tries and setting the tone early in the competition.
From the opening whistle, we imposed ourselves physically and played with confidence on attack. The forward pack laid a strong foundation at the set pieces and breakdowns, creating the platform for the backline to move the ball with pace and precision.
The pressure quickly translated into points and by halftime where we had established a commanding 42–7 lead, putting ourselves firmly in control of the match.
We continued to build momentum in the second half, maintaining the same intensity and discipline. With quick ball and clinical finishing, Griquas kept the scoreboard moving while our defence ensured the Leopards had little opportunity to add to their first-half try.
The match was a particularly special occasion for captain Albert Liebenberg, who celebrated his 50th cap for Suzuki Griquas with an outstanding performance and strong leadership throughout the contest.
Several players produced standout performances on the day. Gustav Erlank was influential with a powerful all-round display, while the backline combination of Cameron Hufke and Connor Mahoney consistently asked questions of the Leopards defence with their pace and creativity.
It was also a memorable afternoon for Liam Koen, who made a fantastic debut for Griquas. Koen made an immediate impact and contributed greatly to the team’s attacking flow and overall play.
Each player brought their all to the field, and the collective effort was clearly reflected on the scoreboard as Griquas powered their way to a century of points to start the tournament.
The SA Cup remains an important competition, with the top four teams qualifying for the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division later in the year. Saturday’s result gives us a strong start as we look to build momentum in the weeks ahead.
Match Summary
SA Cup – Round 1
Suzuki Stadium, Kimberley
Suzuki Griquas 101
Leopards 7
Halftime:
Suzuki Griquas 42–7 Leopards
SA Cup Round 1 Results
07 Mar | Down Touch Investments Stadium, Welkom
Griffons 36 – 17 Border Bulldogs
07 Mar | Suzuki Stadium, Kimberley
Suzuki Griquas 101 – 7 Leopards
06 Mar | Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
Toyota Cheetahs 24 – 34 Sanlam Boland Kavaliers
06 Mar | Outeniqua Park, George
SWD Eagles 26 – 28 Airlink Pumas
06 Mar | Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Nelson Mandela Bay
Eastern Province 23 – 29 Valke
