About

CARLING CURRIE CUP FIRST DIVISION

The NovaVit Griffons were crowned Carling Currie Cup First Division champions for 2025 after the winners in 2024 and 2023 winners, the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers, qualified for the Premier Division through the SA Cup. The Griffons beat the table-topping Valke - winners of the Mzansi Challenge in 2023 - in a tense final in Kempton Park. The other teams in the competition were the Eastern Province from Gqeberha, the Phangela SWD Eagles (George), the Leopards (Potchefstroom), and Border Bulldogs (East London). The Griffons, champions in 2022, 2017 and 2016, played in the Premier Division for a few seasons. Other recent champions are the Leopards (2021), Jaguares from Argentina (2019), Eagles (2018).

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	PF	PA	DIFF	TF	TA	PTS
1	NovaVit Griffons	6	5	1	322	171	151	47	23	26
2	Valke	6	5	1	239	145	94	34	21	26
3	Eastern Province	5	3	2	149	160	-11	23	22	16
4	Leopards	5	2	3	125	182	-57	19	28	11
5	Phangela SWD Eagles	5	1	4	140	185	-45	22	27	10
6	Border Bulldogs	5	0	5	105	237	-132	13	37	2