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, but in 2025, the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers will return to the competition for the first time since 2016, while the Griffons have dropped out after the SA Cup. This season, the teams will play a single round of matches, with the top four progressing to the semi-finals (weekend of 13 September) before the final, on Saturday, 20 September.
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.
Airlink Pumas
25 Jul | Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
19:00
Suzuki Griquas
Fidelity ADT Lions
26 Jul | Ellis Park
15:00
Hollywoodbets Sharks
DHL Western Province
26 Jul | DHL Stadium, Cape Town
17:10
Vodacom Bulls
Sanlam Boland Kavaliers
27 Jul | Boland Stadium, Wellington
15:00
Toyota Cheetahs
FNB Youth Weeks
SA Schools squads announced after successful FNB U18 Craven WeekEight players who were part of the two SA Schools squads last year have been included in the two groups again this year when the teams do battle in Middelburg in Mpumalanga on Thursday, 17 July.
FNB Youth Weeks
WP ground Eagles to win FNB Craven Week finaleDHL Western Province powered past South Western Districts to win the final match of the FNB U18 Craven Week in Middelburg while the Blue Bulls, Obaro Golden Lions and Free State finished their respective campaigns on a high.
Carling Currie Cup
The 2025 Carling Currie Cup Bulletin #10The Valke and NovaVit Griffons will host the Carling Currie Cup First Division semi-finals next weekend after the top two teams finished the league phase of the competition with solid victories, while the Leopards edged into the top four with a bonus-point victory over the Phangela SWD Eagles in George.
Carling Currie Cup
The 2025 Carling Currie Cup Bulletin #9The Carling Currie Cup First Division will go down to the wire on Friday when five of the six teams will set their sights on finishing as high as possible on the standings as the playoffs move into view.
FNB Youth Weeks
Southern teams impress as FNB U18 Craven Week heats upDHL Western Province and Eastern Province claimed crucial derby wins on the fourth day of the FNB U18 Craven Week at Hoërskool Middelburg.
