The semifinals are often forgotten affairs but the first one was one of the most memorable matches at Newlands since World War II.

That day Boland, captained by Dawie de Villiers were leading 11-3, after climbing into Western Province in the loose. Pietman Basson, Corne Krige's father-in-law, and Pierre Ackerman had scored tries, Ackerman's off an intercept followed by a thrilling 70-metre run.

The man who made the difference was the great, unique HO de Villiers, fullback for Western Province. He started running and it changed the game. He converted a try by Preston Robertson and then came into the line on the left of a scrum just inside Boland's half. He made an overlap for speedster Andy van der Watt who scored in the left corner. From touch, HO converted and the final whistle went. People charged onto the ground, as they were allowed to do in those friendly days, and swamped HO the Hero.

Semifinal matches and results

1969:
Western Province vs Boland 13-11 at Newlands

1970:
Northern Transvaal vs Natal, 24-8 in Durban

1971:
Transvaal vs Natal, 16-9 in Johannesburg

1973:
Northern Transvaal vs Rhodesia, 20-7 in Pretoria
Orange Free State vs Western Province, 19-15 at Newlands

1974:
Transvaal vs Eastern Province, 30-6 in Johannesburg

1979:
Northern Transvaal vs Eastern Province, 16-6 in Port Elizabeth
Western Province vs Griqualand West, 20-15 in Kimberley

1980:
Northern Transvaal vs South Eastern Transvaal, 49-6 in Pretoria
Western Province vs Eastern Province, 21-13 in Port Elizabeth

1981:
Northern Transvaal vs Northern Free State, 36-12 in Pretoria
Orange Free State vs Eastern Transvaal, 28-15 in Springs

1982:
Western Province vs Natal, 47-18 at Newlands
Northern Transvaal vs Northern Free State, 24-21 in Welkom

1983:
Northern Transvaal vs Northern Free State, 32-15 in Pretoria
Western Province vs Natal, 7-3 in Durban

1984:
Natal vs Orange Free State, 26-15 in Durban
Western Province vs Eastern Transvaal, 53-0 at Newlands

1987:
Transvaal vs South West Africa, 12-9 in Windhoek

1988:
Western Province vs Northern Free State, 26-9 in Welkom

1989:
Western Province vs Western Transvaal, 71-9 in Potchefstroom

1996:
Natal vs Orange Free State, 35-20 in Durban
Transvaal vs Northern Transvaal, 31-21 in Pretoria

1997:
Western Province vs Gauteng Lions, 38-18 at Newlands
Free State Cheetahs vs Natal, 40-22 in Durban

1998:
Western Province vs Griqualand West, 24-11 in Kimberley
Blue Bulls vs Natal, 31-17 in Pretoria

1999:
Natal vs Free State, 45-17 in Durban
Lions vs South Western Districts Eagles, 81-21 in George

2000:
Natal vs Free State Cheetahs, 29-15 in Durban
Western Province vs Lions, 43-22 at Newlands

2001:
Natal vs Lions, 16-9 in Durban
Western Province vs Free State Cheetahs, 40-18 at Newlands

2002:
Blue Bulls vs Natal, 22-19 in Durban
Lions vs State Cheetahs, 43-29 in Bloemfontein

2004:
Blue Bulls vs Lions, 40-33 in Pretoria
Free State Cheetahs vs Western Province 17-11 at Newlands

2005:
Blue Bulls vs Lions, 31-23 in Pretoria
Free State Cheetahs vs Western Province, 16-11 at Newlands

2006:
Free State Cheetahs vs Sharks, 30-14 in Bloemfontein
Blue Bulls vs Western Province, 45-30 in Pretoria

2007:
Free State Cheetahs vs Blue Bulls, 11-6 in Bloemfontein
Lions vs Sharks, 19-12 in Durban

2008:
Blue Bulls vs Free State Cheetahs, 31-19 in Pretoria
Sharks vs Golden Lions, 29-14 in Durban

2009:
Sharks vs Free State Cheetahs in Durban
Western Province vs Blue Bulls at Newlands