Two Paarl club rugby players accused in the CPUT rape case have asked the Wellington Magistrate’s Court to release them on bail.

The men, aged 23 and 28, face rape charges involving a 21-year-old Cape Peninsula University of Technology student. They deny the allegations and intend to plead not guilty, according to court papers cited in the supplied report.

Accused seek bail in CPUT rape case

The two accused were arrested on 27 April 2026 after the alleged rape of the student. Court papers state that the alleged incident happened in the early hours of 26 April 2026 at the complainant’s residence.

During the bail application, one accused claimed he previously had consensual sex with the complainant in 2025. He also claimed that, after meeting her at a nightclub, he and his co-accused went to her room on her invitation.

The State alleges that one accused raped the complainant several times while the other restrained her in common purpose. Both accused said they can each afford R1,000 bail.

State opposes release in Schedule 6 matter

The State is opposing bail because the men face a Schedule 6 offence. Under South Africa’s Criminal Procedure Act framework, Schedule 6 includes rape in certain aggravated circumstances, including repeated rape or where more than one person allegedly acted in common purpose.

A previous Newsroom report said police confirmed that the two rugby players remained in custody after appearing in the Wellington Magistrate’s Court. That report also cited police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg as saying the case had been postponed for a formal bail application.

Responses and next court date

The accused have not been named because they have not yet pleaded. Their identities remain protected at this stage of the criminal process.

The supplied court report did not include a fresh response from CPUT, the complainant, or the rugby club. The matter was postponed to Friday, 8 May 2026, for the State to respond to the bail applications.