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. This season, the teams were divided into two groups of four each by virtue of 2023’s standings, playing home and away matches within their respective groups plus a single round of games against sides in the opposite group. In the end, the top four sides on the combined log progressed to the semi-finals - the Lions, Bulls, Sharks and Cheetahs.
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 |
Fidelity ADT Lions
|
10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 437 | 215 | 222 | 62 | 31 | 43 |
| 2 |
Vodacom Bulls
|
10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 384 | 266 | 118 | 54 | 37 | 38 |
| 3 |
Hollywoodbets Sharks
|
10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 351 | 258 | 93 | 48 | 35 | 35 |
| 4 |
Toyota Cheetahs
|
10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 352 | 281 | 71 | 50 | 36 | 30 |
| 5 |
Suzuki Griquas
|
10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 310 | 356 | -46 | 46 | 51 | 24 |
| 6 |
Airlink Pumas
|
10 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 331 | 391 | -60 | 46 | 57 | 24 |
| 7 |
DHL Western Province
|
10 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 311 | 314 | -3 | 41 | 39 | 20 |
| 8 |
NovaVit Griffons
|
10 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 185 | 580 | -395 | 27 | 88 | 3 |
| There are currently no fixtures available. |
Fidelity ADT Lions
14 - 16
Hollywoodbets Sharks
European Professional Club Rugby
Bulls, Sharks and Lions into Challenge Cup playoffsThere was a ray of light for the South African franchises this past weekend as the Vodacom Bulls, Hollywoodbets Sharks, and Emirates Lions qualified for the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 following the completion of the pool rounds in both European competitions.
News
Vodacom URC launches #MentalFitnessMonthAs part of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship's wider ambition to raise awareness and try destigmatise mental health within the rugby community the Vodacom URC have collaborated with mental health-focused charity, LooseHeadz.
Investec Champions Cup
Heading for a thrilling pool phase conclusionThe Vodacom Bulls are effectively the odd one out on a final weekend of Investec Champions Cup group action in which 23 of the 24 teams stand a chance of advancing to the knock-out phase.
European Professional Club Rugby
Make-or-break as SA teams hunt playoffs in EuropeIt will be a case of sink or swim for the five South African franchises participating in the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup competitions this weekend as the pool stage reaches a close with the first playoff round, which will play out in April, moving into view.
Investec Champions Cup
Big week ahead for Sharks and Stormers in FranceThe two South African coastal franchises will go “flat out” this week to try and ensure qualification for the playoff rounds of the Investec Champions Cup after a mixed bag of results in round three of the tournament.
