CARLING CURRIE CUP

PREMIER DIVISION

ALL STATS

CURRENT CHAMPIONSSuzuki Griquas

YEAR STARTED1889

NUMBER OF TEAMS7

MATCHES PER TEAM

OVERVIEW

ABOUT

Suzuki Griquas were crowned 2025 champions when they edged the Fidelity ADT Lions in a pulsating final in Johannesburg, dethroning 2024 champions, the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV. The Toyota Cheetahs (2023), Airlink Pumas (2022) and Vodacom Bulls (2020 and 2021) are other recent champions. These teams were joined in the 2025 Premier Division by the DHL WP and the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers, who returned to the competition for the first time since 2016, while the Griffons have dropped out after the SA Cup. The 2025 season was contested over a single round of matches, with the Lions, Griquas, Cheetahs and Kavaliers progressing to the semi-finals.

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.