The 2026 decider is set for Kimberley for the season team after the inaugural championship match, was also played in the city, and for a third succesive year the same two teams will go head-to-head.

The 27-year-old, who is set to join the Bulls, will start at centre for the defending champions in what promises to be another thrilling chapter in the growing rivalry between the two sides. Remarkably, the Pumas vice-captain will line up against the very same Griquas team he captained in the 2022 Currie Cup decider.

Sango Xamlashe in action for the Griquas in the 2024 SA Cup final - Morgan Piek

Xamlashe was part of the Griquas side that won the inaugural SA Cup in 2024, beating the Pumas 46-24 in Kimberley. A year later, he was wearing the pink jersey of the Pumas as they turned the tables with a dominant 39-14 victory over the Peacock Blues in the 2025 final in Nelspruit.

Now, in 2026, Xamlashe is preparing for his third consecutive SA Cup final and stands on the verge of becoming the first player in South African rugby to win three SA Cup titles. To achieve that feat, Jimmy Stonehouse’s men will once again have to upset the Griquas on their home turf - much like the Pumas famously did in the 2022 Currie Cup final.

While Xamlashe is not the only player featuring in a third SA Cup final this weekend, his story is particularly unique. He is also one of four Selborne College old boys who will feature in the final, with all four having represented the Griquas in the 2024 decider. The Old Selbornians are Thomas Bursey, now also with the Pumas, as well as Griquas stars Leon Lyons and Mnombo Zwelendaba.

Speaking to OFM Sport, Xamlashe said the fact that the Griquas and Pumas are meeting in a third successive SA Cup final underlines just how special and intense the rivalry between the two teams has become.

“It’s a really big occasion - it’s also the third time the Griquas and the Pumas have met in an SA Cup final. It’s really starting to become part of the heritage between the two teams,” said Xamlashe.

“Having been on both sides, it’s great to witness how things work in either camp. I must say the rugby landscape is in great hands - it’s beautiful, it’s competitive, and long may that continue.

The Old Selbornians after the 2024 SA Cup final - Mnombo Zwelendaba, Thomas Bursey, Sango Xamlashe, and Leon Lyons - Morgan Piek

“It’s a big occasion for us as the Pumas, looking to defend our title. It’s very important that we go in with the mindset of knowing it’s in our hands and it’s ours for the taking.

“The Pumas will be going to Kimberley for the second time after losing the previous final there. It’s a great opportunity for us to rewrite history and hopefully make it back-to-back titles.”

Despite standing on the brink of a historic personal achievement, Xamlashe insists the focus remains firmly on the team effort required to beat the Griquas in Kimberley.

Thomas Bursey is among several players to play in a SA Cup final for both teams - Morgan Piek

“I wouldn’t like to reduce the weekend to me personally. I noticed that there are three SA Cup titles pending for me, but nonetheless, it’s going to take a huge team effort.

“We all know travelling to Kimberley is never easy, so we’ll have to be in the right headspace to make sure we come out on the right side.”

Having featured in the SA Cup since the competition’s inception, Xamlashe has witnessed the tournament’s rapid growth and evolution first-hand. According to him, the 2026 campaign has been the toughest and most competitive yet.

“This has been the most competitive SA Cup I’ve played in. From the first game against the Eagles in George, the level of competition has been incredibly high and we’ve seen a lot of teams emerge.

“The SA Cup is creating opportunities and pathways for players coming out of varsity and club systems. We really hope it becomes sustainable and grows into a premier domestic competition in South African rugby.

“Hopefully, 10 or 20 years from now, we can look back and say we made a positive contribution towards building the SA Cup into a great domestic product for South African rugby.”

Mnombo Zwelendaba against the Pumas earlier in the SA Cup - Morgan Piek

Xamlashe added that all signs point towards another unforgettable showdown between two fierce rivals.

“It’s going to be a humdinger. We’re excited for the occasion because these are the moments where big players step up.

“It’s a great opportunity for everyone involved to put their hand up and make a statement.”

Saturday’s eagerly anticipated SA Cup final between the Suzuki Griquas and the Pumas at Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley kicks off at 18:30.

Griquas – 15 Cameron Hufke, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 11 Sako Makata, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Bobby Alexander, 8 Carl Els, 7 Marco de Witt, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen, 5 Albert Liebenberg, 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 Ig Prinsloo, 2 Janco Uys, 1 Leon Lyons

Replacements – 16 Tiaan Lange, 17 Corné Lavagna, 18 Ntobeko Shezi, 19 Derik Pretorius, 20 Carel van der Merwe, 21 Caleb Abrahams, 22 Liam Koen, 23 Connor Mahoney

Pumas – 15 Jaycee Nel, 14 Lundi Msenge, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Tino Swanepoel, 10 Clinton Swart, 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 Ruwald van der Merwe, 6 Ntsika Fisanti, 5 Tiaan de Klerk, 4 JJ Scheepers, 3 Sampie Swiegers (captain), 2 Gustav du Rand, 1 Kudzwai Dube

Replacements - 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Etienne Janeke, 18 Junior Banda, 19 Miyelani Ngobeni, 20 De Wet Marais, 21 Conor van Eden, 22 Nevaldo Fleurs, 23 Qamani Kota

Morgan Piek OFM Sport