2019 Rugby Challenge

The 2019 Rugby Challenge – known as the SuperSport Rugby Challenge for sponsorship reasons – was the 2019 season of the Rugby Challenge, the secondary domestic rugby union competition in South Africa. It was the third edition of the competition organised by the South African Rugby Union and was played between 27 April and 22 June 2019. There were sixteen teams participating in the competition; the fourteen provincial unions, plus Namibian side the Welwitschias and the Zimbabwe Academy. These teams were divided into two sections, with eight teams playing in each of the North Section and the South Section.

2019 Rugby Challenge
Countries	South Africa
Date	27 April – 22 June 2019
Champions	Griquas (1st title)
Runners-up	Pumas
Matches played	59
Tries scored	557 (average 9.4 per match)
Top point scorer	George Whitehead, Griquas (95)
Top try scorer	Jamba Ulengo, Free State XV (10)
← 2018 2023 Mzanzi Challenge →

Competition rules and information

Each team in the competition played the other teams in their section once during the pool stage, either at home or away. The top two teams in each section will progress to the semifinals, with the two semifinal winners meeting in the final.^[1]

Teams

The teams that competed in the 2019 Rugby Challenge are:

Blue Bulls XV

Falcons

Golden Lions XV

Griffons

Griquas

Leopards

Pumas

Welwitschias

Boland Cavaliers

Border Bulldogs

Eastern Province Elephants

Free State XV

Sharks XV

SWD Eagles

Western Province

Zimbabwe

Location of teams in the 2019 Rugby Challenge
North Section
South Section

North Section
Team	Sponsored Name
Blue Bulls XV	Vodacom Blue Bulls XV
Falcons	Valke
Golden Lions XV	Xerox Golden Lions XV
Griffons	Griffons
Griquas	Tafel Lager Griquas
Leopards	Leopards
Pumas	Pumas
Welwitschias	Windhoek Draught Welwitschias

South Section
Team	Sponsored Name
Boland Cavaliers	Boland Cavaliers
Border Bulldogs	Border Bulldogs
Eastern Province Elephants	Multisure Eastern Province Elephants
Free State XV	Toyota Free State XV
Sharks XV	Cell C Sharks XV
SWD Eagles	SWD Eagles
Western Province	DHL Western Province
Zimbabwe Academy	Zimbabwe Academy

North Section

Log

2019 Rugby Challenge North Section log
Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	TB	LB	Pts
1	Pumas	7	7	0	0	337	164	+173	50	22	7	0	35
2	Griquas	7	6	0	1	290	156	+134	41	19	7	0	31
3	Blue Bulls XV	7	5	0	2	332	190	+142	47	27	5	0	25
4	Golden Lions XV	7	4	0	3	263	263	0	40	37	7	0	23
5	Falcons	7	3	0	4	240	261	−21	38	41	5	2	19
6	Leopards	7	1	0	6	267	283	−16	39	40	6	2	12
7	Griffons	7	2	0	5	193	252	−59	26	37	4	0	12
8	Welwitschias	7	0	0	7	112	465	−353	14	72	0	0	0

• The Pumas and Griquas qualified for the semifinals.

Round-by-round

The table below shows each team's progression throughout the season. For each round, each team's cumulative points total is shown with the overall log position in brackets.

Team Progression – North Section
Team	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	R7	SF	F
Pumas	5 (3rd)	10 (3rd)	15 (3rd)	20 (2nd)	25 (1st)	30 (1st)	35 (1st)	Won	Lost
Griquas	5 (1st)	10 (1st)	15 (1st)	20 (1st)	21 (2nd)	26 (2nd)	31 (2nd)	Won	Won
Blue Bulls XV	0 (6th)	5 (4th)	10 (4th)	10 (4th)	15 (4th)	20 (4th)	25 (3rd)	—	—
Golden Lions XV	5 (2nd)	10 (2nd)	15 (2nd)	16 (3rd)	17 (3rd)	22 (3rd)	23 (4th)	—	—
Falcons	0 (8th)	1 (7th)	3 (7th)	8 (6th)	13 (5th)	14 (5th)	19 (5th)	—	—
Leopards	2 (5th)	3 (6th)	4 (6th)	6 (7th)	11 (6th)	11 (6th)	12 (6th)	—	—
Griffons	5 (4th)	5 (5th)	5 (5th)	10 (5th)	11 (7th)	11 (7th)	12 (7th)	—	—
Welwitschias	0 (7th)	0 (8th)	0 (8th)	0 (8th)	0 (8th)	0 (8th)	0 (8th)	—	—
Key:	win	draw	loss	bye

Matches

Round One

	26 April 2019	Pumas	29–21	Blue Bulls XV	Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela
	19:00	Try: Devon Williams  15' Willie Engelbrecht  42' Francois Kleinhans  48' Alwayno Visagie  62' Con: Chris Smith  16', 49', 63' Pen: Chris Smith  55'	Scoreboard[2][3]	Try: JT Jackson  72' Cornal Hendricks  77' Con: JT Jackson  73' Pen: JT Jackson  25', 34', 40'	Referee: Divan Uys

	27 April 2019	Griquas	52–10	Falcons	Tafel Lager Park, Kimberley
	14:30	Try: Ederies Arendse  4', 40' Grant Hermanus  12' Wendal Wehr  27', 52' Sias Koen  58' Conway Pretorius  69' Enver Brandt  77' Con: George Whitehead  5', 13', 28', 40', 58' Tinus de Beer  70'	Scoreboard[4][5]	Try: Friedle Olivier  22' Coert Cronjé  42'	Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys

	27 April 2019	Griffons	34–27	Leopards	HT Pelatona Projects Stadium, Welkom
	16:00	Try: Domenic Smit  35' Ezrick Alexander  40', 52' Duncan van Vuuren  59' Jean Pretorius  63' Con: Jaywinn Juries  36', 40', 53' Pen: Neil Stannard  68'	Scoreboard[6][7]	Try: Reuben du Plooy  12', 55' Keagan Tait  31' Edmund Rheeder  72' Con: Siya Masuku  32', 56' Pen: Siya Masuku  45'	Referee: Christopher Allison

	27 April 2019	Welwitschias	23–40	Golden Lions XV	Hage Geingob Stadium, Windhoek
	16:00	Try: Adriaan Booysen  75' JC Winckler  79' Con: PW Steenkamp  76', 80' Pen: PW Steenkamp  8', 38' Drop: Cliven Loubser  57'	Scoreboard[8][9]	Try: Yanga Hlalu  12', 31' Chergin Fillies  43' PJ Botha  52' Ruben Schoeman 62' Stean Pienaar  67' Con: Jeanluc Cilliers  12', 32', 53', 63', 68'	Referee: Vusi Msibi

Round Two

	4 May 2019	Blue Bulls XV	87–21	Welwitschias	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
	12:45	Try: Ruan Steenkamp  3' Embrose Papier  14' Travis Ismaiel  20' Erich Cronjé  23', 37', 39' Duncan Matthews  31', 55' Earll Douwrie  44' Theo Boshoff  48' Nick de Jager  57' Vaughen Isaacs  67' Madot Mabokela  74' Con: JT Jackson  5', 15', 21', 25', 32', 38', 40', 45', 56' Vaughen Isaacs  68', 74'	Scoreboard[10][11]	Try: Leneve Damens  52' Oderich Mouton  63' Adriaan Booysen  78' Con: Cliven Loubser  52' PW Steenkamp  64', 78'	Referee: Griffin Colby

	4 May 2019	Falcons	19–26	Pumas	Bosman Stadium, Brakpan
	15:00	Try: Coert Cronjé  22' Anrich Richter  38' Marco Klopper  67' Con: Anrich Richter  23', 39'	Scoreboard[12][13]	Try: Devon Williams  6', 35' Jeandré Rudolph  12' Marco Palvie  70' Con: Chris Smith  7', 36' Kobus Marais  71'	Referee: Stuart Berry

	4 May 2019	Leopards	27–55	Golden Lions XV	Hoërskool Wolmaransstad, Wolmaransstad
	15:30	Try: Marius Stander  11' Johan Retief  48' Eugene Hare  59' Chriswill September  74' Con: Lincoln Daniels  50', 75' Pen: Lincoln Daniels  8'	Scoreboard[14][15]	Try: Jo-Hanko de Villiers  16', 41', 77' Madosh Tambwe  20', 38', 64' PJ Botha  29' Ulrich Maritz  52' Con: Jeanluc Cilliers  17', 21', 30', 39', 65', 78' Pen: Jeanluc Cilliers  70'	Referee: Archie Sehlako

	4 May 2019	Griffons	26–35	Griquas	HT Pelatona Projects Stadium, Welkom
	16:00	Try: Jaywinn Juries  49' Neil Stannard  52' Con: Jaywinn Juries  51', 53' Pen: Jaywinn Juries  3', 19', 23', 28'	Scoreboard[16][17]	Try: Wendal Wehr  5' André Swarts  24' Anthony Volmink  30' AJ le Roux  39' Khwezi Mkhafu  66' Con: George Whitehead  7', 30' Pen: George Whitehead  57', 76'	Referee: Ruhan Meiring

Round Three

	10 May 2019	Blue Bulls XV	35–20	Griffons	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
	16:50	Try: Duncan Matthews  20' Theo Boshoff  31' Ruan Steenkamp  45', 49' Diego Appollis  78' Con: JT Jackson  22', 31', 46', 50', 79'	Scoreboard[18][19]	Try: Jean Pretorius  18' Arthur Williams  74' Con: Jaywinn Juries  19' Ethan Williams  74' Pen: Jaywinn Juries  15', 25'	Referee: Paul Mente

	10 May 2019	Pumas	40–30	Leopards	Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela
	19:00	Try: HP van Schoor  7', 29' Devon Williams  9' Francois Kleinhans  13' Stefan Willemse  58' JP Lewis  71' Con: Chris Smith  8', 10', 14', 59', 72'	Scoreboard[20][21]	Try: Jimmy Mpailane  25' Edmund Rheeder  46' Keagan Tait  77' Chuiner van Rooyen  80' Con: Schalk Hugo  27', 47' Pen: Schalk Hugo  50' Drop: Schalk Hugo  18'	Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys

	11 May 2019	Golden Lions XV	43–40	Falcons	Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
	12:00	Try: Stean Pienaar  4', 25' Madosh Tambwe  8' Jo-Hanko de Villiers  11', 64' Ruben Schoeman  31' James Venter  41' Con: Jeanluc Cilliers  12', 26', 32', 43'	Scoreboard[22][23]	Try: Marco Klopper  16' Errol Jaggers  35' Anrich Richter  50', 72' Hardus Pretorius  59' Friedle Olivier  66' Con: Anrich Richter  17', 35', 51', 60', 68'	Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni

	11 May 2019	Welwitschias	24–61	Griquas	Hage Geingob Stadium, Windhoek
	16:00	Try: Darryl de la Harpe  22' Thomasau Forbes  57' Chrysander Botha  67' Con: Cliven Loubser  23', 58', 68' Pen: Cliven Loubser  31'	Scoreboard[24][25]	Try: Cody Basson  8' Godfrey Ramaboea  27' penalty try  34' Wilmar Arnoldi  49' Anthony Volmink  53' George Whitehead  62' Michal Haznar  69' Sias Koen  72' Gideon van der Merwe  74' Con: Tinus de Beer  29', 50', 54' George Whitehead  63', 70', 73', 75'	Referee: Jaco Pretorius

Round Four

	18 May 2019	Golden Lions XV	33–51	Pumas	Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
	12:00	Try: Jan-Louis la Grange  34' Prince Nkabinde  45' Sylvian Mahuza  49' Ruben Schoeman  59' Pieter Jansen  80' Con: Sylvian Mahuza  35', 47' Ruan Combrinck  60' Dillon Smit  80'	Scoreboard[26][27]	Try: penalty try  29' Alwayno Visagie  36', 56' Chris Smith  40' Neil Maritz  42', 54' Phumzile Maqondwana  76' Con: Chris Smith  37', 40', 43', 77' Pen: Chris Smith  7', 12'	Referee: Quinton Immelman

	18 May 2019	Griquas	38–17	Blue Bulls XV	Tafel Lager Park, Kimberley
	14:30	Try: Ederies Arendse  8', 65' AJ le Roux  20' André Swarts  26' Sias Koen  56' Con: George Whitehead  10', 21', 27', 57', 66' Pen: George Whitehead  63'	Scoreboard[28][29]	Try: Travis Ismaiel  15' JT Jackson  48' Con: Theo Boshoff  17', 50' Pen: JT Jackson  53'	Referee: Egon Seconds

	19 May 2019	Griffons	34–24	Welwitschias	Rustenburg Impala Rugby Club, Rustenburg
	12:30	Try: Ezrick Alexander  6' Domenic Smit  11' Jean Pretorius  15' Neil Stannard  54' Duan Pretorius  61' Con: Jaywinn Juries  12', 17', 55' Pen: Danrich Visagie  80'	Scoreboard[30][31]	Try: Johann Tromp  2' AJ de Klerk  25' Louis van der Westhuizen  48' Con: Cliven Loubser  2', 27', 50' Pen: Cliven Loubser  39'	Referee: Ben Crouse

	19 May 2019	Leopards	50–52	Falcons	Rustenburg Impala Rugby Club, Rustenburg
	14:30	Try: Eugene Hare  10', 73', 75' Edmund Rheeder  24', 32', 38' Schalk Hugo  44' Andries Fouché  70' Con: Schalk Hugo  25', 40', 71', 74', 76'	Scoreboard[32][33]	Try: Rodney Damons  8', 35' Coert Cronjé  20' Friedle Olivier  51' Andrew van Wyk  57', 67' Errol Jaggers  65' Con: Anrich Richter  9', 21', 36', 52' André du Plessis  58', 66', 68' Pen: Anrich Richter  29'	Referee: Paul Mente

Round Five

	25 May 2019	Pumas	37–28	Griquas	Nelspruit Rugby Club, Mbombela
	15:00	Try: Reynier van Rooyen  14' Jeandré Rudolph  17' Morné Joubert  28', 76' Corniel Els  55' Con: Chris Smith  15', 18', 29' Pen: Chris Smith  9', 25'	Scoreboard[34][35]	Try: Anthony Volmink  6' Ederies Arendse  22' Enver Brandt  62' Conway Pretorius  67' Con: George Whitehead  7', 23', 63', 68'	Referee: Ben Crouse

	25 May 2019	Welwitschias	8–81	Leopards	Hage Geingob Stadium, Windhoek
	16:00	Try: Uazikamisa Mieze  48' Pen: Henrique Olivier  33'	Scoreboard[36][37]	Try: Muziwandile Mazibuko  3' Evardi Boshoff  6', 37' Eugene Hare  10', 35', 42' Morné Moos  20' Lungelo Gosa  25' Gustav du Rand  30' Andries Fouché  59' Bradley Moolman  63' Keagan Tait  68' Boetie Groenewald  76' Con: Schalk Hugo  11', 20', 26', 31', 39', 59', 64', 69'	Referee: Ruhan Meiring

	26 May 2019	Blue Bulls XV	62–24	Golden Lions XV	Bosman Stadium, Brakpan
	12:30	Try: Lian du Toit  12' Diego Appollis  22', 29' Matthys Basson  33' Travis Ismaiel  38', 43' Jade Stighling  40', 78' Duncan Matthews  72' Con: Marnitz Boshoff  13', 30', 39', 40', 44' Theo Boshoff  73', 79' Pen: Marnitz Boshoff  26'	Scoreboard[38][39]	Try: Kennedy Mpeku  1' Ruan Vermaak  7' Prince Nkabinde  50' James Venter  57' Con: Sylvian Mahuza  8' Ruan Combrinck  58'	Referee: Quinton Immelman

	26 May 2019	Falcons	41–31	Griffons	Bosman Stadium, Brakpan
	14:30	Try: Rodney Damons  1', 22' Boela Venter  8' Andries Truter  24', 32' Martin Sithole  60' Con: André du Plessis  23', 24', 33', 61' Pen: André du Plessis  55'	Scoreboard[40][41]	Try: Ezrick Alexander  16', 51', 77' Duan Pretorius  43' Duncan van Vuuren  63' Con: Jaywinn Juries  17' Duan Pretorius  44' Danrich Visagie  77'	Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni

Round Six

	1 June 2019	Golden Lions XV	42–15	Griffons	Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
	14:00	Try: Pieter Jansen  1', 39' Nathan McBeth  11' James Venter  45' Tyreeq February  54' Jan-Louis la Grange  79' Con: Ruan Combrinck  1', 12', 40', 46', 55', 80'	Scoreboard[42][43]	Try: Nkosi Nofuma  62' Domenic Smit  71' Allistair Mumba  76'	Referee: Jaco Pretorius

	1 June 2019	Falcons	22–47	Blue Bulls XV	Bosman Stadium, Brakpan
	15:00	Try: Juandré Nel  30' Thabo Mabuza  38', 79' Shane Kirkwood  63' Con: André du Plessis  31'	Scoreboard[44][45]	Try: Wian van Niekerk  20', 34' Muller Uys  27' Roelof Smit  45' Duncan Matthews  49', 57' Llewellyn Classen  75' Con: Marnitz Boshoff  22', 28', 34', 46', 58' Theo Boshoff  77'	Referee: Ben Crouse

	1 June 2019	Pumas	106–0	Welwitschias	Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela
	15:00	Try: Boeta Vermaak  2' JP Lewis  4', 41' Kobus Marais  13' Henko Marais  18', 71' Marco Palvie  24', 48', 57' Piet-Louw Strauss  30' Etienne Taljaard  38' Phumzile Maqondwana  43' Hilton Lobberts  60', 79' Giovanne Snyman  63' Carel du Preez  75' Con: Kobus Marais  2', 5', 14', 19', 25', 31', 39', 43', 58', 61', 64' Ashlon Davids  76', 80'	Scoreboard[46][47]		Referee: Archie Sehlako

	1 June 2019	Leopards	16–31	Griquas	Leeudoringstad Rugby Club, Leeudoringstad
	15:45	Try: Tjaart Benade  8' Con: Schalk Hugo  9' Pen: Schalk Hugo  18', 28', 33'	Scoreboard[48][49]	Try: Chris Smit  13', 46' Conway Pretorius  30' Ederies Arendse  56' Con: Tinus de Beer  14', 31', 47', 57' Pen: Tinus de Beer  69'	Referee: Jaco Kotze

Round Seven

	7 June 2019	Blue Bulls XV	63–36	Leopards	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
	14:00	Try: Matthys Basson Werner Fourie Roelof Smit Muller Uys Lian du Toit Jade Stighling Andrew Kota (2) Theo Maree Con: Marnitz Boshoff (7) Theo Boshoff (2)	Scoreboard[50][51] [note 1]	Try: Edmund Rheeder (2) Bradley Moolman Chuiner van Rooyen (2) Con: Schalk Hugo (3) Chuiner van Rooyen Pen: Schalk Hugo	Referee: Ruhan Meiring

	8 June 2019	Griquas	45–26	Golden Lions XV	Tafel Lager Park, Kimberley
	14:30	Try: Anthony Volmink  7', 54', 75' Gideon van der Merwe  14' Khwezi Mona  28', 80' Con: George Whitehead  8', 15', 30', 55', 76', 80' Pen: George Whitehead  39'	Scoreboard[52][53]	Try: Mandisi Mthiyane  10' Dillon Smit  24' James Venter  47' Kennedy Mpeku  79' Con: Eddie Fouché  11', 26', 47'	Referee: Paul Mente

	8 June 2019	Griffons	33–48	Pumas	HT Pelatona Projects Stadium, Welkom
	15:00	Try: Jaywinn Juries  8' Vincent Maruping  32' Nkosi Nofuma  44' Allistair Mumba  46' Con: Jaywinn Juries  9', 33' Pen: Jaywinn Juries  6', 69' Danrich Visagie  40'	Scoreboard[54][55][note 2]	Try: Ruwellyn Isbell  3', 51' Corniel Els  23' Stefan Willemse  28' Jeandré Rudolph  37', 55', 72' Marko Janse van Rensburg  76' Con: Kobus Marais  24', 38' Ashlon Davids  55', 77'	Referee: Ben Crouse

	8 June 2019	Welwitschias	12–56	Falcons	Hage Geingob Stadium, Windhoek
	16:00	Try: Gerhard Thirion Milaan van Wyk Con: Lorenzo Louis	Scoreboard[56][57][note 1]	Try: Thabo Mabuza (3) Boela Venter Rodney Damons (3) Coert Cronjé Juandré Nel (2) Con: Andries Truter Anrich Richter (2)	Referee: Quinton Immelman

South Section

Log

2019 Rugby Challenge South Section log
Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	TB	LB	Pts
1	Western Province	7	6	0	1	275	132	+143	36	16	5	1	30
2	Boland Cavaliers	7	6	0	1	252	110	+142	35	14	4	1	29
3	Free State XV	7	5	0	2	342	135	+207	52	17	6	1	27
4	Sharks XV	7	4	0	3	245	197	+48	35	26	5	0	21
5	Eastern Province Elephants	7	4	0	3	212	166	+46	30	22	3	0	19
6	SWD Eagles	7	2	0	5	149	315	−166	21	46	3	0	11
7	Border Bulldogs	7	1	0	6	116	348	−232	15	49	1	1	6
8	Zimbabwe Academy	7	0	0	7	114	302	−188	13	47	1	1	2

• The Boland Cavaliers and Western Province qualified for the semifinals.

Round-by-round

The table below shows each team's progression throughout the season. For each round, each team's cumulative points total is shown with the overall log position in brackets.

Team Progression – South Section
Team	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	R7	SF	F
Western Province	5 (1st)	10 (1st)	15 (1st)	20 (1st)	24 (1st)	29 (1st)	30 (1st)	Lost	—
Boland Cavaliers	5 (2nd)	9 (2nd)	14 (2nd)	15 (2nd)	20 (3rd)	25 (2nd)	29 (2nd)	Lost	—
Free State XV	5 (4th)	5 (6th)	10 (3rd)	15 (3rd)	20 (2nd)	22 (3rd)	27 (3rd)	—	—
Sharks XV	1 (5th)	6 (3rd)	6 (4th)	11 (4th)	16 (4th)	16 (4th)	21 (4th)	—	—
Eastern Province Elephants	0 (7th)	5 (5th)	5 (6th)	10 (5th)	10 (5th)	14 (5th)	19 (5th)	—	—
SWD Eagles	0 (8th)	1 (7th)	6 (5th)	6 (6th)	7 (6th)	11 (6th)	11 (6th)	—	—
Border Bulldogs	5 (3rd)	5 (4th)	5 (7th)	5 (7th)	5 (7th)	6 (7th)	6 (7th)	—	—
Zimbabwe Academy	0 (6th)	0 (8th)	2 (8th)	2 (8th)	2 (8th)	2 (8th)	2 (8th)	—	—
Key:	win	draw	loss	bye

Matches

Round One

	27 April 2019	Boland Cavaliers	34–6	Eastern Province Elephants	Boland Stadium, Wellington
	15:30	Try: Ricardo Duarttee  11' Wikus Groenewald  31' Pat O'Brien  67' Andries Viljoen  69' Con: Garrick Mattheus  12', 32' Joshua Vermeulen  68', 70' Pen: Garrick Mattheus  20', 46'	Scoreboard[58][59]	Pen: Richman Gora  24', 28'	Referee: Archie Sehlako

	27 April 2019	Free State XV	40–31	Sharks XV	Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
	15:00	Try: Jamba Ulengo  25', 32', 65' Janus Venter  45' Carel-Jan Coetzee  56' Dian Badenhorst  76' Con: Ernst Stapelberg  26', 33', 46', 66' Tapiwa Mafura  77'	Scoreboard[60][61]	Try: penalty try  8' Leolin Zas  9', 15' Rhyno Smith  20' Con: Rhyno Smith  11', 15', 20' Drop: Rhyno Smith  63'	Referee: Paul Mente

	28 April 2019	SWD Eagles	7–62	Western Province	Buffalo City Stadium, East London
	12:30	Try: Marquit September  28' Con: Gerhard Nortier  30'	Scoreboard[62][63]	Try: Edwill van der Merwe  17', 54' Nico Leonard  25' Dan Jooste  38' Abner van Reenen  51' Sihle Njezula  61' EW Viljoen  71' Johan du Toit  73' Craig Barry  80' Con: Abner van Reenen  19', 26', 40', 52', 54' Lyle Hendricks  61', 80' Pen: Abner van Reenen  11'	Referee: Griffin Colby

	28 April 2019	Border Bulldogs	41–16	Zimbabwe Academy	Buffalo City Stadium, East London
	14:30	Try: Sipho Nofemele  1', 49' Bangi Kobese  10' Lubabalo Lento  33' Onke Dubase  64' Aphiwe Stemele  76' Con: Aphiwe Stemele  2', 11', 50', 77' Pen: Aphiwe Stemele  42'	Scoreboard[64][65]	Try: Brian Nyaude  31' Con: Brendon Mandivenga  32' Pen: Brendon Mandivenga  5', 9', 40'	Referee: Ruhan Meiring

Round Two

	4 May 2019	Boland Cavaliers	21–10	Free State XV	Paternoster Sports Ground, Paternoster
	14:00	Try: Adriaan Ludick  9' Tapiwa Tsomondo  17' Michaine Fick  38' Con: Garrick Mattheus  10', 18', 39'	Scoreboard[66][67]	Try: Boan Venter  64' Jamba Ulengo  69'	Referee: Egon Seconds

	4 May 2019	Eastern Province Elephants	59–31	SWD Eagles	Wolfson Stadium, KwaZakele
	15:30	Try: Michael Botha  8' Stephan de Wit  14' Richman Gora  23', 31' Rynardt van Wyk  40' Mihlali Mpafi  45' Oliver Zono  48' Diego Williams  59' Meli Rokoua  69' Con: Oliver Zono  9', 24', 31', 40', 60', 69' Ntabeni Dukisa  49'	Scoreboard[68][69]	Try: Ganfried May  35' Dillin Snel  42' Vuyo Mbotho  51' Marquit September  71', 75' Con: Gerhard Nortier  37' Divan Nel  72', 75'	Referee: Divan Uys

	4 May 2019	Border Bulldogs	24–48	Western Province	Kempston Park, East London
	16:00	Try: Billy Dutton  31' Foxy Ntleki  47' penalty try  63' Con: Aphiwe Stemele  32', 48' Pen: Aphiwe Stemele  58'	Scoreboard[70][71]	Try: Nico Leonard  18' Chad Solomon  45', 53' Marno Redelinghuys  49' Cornel Smit  65' Craig Barry  77' Con: Abner van Reenen  20', 47', 49', 54', 66', 78' Pen: Abner van Reenen  10', 27'	Referee: Ben Crouse

	4 May 2019	Zimbabwe Academy	14–36	Sharks XV	Phil Herbstein Field, Constantia
	16:00	Try: Biselele Tshamala  50', 71' Con: Jeremiah Jaravaza  50' Hilton Mudariki  72'	Scoreboard[72][73]	Try: Adam Mountfort  1' Murray Koster  10', 44' Lunga Ncube  18' Connor Botha  56' Kwanda Dimaza  62' Con: Rhyno Smith  2', 11', 57'	Referee: Jaco Pretorius

Round Three

	10 May 2019	Sharks XV	20–47	Western Province	KP2, Kings Park, Durban
	16:00	Try: Kwanda Dimaza  5' Wian Vosloo  47' Con: Rhyno Smith  6', 47' Pen: Rhyno Smith  1', 10'	Scoreboard[74][75]	Try: penalty try  20', 28' Edwill van der Merwe  32', 41' Paul de Wet  62' Marno Redelinghuys  70' Craig Barry  75' Con: Abner van Reenen  33', 42', 63', 72'	Referee: Stuart Berry

	11 May 2019	Border Bulldogs	0–52	Boland Cavaliers	Police Park, East London
	15:30		Scoreboard[76][77]	Try: Valentino Wellman  15', 51' Tapiwa Tsomondo  18', 41', 60' Pat O'Brien  47' Shilton van Wyk  56', 79' Con: Garrick Mattheus  16', 19', 48' Joshua Vermeulen  52' Monty Dumond  57', 80'	Referee: Griffin Colby

	12 May 2019	Eastern Province Elephants	12–49	Free State XV	D'Almeida Stadium, Mossel Bay
	12:00	Try: Michael Botha  8' Michael Makase  26' Con: Oliver Zono  8'	Scoreboard[78][79]	Try: Jamba Ulengo  16' Ernst Stapelberg  22', 66' Tapiwa Mafura  39' Jasper Wiese  44' Marlou van Niekerk  48' Marnus van der Merwe  80' Con: Ernst Stapelberg  17', 23', 40', 45', 49', 68', 80'	Referee: Ruhan Meiring

	12 May 2019	SWD Eagles	31–30	Zimbabwe Academy	D'Almeida Stadium, Mossel Bay
	14:00	Try: Dillin Snel  1' Shario Rosenkrantz  9' Marquit September  26', 65' Lwando Mabenge  77' Con: Gerhard Nortier  2', 27' Leighton Eksteen  66'	Scoreboard[80][81]	Try: Kudzai Mashawi  14' Aiden Burnett  62' George Saungweme  74' Cleopas Kundiona  80' Con: Jeremiah Jaravaza  14' Hilton Mudariki  80' Pen: Jeremiah Jaravaza  42', 47'	Referee: Vusi Msibi

Round Four

	17 May 2019	Sharks XV	29–28	Boland Cavaliers	KP2, Kings Park, Durban
	15:00	Try: penalty try  13' Sicelo Tole  20' Lwazi Mvovo  32' Rhyno Smith  67' Con: Rhyno Smith  33', 68' Pen: Rhyno Smith  80'	Scoreboard[82][83]	Try: Valentino Wellman  10' Shilton van Wyk  36' Shirwin Cupido  62' Con: Garrick Mattheus  37', 64' Pen: Garrick Mattheus  23', 42', 66'	Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys

	18 May 2019	Western Province	33–13	Zimbabwe Academy	DHL Newlands, Cape Town
	14:30	Try: Chad Solomon  3' Godlen Masimla  24', 48' Johan du Toit  38' Edwill van der Merwe  62' Con: Abner van Reenen  4', 25', 49', 63'	Scoreboard[84][85]	Try: Kuda Chiwanza  67' Con: Brendon Mandivenga  68' Pen: Brendon Mandivenga  20', 59'	Referee: Vusi Msibi

	18 May 2019	Free State XV	64–17	SWD Eagles	Clive Solomon Stadium, Heidedal
	14:30	Try: Adriaan Carelse  1' Jasper Wiese  3', 13', 79' Boan Venter  26' Darren Adonis  29' Jamba Ulengo  32' Keanan Murray  34' Niell Jordaan  45' Carel-Jan Coetzee  67' Con: Ernst Stapelberg  4', 14', 30', 33', 34', 46' Lubabalo Dobela  67'	Scoreboard[86][87]	Try: Leighton Eksteen  10' Shario Rosenkrantz  18' Con: Divan Nel  11', 19' Pen: Divan Nel  16'	Referee: Divan Uys

	19 May 2019	Eastern Province Elephants	52–3	Border Bulldogs	Wolfson Stadium, KwaZakele
	15:00	Try: Athi Mayinje  2' Michael Botha  5', 32' Zingisa April  15', 43' Rynardt van Wyk  17' Ntabeni Dukisa  46' Diego Williams  77' Con: Ntabeni Dukisa  16', 19', 34', 44', 47', 78'	Scoreboard[88][89]	Pen: Aphiwe Stemele  24'	Referee: Archie Sehlako

Round Five

	25 May 2019	Western Province	27–13	Eastern Province Elephants	DHL Newlands, Cape Town
	12:15	Try: David Brits  40' Kwenzo Blose  55' Chris Massyn  79' Con: Abner van Reenen  40', 57', 80' Pen: Abner van Reenen  29', 63'	Scoreboard[90][91]	Try: Riaan Arends  34' Con: Ntabeni Dukisa  35' Pen: Ntabeni Dukisa  18', 26'	Referee: Jaco Kotze

	25 May 2019	Sharks XV	82–24	Border Bulldogs	Jonsson Kings Park, Durban
	14:30	Try: Cullen Collopy  1' Boeta Chamberlain  3', 72' Zee Mkhabela  10' Khutha Mchunu  13' Sicelo Tole  20' Jeremy Ward  27' Charlie Mayeza  30', 36', 41' penalty try  71' Murray Koster  79' Con: Inny Radebe  2', 4', 11', 15', 28', 31', 36', 42' Boeta Chamberlain  73', 80'	Scoreboard[92][93]	Try: Sipho Nofemele  40' Aphiwe Stemele  49' Sonwabiso Mqalo  58' Con: Aphiwe Stemele  40', 50', 59' Pen: Dilolo Mapuko  8'	Referee: Stuart Berry

	25 May 2019	SWD Eagles	28–43	Boland Cavaliers	Rosemore Stadium, George
	14:30	Try: Marquit September  17', 79' Dillin Snel  27', 64' Con: Gerhard Nortier  18', 29' Leighton Eksteen  66', 79'	Scoreboard[94][95]	Try: Shilton van Wyk  6' Kenan Cronjé  13', 24' Francois Esterhuyzen  38' Valentino Wellman  61', 74' Con: Garrick Mattheus  7', 15', 25', 62', 76' Pen: Garrick Mattheus  71'	Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron

	25 May 2019	Zimbabwe Academy	10–66	Free State XV	Phil Herbstein Field, Constantia
	16:00	Try: Aiden Burnett  58' Con: Brendon Mandivenga  59' Pen: Brendon Mandivenga  1'	Scoreboard[96][97]	Try: Janus Venter  3' Tapiwa Mafura  18', 39' Lubabalo Dobela  26', 34' Jamba Ulengo  41', 60' Jacques du Toit  69' Darren Adonis  76' Daniel Maartens  80' Con: Ernst Stapelberg  4', 27', 70' Lubabalo Dobela  35', 40', 42' Adriaan Carelse  62', 76'	Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge

Round Six

	31 May 2019	SWD Eagles	18–17	Border Bulldogs	Outeniqua Park, George
	19:00	Try: Wayne Wilschut  44' Anton Smit  65' Con: Gerhard Nortier  66' Pen: Divan Nel  12' Gerhard Nortier  72'	Scoreboard[98][99]	Try: Onke Dubase  33' Sipho Nofemele  48' Con: Aphiwe Stemele  34', 50' Pen: Aphiwe Stemele  40'	Referee: Vusi Msibi

	1 June 2019	Boland Cavaliers	52–16	Zimbabwe Academy	Boland Stadium, Wellington
	15:30	Try: Michaine Fick  7', 61' Shilton van Wyk  12' Thurlow Marsh  27' Jordan Holgate  32', 52' Tapiwa Tsomondo  57' Valentino Wellman  79' Con: Garrick Mattheus  8', 13', 33', 53' Gavern Skippers  63' Monty Dumond  80'	Scoreboard[100][101]	Try: Royal Mwale  47' Brendon Mandivenga  73' Pen: Brendon Mandivenga  1', 17'	Referee: Quinton Immelman

	2 June 2019	Free State XV	33–37	Western Province	Wolfson Stadium, KwaZakele
	12:30	Try: Jasper Wiese  3' Darren Adonis  6', 62' Günther Janse van Vuuren  34' Carel-Jan Coetzee  58' Con: Lubabalo Dobela  4', 36', 59', 63'	Scoreboard[102][103]	Try: EW Viljoen  20' Brandon Valentyn  49' penalty try  68' Tristan Leyds  72' Con: Abner van Reenen  21', 50', 73' Pen: Abner van Reenen  13', 75', 80'	Referee: Stuart Berry

	2 June 2019	Eastern Province Elephants	27–7	Sharks XV	Wolfson Stadium, KwaZakele
	14:30	Try: Tristan Fourie  45' Mihlali Mpafi  54' Martin du Toit  62' Con: Ntabeni Dukisa  46', 56', 63' Pen: Ntabeni Dukisa  6', 28'	Scoreboard[104][105]	Try: Lwazi Mvovo  79' Con: Boeta Chamberlain  79'	Referee: Paul Mente

Round Seven

	8 June 2019	Free State XV	80–7	Border Bulldogs	Clive Solomon Stadium, Heidedal
	14:00	Try: Bertie de Bod  3' Tapiwa Mafura  7', 67', 78' Francois Agenbag  12', 64' Jamba Ulengo  16', 80' Günther Janse van Vuuren  57' Lubabalo Dobela  60', 74' Dian Badenhorst  71' Con: Lubabalo Dobela  4', 13', 18', 57', 61', 65', 67', 71', 79' Adriaan Carelse  80'	Scoreboard[106][107]	Try: Bangi Kobese  72' Con: Dilolo Mapuko  72'	Referee: Vusi Msibi

	8 June 2019	Zimbabwe Academy	15–43	Eastern Province Elephants	Brookside, Cape Town
	15:00	Try: Sam Phiri  54' Kuda Chiwanza  80' Con: Kuzi Kazembe  80' Pen: Jeremiah Jaravaza  13'	Scoreboard[108][109]	Try: Martin du Toit  9' Mihlali Mpafi  19' Sherwin Slater  20' Tristan Fourie  30' Riaan Arends  41' Stephan de Wit  62' Oliver Zono  64' Con: Richman Gora  9' Oliver Zono  31', 41', 63'	Referee: Divan Uys

	9 June 2019	Sharks XV	40–17	SWD Eagles	Florida Park, Parow
	12:30	Try: Gideon Koegelenberg  7' Jacques Ackerman  15' Bandisa Ndlovu  25' Luyanda Mngadi  33' Leolin Zas  38' Lwazi Mvovo  67' Con: Rhyno Smith  8', 26', 33', 39', 68'	Scoreboard[110][111]	Try: Shario Rosenkrantz  20' Dewald Dekker  77' Con: Gerhard Nortier  20' Divan Nel  78' Pen: Gerhard Nortier  37'	Referee: Egon Seconds

	9 June 2019	Western Province	21–22	Boland Cavaliers	Florida Park, Parow
	14:30	Try: Schalk Erasmus  16' David Brits  53' Con: Abner van Reenen  18' Pen: Abner van Reenen  8', 44', 67'	Scoreboard[112][113]	Try: Valentino Wellman  11' Neil Rautenbach  24' penalty try  28' Con: Garrick Mattheus  26' Pen: Garrick Mattheus  72'	Referee: Griffin Colby

Title play-offs

Semifinals

	16 June 2019	Western Province	21–50	Griquas	KaNyamazane Stadium, Mbombela
	12:30	Try: Craig Barry  13' Brandon Valentyn  58' Con: Abner van Reenen  59' Pen: Abner van Reenen  39', 40', 43'	Scoreboard[114][115]	Try: Enver Brandt  3', 49' Gideon van der Merwe  31', 73' Eduan Keyter  46' Zak Burger  60' Anthony Volmink  75' Con: George Whitehead  32', 47', 50', 62', 75', 76' Pen: George Whitehead  11'	Referee: Paul Mente

	16 June 2019	Pumas	57–32	Boland Cavaliers	KaNyamazane Stadium, Mbombela
	14:30	Try: Ruwellyn Isbell  7', 72' Willie Engelbrecht  11' Jeandré Rudolph  21' Chris Smith  30' Ryan Nell  35' Corniel Els  59' Devon Williams  64' Marco Palvie  77' Con: Chris Smith  12', 30', 36', 65', 73', 78' Cards: Marko Janse van Rensburg  57'	Scoreboard[116][117]	Try: Zandré Jordaan  23' penalty try  80' Con: Garrick Mattheus  24' Pen: Garrick Mattheus  4', 19', 40', 44', 52', 57'	Referee: Quinton Immelman

Final

	23 June 2019	Pumas	13–28	Griquas	Saldanha Stadium, Saldanha Bay
	14:30	Try: Devon Williams  29', 67' Pen: Chris Smith  21'	Scoreboard[118][119]	Try: Anthony Volmink  23' AJ le Roux  53' Eduan Keyter  76' Con: George Whitehead  25', 77' Pen: George Whitehead  7', 35', 39'	Referee: Ben Crouse

Honours

The honour roll for the 2019 Rugby Challenge was as follows:

2019 Rugby Challenge
Champions:	Griquas (1st title)
Top points scorer:	George Whitehead, Griquas (95)
Top try scorer:	Jamba Ulengo, Griquas (10)

Referees

The following referees officiated matches in the 2019 Rugby Challenge:

2019 Rugby Challenge referees

Christopher Allison • Aimee Barrett-Theron • Stuart Berry • Griffin Colby • Ben Crouse • Stephan Geldenhuys • Quinton Immelman • Cwengile Jadezweni • Jaco Kotze • Ruhan Meiring • Paul Mente • Vusi Msibi • Jaco Pretorius • Rasta Rasivhenge • Egon Seconds • Archie Sehlako • Divan Uys

See also

• 2019 Currie Cup Premier Division
• 2019 Currie Cup First Division

Notes

1. The times of the scores are unknown.
2. SuperSport incorrectly credits one of Jeandré Rudolph's three tries to Marko Janse van Rensburg. It's unknown whether this is the 55th-minute try or the 76-minute try, the former has been assumed.