Rhinos dethrone champions, charge towards Gold Cup glory

A victory worth celebrating! Northam Platinum Rhinos players celebrate their 48–22 semi-final win over defending champions Sanlam Naka Bulls, securing a place in the Pick n Pay Gold Cup final.

Platinum Bushvelder newspaper | Setaria – The champions have fallen, and the Northam Platinum Rhinos are one win away from making history!

The Rhinos powered past three-time defending champions Sanlam Naka Bulls 48–22 in their Pick n Pay Gold Cup semi-final at Bushveld Park in Setaria on Saturday, 17 October 2026, securing their place in the grand final. Flyhalf Jaylen James delivered a standout performance, contributing 21 points and earning the player of the match award as the home side gave their supporters plenty to celebrate.

For coach Nollis Marais and his team, the victory carried particular significance. Naka Bulls had beaten the Rhinos by just three points in the 2024 final, before ending their campaign again in last year’s semi-final at the same ground. This time, the Bushveld belonged to the Rhinos. Their awesome win sets up a showdown with C. Steinweg College Rovers at Kings Park 3 in Durban on Sunday, 25 October, with kick-off at 14:00.

Rovers booked their place with an equally convincing 48–11 victory over Durbanville-Bellville. The two finalists now stand on the brink of a milestone: neither has lifted the Gold Cup since the competition was introduced in 2013.

The tournament is South Africa’s premier knockout competition for non-university rugby clubs, giving community teams a national stage on which to prove themselves.

For the Rhinos, the journey to Durban represents another opportunity to turn years of determination into a title. Having overcome the team that blocked their path in two successive campaigns, they head into the final with a powerful victory behind them and a first Gold Cup crown within reach.

One match. Eighty minutes. A chance to bring the gold home!