With just one game left in the SA Cup regular season, the Valke are still in the running for a coveted place in the Currie Cup Premier Division – but it’ll take more than just a win this weekend to get them there.
Speaking on Coach’s Corner with Renaldo Bothma, Valke head coach JP Immelman opened up about his side’s final push for qualification, their upcoming clash against the Border Bulldogs, and the broader challenges facing South Africa’s smaller rugby unions.
“There’s excitement, but also that frustration of knowing it’s no longer fully in our control,” Immelman admitted. “We’ve done the math – if we get five points against Border and Boland slip up against Eastern Province, we’re in. But that’s the game – you don’t always have your destiny in your own hands.”
Last Chance in East Rand
While Border has struggled this season, Immelman isn’t taking anything for granted. The Bulldogs have shown flashes of promise, particularly in patches against Boland and EP, and will be playing with the freedom of a team with nothing to lose.
“They’re a physical side. Their defence in the 22 is actually quite solid,” Immelman said. “They don’t give away soft points close to the line, so we’ve got to be clinical. We’re preparing for this one like we would for any top-four opponent. If we want five points, we’ll have to earn it.”
Tight at the Top
With Boland, the Griffons, and Valke all jostling for position behind the top contenders, this final round of the SA Cup could produce drama right down to the wire. For the Valke to make it through, a bonus-point win is non-negotiable – but even then, their fate depends on results elsewhere.
“By around five o’clock Saturday, we’ll know where we stand,” Immelman said. “Until then, our focus is on executing our processes. That’s all we can control.”
A Competition on the Rise
Renaldo also raised a point echoed by many rugby insiders – the SA Cup is showing serious potential but needs greater visibility and backing.
“The competition is healthy, no doubt,” said Immelman. “Look at the quality of rugby being played, the intensity, the fact that seven teams were still in playoff contention going into the final round. But the next step is exposure – more TV time, more marketing, more platforms like this one to help smaller unions reach fans and sponsors.”
He pointed to the packed crowd at last weekend’s clash in Wellington between Boland and the Pumas as a great example of what’s possible when fans are engaged and games are accessible.
The Harsh Reality for Smaller Unions
While the Currie Cup remains the crown jewel of South African domestic rugby, JP pulled no punches in highlighting the structural challenges for teams like the Valke, Boland, and Griffons when they fall short of qualification.
“If you don’t make it into the Premier Division, your entire cycle gets reset,” he explained. “You lose players to other teams, some go overseas, and suddenly you’re rebuilding again from scratch. That affects sponsorship, continuity, and long-term planning.”
The Need for a Bigger Vision
Immelman floated the idea of revisiting a 14-team Currie Cup as a potential way forward – one that could give consistent exposure to all unions and help nurture domestic talent that often goes unseen.
“We’ve got the players in South Africa. The talent is there,” he said. “But you need the structure and the support to keep them in the system. If we can find a model that balances competition with financial sustainability, I believe all our provinces can thrive.”
For now, though, all eyes are on the Valke’s final match. A bonus-point win against Border, a favour from Eastern Province – and the dream is alive.
