The 2019 Gold Cup — officially known as the SSG Gold Cup, presented by Blu Approved and M4Jam for sponsorship reasons — was the 2019 edition of the Gold Cup, an annual rugby union competition held in South Africa between the top non-university club teams of the South African Rugby Union's constituent provincial unions. The competition was the third edition of the competition since its name change in 2016 and the sixth edition since it was launched as the Community Cup in 2013.

SARU restored the competition to the early-year time-slot it occupied from 2013 to 2015 — which resulted the competition taking a hiatus in 2018 – and was scheduled for 9 March to 14 April 2019. In an additional change from the 2017 edition, the amount of participating teams were reduced from 20 to 16, with one spot going to each of the fourteen provincial unions, one spot to the sub-union and the final spot went to a wildcard entry.

Competition rules and information

There were sixteen participating teams in the 2019 Gold Cup, divided into four pools of four teams. Each team played all the other teams in their pool during the pool stage, either at home or away. Teams received four log points for a win and two log points for a draw. Bonus log points were awarded to teams that scored four or more tries in a game, as well as to teams that lost a match by seven points or less. Teams were ranked by log points, then points difference (points scored less points conceded).

The top two teams in each pool after the pool stage qualified for the quarterfinals. The quarterfinal winners qualified to the semifinals, and the semifinal winners to the final.

Teams

Location of teams in the 2019 Gold Cup Gauteng Western Cape Teams in the 2019 Gold Cup Pool A, Pool B, Pool C and Pool D

The teams that qualified for the 2019 Gold Cup were confirmed by SARU on 14 November 2018. In addition to the fifteen teams that qualified from each provincial union, East Rand United were included as a wildcard team. The participating teams are:

2019 Gold Cup teams Team Sponsored Name Union Pool Bloemfontein Police Recall Security Bloemfontein Police Free State Pool C College Rovers College Rovers KwaZulu-Natal Pool B Durbanville-Bellville Durbanville-Bellville Western Province Pool A East Rand United Phakisa Holdings East Rand United Valke Pool B Gardens Multisure Gardens Eastern Province Pool B Naka Bulls ABE Midas Naka Bulls Blue Bulls Pool C Northam Rhinos Northam Platinum Rhinos Limpopo Blue Bulls Pool A Progress Stiles Progress George SWD Pool A Roodepoort Rototank Roodepoort Golden Lions Pool D Rustenburg Impala Newrak Rustenburg Impala Leopards Pool D Sasol Sasol Digi Mag Secunda Mpumalanga Pool B Sishen CT Hydraulics Sishen Griquas Pool C Springs KWV Springs Valke Pool D Swallows Hollywoodbets Swallows Border Pool D Villagers Worcester Onelogix United Bulk Worcester Villagers Boland Pool A Welkom Welkom Griffons Pool C

Pool stage

Pool A

Log

2019 Gold Cup Pool A log Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts 1 Northam Rhinos 3 3 0 0 124 94 30 10 11 3 0 15 2 Durbanville-Bellville 3 2 0 1 127 64 63 10 5 2 1 7 3 Progress 3 1 0 2 61 109 -48 5 9 1 0 5 4 Villagers Worcester 3 0 0 3 68 133 -65 10 10 2 2 4

Matches

Pool B

Log

2019 Gold Cup Pool B log Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts 1 College Rovers 3 2 0 1 91 17 74 10 4 3 1 11 2 Gardens 3 2 0 1 81 79 2 6 7 2 1 11 3 East Rand United 3 1 0 2 75 95 -20 5 9 2 1 7 4 Sasol 3 1 0 2 58 75 -17 6 7 0 0 4

Matches

Pool C

Log

2019 Gold Cup Pool C log Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts 1 Naka Bulls 3 3 0 0 182 43 139 17 6 3 0 15 2 Welkom 3 2 0 1 75 56 19 6 5 2 0 10 3 Bloemfontein Police 3 1 0 2 43 95 -59 6 15 1 1 6 4 Sishen 3 0 0 3 56 96 -40 5 8 1 0 1

Matches

Pool D

Log

2019 Gold Cup Pool D log Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts 1 Rustenburg Impala 3 3 0 0 153 29 124 12 9 3 0 15 2 Swallows 3 2 0 1 88 72 16 7 6 2 1 11 3 Roodepoort 3 1 0 2 93 121 -28 10 12 1 1 6 4 Springs 3 0 0 3 76 121 -45 6 8 3 1 4

Matches

Play-offs

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Final

Squads

The following squads were named for the 2019 Gold Cup:

+ Bloemfontein Police squad Jeandré Atkinson Donavan Ball Francois Bezuidenhout Pieter Faber Kay-Kay Hlongwane Stefan Jacobs Sisonke Makapela Fiffy Rampeta Ollie Saayman Gerrit Smith Tjoep Steyn Branden Terblanche Lebohang Tsoeu Wakie van Wyngard Luthando Dludla

+ College Rovers squad Brandon Bailing Molotsi Bouwer Cullen Collopy Alrin Eksteen Brian Habbick Alcino Izaacs Curtis Jonas Denham Leo Fosteras MB Lusaseni Khaya Majola Charles Mayeza Stairs Mhlongo Zee Mkhabela Njabulo Mkize Sandile Kubeka Mesuli Mncwango Minenhle Mthethwa Wandré Nortje Lusko Nyabaza Sino Nyoka Liam O'Connell Hendrik Prinsloo Inny Radebe Mark Richards Monwabisi Sanele Pina Luciando Santos Gavin Scott Brian Shabangu Damian Stevens Kyle Theron Sergio Torrens Byron van der Nest Marthinus Volker Adam Wessels

+ Durbanville-Bellville squad Daneel Hermann Botes Arend Daniel Jacobus Brink Angus Cleophas Johannes Christoffel Conradie Brendon Esterhuizen Dalen Kristan Sylvain Goliath Wiaan Griebenow Juan Janco Gunter Charl Jansen Lance Jurgens Ashley Kohler Ruan Geustyn Laubscher Gerdwill le Fleur Basil Liebenberg Karl Liebenberg Robbie Louw Edward Derrick Marais Roderick Moses Niel Oelofse Raymond Herbert Olivier Andrew Picoto Stephen Potgieter Tiaan Radyn Pieter Johannes Jacobus Smith Hanekom Gerrit Stofberg Etienne Swarts Gideon Francois Thiart Carl Francois Truter Erasmus Albertus van der Linde Christoffel Johannes van Niekerk Andries Conrad van Staden Jean Phillip Viviers Craig Walker

+ East Rand United squad Kholekile Bakumeni Jonathan Botha Hannriël Coetzee Michael Daniel de Lange Clayton Gindan Jaco Herselman Morné Jansen Calvin Jantjies Jackie Jonkers Saki Klaas Johan Kruger Jedson la Grange Brandon Lee Haywood Cameron Lentoor Peter Mnguni André Myburgh Sibongile Njomba Vuyisile Nqweniso Tinus Oosthuysen Donique Perries Kevin Plaatjies Leon Potgieter Tiaan Ramat Cameron Rooi Tyrone Schaper Stanley Stewart Khahliso Thabana Waylon Thompson Jacques van Tonder Dirk van Wyk

+ Gardens squad Ouza Arends Chevandrey Barney Riaan Bayman Denvor Bonaparte Kirwan Ceaser Ruben de Vos Bakkies Dlwengu Yster Dlwengu Margo Felix Craig Ferreira Nathal Forbes Lukhona Gans Elgin Grady Joggie Jansen Davian Josias Marvin Kampher Denino Ketchum Marlon Lewis Renaldo Lewis Ruvern Louw Cherwin Lovemore Andile Maart Ayanda Nogampula Ashhy Oelse Dwayne Prince Dylan Steenkamp Donavan Stevens Clyde Theron Colin Webb Oom Blerr Williams Zakes Zana Vinny Zinto

+ Naka Bulls squad Jean Pierre Alberts Jerome Bastick Anton Beswick Frans Botha Adriaan Britz Lawrence Cleminson Ewan Coetzee Christoff Craill Gustav de Jager Dirk Dippenaar Ruaan du Preez Jean Grobler Ruan Grundelingh Rickert Korff Kefentse Mahlo Danny Mokhoabane Pule Molokomme Altus Momsen Diederik Frederik Oberholzer Jonathan O'Niel Kyle Pieterse Ig Prinsloo Adré Smith Etienne Storm Luga van Biljon Juan van der Westhuizen Ian van Deventer Sango Xamlashe

+ Northam squad Ashwill Adams Jimmy Baloyi Gerdus Botha Alvin Brandt Zander de Kock Cecil Dumond Josh Finlay Hashiem Gasant Robin Goliath Patrick Hattingh Wiehan Koen Polly Lindenberg Wortel Loots Attie Louw Tiny Masemola Sam Mcetywa Tyson Mulamba Bruce Muller Ruben Opperman Jaap Pienaar Donovan Pieters Ben Sekgobela Dean Stokes Odwa Tinise Sidney Tobias Ethin van Niekerk Ruan Venter Estehan Visagie Percy Williams Jacobus Wouter de Villiers

+ Progress squad Barend Alexander André Barnardo Bredni Bestenbier Brianton Booysen Carlton Coeries Declan Coetzee Taswin da Silva Austin de Bruyn Mzo Dyantyi Ronaldo Fortuin Fizell Fredericks Jaydon Fredericks Alvin George Xavier Grant Scholtz Stefaan Grundlingh Kirsten Heyns Werner Jacobs Gerrin Jansen André Jantjies Chumani Kema Chazlin Lamini Justin Levendal Mac Muller Ossie Nortjé Leono Oosthuizen Wendell Pondo Shaun Raubenheimer Jade Roelfse Enrico Saaiers Jonathan Simons Deon Stoffels Nigel Theron Clinton Wagman Ethan Williams Eric Zana

+ Roodepoort squad Ori Abutbul Marnus Coetzee Migael du Plessis François du Toit Fransisco du Toit Ruan du Toit Bernard Erasmus André Esterhuizen Selom Gavor Duan Geldenhuys Stokkies Hanekom Terrance Longworth Derrick Lottering Gabriel Luyt Johannes Maree Rudi Marx Pieter Matthews Carl Mellet Mabutho Mongwe Tristan Moses Lux Ntsepe Ian Pottas Quinton Pretorius Wesley Pretorius Yahka Quinela Brandon Rick Wesley Roberts Rodney Robinson Gideon Roux Zander Slemmer Johan Swart Louis Trichardt Thifhidzi Tshivhase Kalla van Heerden Astley van Wyk Griffith van Wyk Clifford Vermaak

+ Rustenburg Impala squad Dirk Johannes Jacobus Botha Marius Breytenbach Gerhard Cloete JP Coetzee Brandon de Beer Isak Deetlefs Leon du Plessis Mcdonald Duma André Engelbrecht Ivann Espag André Grobler Dewaldt Havenga Hendrik Huyser Nico Kruger Stefan Kruger Jean-Pierre le Grange Siyabonga Masuku Dumisani Matyeshana Congo Mndoda Itumeleng Mpete Tiaan Nel Xolani Nkosi Andries Olivier Nico Peyper Tiaan Prinsloo Robert Rawlins Ethan Sias Mliqi Simanga Justin St Jerry Francois van Biljon Dean van der Merwe Maverick van der Merwe Boris van Jaarsveld Gysbert van Wyk Marius von Moltke Johnny Welthagen Justin Wheeler Chaney Willemse

+ Sasol squad Jacobus Beylefeldt Fanie Booysen Dandré Brand Calvin Clack Neels Els Tyrone Ferreira Anwar Fillis Izan Green Tiaan Habig Steven Jacobs Sweis Jacobs Dirk Lowies Willa Martin Tiaan Moore Eddi Mphuthi HJ Neethling Hanco Nel Pottie Potgieter Wian Prinsloo Andre Shwab Dalton Smit Jurgen Steinbach Ruan van der Colff Steyn van der Heever Markus van der Linde Llewellyn van der Linde-Botha Johan van der Merwe Jannie van der Merwe Marinus van der Merwe Mike van Vuren Lennie Vergottini Berty Visser Evan Wessels Christiaan Wessels

+ Sishen squad Byron Booysen Augusto Chiula Tiaan Dippenaar Donovan Erasmus Marthinus Erasmus Paulo Ernesto Jacques Grobler Warren Hart Louis Hayward Lenith Isaacs Kobus Kalp Ivandre Knoetze Jadee Linken La-Meyer Johannes Lenge Majolo Lenge Len le Roux Prince Mofokeng Zwivhuya Mulaudzi Lehan Muller Samuel Muzaza Henco Olivier Philip Olivier Jacques Pretorius Neels Prinsloo Nicolaas Steyn Gert Strydom Randall Swanepoel Junior Swart Driaan van der Linde Viljoen van der Linde Hugo van der Poll Leon van Jaarsveld Ryno Versfeld Joe-Lythen Willemse

+ Springs squad Shaun Botes Dowayn Botha Riaan Botha Xena Botha Martinus du Plessis Janu du Toit Fourie Francois Nico Furbey Andre Grobelaar Robin Howell Chris Janse van Rensburg Gerhard Jordaan Ruan Kotze Yanga Gift Lokwe Shaun McGeer Marco Niemandt DJ Oosthuizen Garnette Parkin Stanley Peacock Francios Prinsloo Andre Smit Choefie Swart Felix Toma Wikus van den Berg Zach van Loggerenberg Nicolaas van Wyk Divan van Zyl Inus Vermaak Cliffie Viljoen Marchell Viljoen Johan Zondagh

+ Swallows squad Onke Dubase Billy Dutton Samora Fihlani Leza Gcilitshane Lwando Mabenge Samkelo Mabombo Buhle Magazi Soso Mantyoyi Vuyisani Mavuso Siphamandla Mbusi Sokhana Mkhona Mihlali Mpafi Mbaba Mtsulwana Simnikelo Nandipha Mkhenia Ndzenene Sipho Nofemele Foxy Ntleki Siya Pati Anele Sibeko Bayanda Siko Bhulu Sineko Lukhanyo Siyobi Aphiwe Stemele Sethu Tom Lindokuhle Welemu Soso Xakalashe Aphiwe Xakalashe Yanga Xakalashe Siphelele Zono Anele Zweni

+ Villagers Worcester squad Givan Adams Gurshwin Africa Jennewil April Yrin Belelie Timothy Beukes Morné Boshoff Courtney Cupido Andries de Kock Ashley Dreyden André du Toit Lincolin Eksteen Damion Fuller Austin Hendricks Shandro Issel Zeeke Jansen Yazeed Johnson Jasherie Karriem Jodi Koul Edwill Lundi Msenge Cleve Malgas Gurshwin Nikhole Wehr Matthew Nortjé Ian Thompson Egan Uren Sergeyodei Uys Regarth Valla Elton Valla Neil van der Merwe Sergeo van Rhyn Calum Will Lawrence