As the Castle Lager Brutten Cup approaches its climax. The four semifinalists are now confirmed.
As expected, three of the teams in the lineup were strong contenders from the start — East London Police, Ducats Township Young Leopards, and Walter Sisulu University (WSU) All Blacks — while Fort Beaufort United brings valuable experience to the mix.
Ducats Young Leopards finished second to defending champions East London Police, who had to rely on a boardroom decision to clinch the 2025 Super League title.
The WSU All Blacks, known for their consistent availability of players at training sessions, continue to impress with their discipline and preparation. Fort Beaufort United, meanwhile, boast a wealth of experience, including several players with provincial rugby backgrounds and a veteran utility back.
However, the surprise package of the tournament has been East London Buffalo Club (Buffs) — a team many didn’t expect to see in the knockout stages. Buffs secured their semifinal spot in dramatic fashion, defeating Komani side Progress 53-27 in the final round of the group stage, widely dubbed the “group of death”.
Buffs captain Chris Reedher credited hard work and belief for their success.
“We believe in ourselves — that’s what sets us apart. I also believe that working hard has been the key to our success this season,” Reedher said.
In-form right winger Azemahle Mbanga, who scored three tries in their victory over Progress, echoed the sentiments.
“I believe discipline, sticking to our structures, and focusing on the basics have kept us consistent throughout the tournament,” Mbanga said.
Buffs will face Young Leopards in one semifinal clash, while WSU All Blacks take on Fort Beaufort United in the other. Both matches will be played at Sisa Dukashe Stadium on Saturday November 8.
The fixtures were initially scheduled for last week but were postponed to allow for the funeral of the late Sive Tshakatsha, the Fort Beaufort United loose forward who tragically passed away after being stabbed a day after his team’s win over Komga United.
