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 Currie Cup Premier Division 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. In 2023, these three sides will be joined by the Toyota Cheetahs (from Bloemfontein), Cell C Sharks (Durban), DHL Western Province (Cape Town), Sigma Lions (Johannesburg) and the Down Touch Griffons (Welkom), who were promoted after winning the First Division in 2022.
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.
Windhoek Draught Griquas
10 Mar | Windhoek Draught Park, Kimberley
17:00
Toyota Cheetahs
Vodacom Bulls
10 Mar | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
19:05
Airlink Pumas
Cell C Sharks
11 Mar | Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
13:30
Down Touch Griffons
Lions
11 Mar | Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
15:30
DHL Western Province
Down Touch Griffons
19 Mar | HT Pelatona Projects Stadium, Welkom
15:00
Toyota Cheetahs
Vodacom United Rugby Championship
SA eyes on Glasgow and Ulster next weekendGlasgow Warriors, the team that set back the DHL Stormers’ ambitions in the first game of 2023, could hold the key to the Capetonians’ chances of repeating last year’s second position on the final Vodacom United Rugby Championship log.
Vodacom United Rugby Championship
Big crowds expected for derbies in GautengThe Vodacom United Rugby Championship may be on a short hiatus this week, but when the action resumes next weekend, it will be with two massive South African derbies in Gauteng.
Vodacom United Rugby Championship
DHL Stormers remain on course in Vodacom URCThe DHL Stormers remained on course for a possible home playoff spot in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship on Saturday as they registered their ninth victory of the competition by defeating the Cell C Sharks 46-19 in their postponed Round one clash at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in the only match of the weekend.
Vodacom United Rugby Championship
Stormers maintain stronghold with big win in DurbanThe DHL Stormers maintained their stronghold in second place on the Vodacom United Rugby Championship log as they registered a rewarding 46-19 victory against the Cell C Sharks in their postponed round one clash at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban on Saturday.
Vodacom United Rugby Championship
Sharks, Stormers name their sides for Coastal DerbyLoose forwards Phepsi Buthelezi and Deon Fourie will captain the Cell C Sharks and DHL Stormers when they clash in an eagerly awaited Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash in Durban on Saturday.
