About
South Africa's oldest and premier provincial competition, which was contested from October 2020 to January 2021 during a season disrupted by COVID-19, ended in joy for the Vodacom Bulls as they won the title for the first time since 2009, beating the Durban-based Cell C Sharks in a dramatic and nail-biting home final in Pretoria. The other teams in the competition for 2021 are 2019 champions, the Toyota Cheetahs (from Bloemfontein), as well as DHL Western Province (Cape Town), Sigma Lions (Johannesburg), New Nation Pumas (Nelspruit) and Tafel Lager Griquas (Kimberley).
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 |
Vodacom Bulls
|
7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 130 | 109 | 21 | 18 | 14 | 28 |
| 2 |
Cell C Sharks
|
7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 135 | 115 | 20 | 17 | 12 | 25 |
| 3 |
Tafel Lager Griquas
|
7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 177 | 152 | 25 | 19 | 20 | 24 |
| 4 |
New Nation Pumas
|
7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 167 | 151 | 16 | 20 | 17 | 20 |
| 5 |
DHL Western Province
|
7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 211 | 218 | -7 | 24 | 28 | 17 |
| 6 |
Sigma Lions
|
7 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 133 | 188 | -55 | 20 | 25 | 16 |
| 7 |
Toyota Cheetahs
|
6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 95 | 115 | -20 | 11 | 13 | 14 |
Tafel Lager Griquas
06 Aug | Tafel Lager Park, Kimberley
14:30
Sigma Lions
Vodacom Bulls
06 Aug | Jonsson Kings Park, Durban
19:00
Cell C Sharks
DHL Western Province
07 Aug | DHL Newlands, Cape Town
14:30
Toyota Cheetahs
New Nation Pumas
11 Aug | Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
14:30
Cell C Sharks
Vodacom Bulls
11 Aug | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
16:45
Tafel Lager Griquas
Tournament news
The Carling Currie Cup Bulletin #14There is no place to hide in the Carling Currie Cup as the three visiting sides made life tough for their hosts this weekend, with the New Nation Pumas, Vodacom Bulls and Tafel Lager Griquas victorious.
Match report
Gutsy Griquas win Carling Currie Cup game of cardsDetermination trumped desperation as Tafel Lager Griquas claimed another big scalp when they defeated the Cell C Sharks 37-27 in a most unusual Carling Currie Cup clash at Jonsson Kings Park on Saturday afternoon.
Match report
Bulls grab five against 14-man WP in Cape TownThe Vodacom Bulls laid down a strong marker in the Carling Currie Cup when they beat DHL Western Province by 34-13 at DHL Newlands on Friday evening, to move to the top of the standings.
Match report
Pumas edge Lions to stay in the huntThe New Nation Pumas scored a third win in the 2021 Carling Currie Cup, beating the Sigma Lions 36-33 in a highly entertaining match at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Friday.
Tournament news
The Carling Currie Cup Bulletin #13If the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division was a 4x100m relay race, the competition would now reach the second changeover as the home straight moves into sight with six games remaining before the playoffs.
