About
The Hollywoodbets Sharks XV upset the odds when they edged the Fidelity ADT Lions in a pulsating final in Johannesburg in 2024, dethroning 2023 season champions the Toyota Cheetahs. The Airlink Pumas (2022) and Vodacom Bulls (2020 and 2021) are other recent champions. These teams were joined in the 2024 Premier Division by the DHL WP, Suzuki Griquas and the Novavit Griffons. This season, the teams were divided into two groups of four each by virtue of 2023’s standings, playing home and away matches within their respective groups plus a single round of games against sides in the opposite group. In the end, the top four sides on the combined log progressed to the semi-finals - the Lions, Bulls, Sharks and Cheetahs.
The history
The Currie Cup is one of the oldest rugby competitions in the world, with the first games played in 1889, but it was only in 1892 that it became officially known as the Currie Cup. The original participating unions were Western Province, Griqualand West, Transvaal and Eastern Province. The first tournament was held in Kimberley and was won by Western Province. The Currie Cup trophy was donated to South Africa in 1891 by the touring British Isles team - it was given to the tourists by Sir Donald Currie, owner of Union-Castle Lines, the shipping company that transported them to the southern tip of Africa. Sir Donald was clear with his instructions – hand this trophy over to the team in South Africa that gives you the best game. After a spirited display where the unbeaten British Lions narrowly won 3-0, Griqualand West became the first ever holders of the Currie Cup.
| Pos | Team | PL | W | L | D | PF | PA | DIFF | TF | TA | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Fidelity ADT Lions
|
10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 437 | 215 | 222 | 62 | 31 | 43 |
| 2 |
Vodacom Bulls
|
10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 384 | 266 | 118 | 54 | 37 | 38 |
| 3 |
Hollywoodbets Sharks
|
10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 351 | 258 | 93 | 48 | 35 | 35 |
| 4 |
Toyota Cheetahs
|
10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 352 | 281 | 71 | 50 | 36 | 30 |
| 5 |
Suzuki Griquas
|
10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 310 | 356 | -46 | 46 | 51 | 24 |
| 6 |
Airlink Pumas
|
10 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 331 | 391 | -60 | 46 | 57 | 24 |
| 7 |
DHL Western Province
|
10 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 311 | 314 | -3 | 41 | 39 | 20 |
| 8 |
NovaVit Griffons
|
10 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 185 | 580 | -395 | 27 | 88 | 3 |
| There are currently no fixtures available. |
Fidelity ADT Lions
14 - 16
Hollywoodbets Sharks
Vodacom United Rugby Championship
Coastal sides prevail over Gauteng foes as Vodacom URC returnsThe Hollywoodbets Sharks and DHL Stormers made strong statements in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship this weekend, with both coastal teams emerging victorious at home in gripping local derbies.
News
Nominees revealed for SA Rugby Awards 2024World Rugby’s Men’s 15s Player of the Year for 2024, Springbok flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit, is one of five nominees for SA Rugby’s Men’s Player of the Year for the past season, along with Damian De Allende, Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe and Ox Nche.
Vodacom United Rugby Championship
Vodacom URC resumes with gripping local derbiesThe Vodacom United Rugby Championship returns with a bang this weekend after back-to-back rounds of Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup rugby, and to the delight of local fans, they will be treated to two mouthwatering South African derbies.
European Professional Club Rugby
Another tough weekend for SA teams in EuropeThe Emirates Lions scored a sole victory for the South African francises in the two European competions this weekend, with the Toyota Cheetahs going down in Cardiff in the EPCR Challenge Cup, while the Vodacom Bulls, Hollywoodbets Sharks and DHL Stormers were all outplayed in the Investec Champions Cup.
European Professional Club Rugby
SA teams look for improvement on Super SaturdayWhile the Hollywoodbets Sharks and Toyota Cheetahs will look to build on their encouraging starts to the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup last week, the Vodacom Bulls, DHL Stormers, and Emirates Lions will target a strong comeback after suffering defeats in the opening round of the European showpieces respectively last week.
