About
The Airlink Pumas from Mpumalanga defied the odds and made history by winning South Africa's oldest and premier provincial competition in 2022, after beating Windhoek Draught Griquas in a pulsating final in Kimberley on 25 June. The Pretoria-based Vodacom Bulls won the title in 2020 and 2021, but lost in the semi-finals in 2022. The other teams in the competition for 2022 were 2019 champions, the Toyota Cheetahs (from Bloemfontein), as well as the Cell C Sharks (Durban), DHL Western Province (Cape Town), the Sigma Lions (Johannesburg).
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 |
Toyota Cheetahs
|
12 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 403 | 250 | 153 | 54 | 30 | 48 |
| 2 |
Vodacom Bulls
|
12 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 398 | 306 | 92 | 56 | 42 | 47 |
| 3 |
Windhoek Draught Griquas
|
12 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 383 | 345 | 38 | 48 | 42 | 36 |
| 4 |
Airlink Pumas
|
12 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 334 | 293 | 41 | 43 | 32 | 29 |
| 5 |
Cell C Sharks
|
12 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 255 | 284 | -29 | 26 | 34 | 27 |
| 6 |
DHL Western Province
|
12 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 294 | 381 | -87 | 36 | 52 | 19 |
| 7 |
Sigma Lions
|
12 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 278 | 486 | -208 | 35 | 66 | 15 |
| There are currently no fixtures available. |
Vodacom United Rugby Championship
Dragons provide Welsh boost with first major upsetLife beyond Johann van Graan hasn’t started well for Munster, who were at the receiving end of the first big upset of the new Vodacom United Rugby Championship season at the weekend. There were several significant points about the Dragons’ shock win over the Irish powerhouse province that were worth talking about, not the least of them being what it might mean for the morale of Welsh club rugby.
SA Rugby Under-21 Cup
Lions shock Bulls in SA Rugby Under-21 CupThe Lions scored a surprise 27-20 victory over the front-running Vodacom Bulls in their SA Rugby Under-21 Cup derby played in Johannesburg, while the Toyota Cheetahs managed to edge the Cell C Sharks 23-19 in their Bloemfontein encounter, with both games taking place on Friday after a short break in the competition last weekend.
Vodacom United Rugby Championship
Full house of Vodacom URC victories for SA teamsThe DHL Stormers started the defence of their Vodacom United Rugby Championship title in perfect fashion with a bonus-point win, and although the three other South African teams had their supporters on the edge of their seats, the Emirates Lions, Vodacom Bulls and Cell C Sharks came away with tight victories on a perfect weekend for the four teams from the Republic.
Vodacom United Rugby Championship
Solid opening win for Stormers over ConnachtThe DHL Stormers opened the defence of their Vodacom United Rugby Championship crown with a well-deserved 38-15 win in an entertaining match played at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch on Saturday afternoon.
Vodacom United Rugby Championship
Bulls sneak home against impressive EdinburghNail-biting until the very end – with the teams’ kickers basically determining the result – as the Vodacom Bulls won their second Vodacom United Rugby Championship match on the bounce by 33-31 (half-time 15-14) over an Edinburgh side that refused to let the Pretoria heat or altitude get to them, with Scotland speedster Darcy Graham grabbing a hat-trick of tries in the process.
