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
Vodacom United Rugby Championship
SA teams look to build momentum in Vodacom URCSouth Africa’s four Vodacom United Rugby Championship teams will look to gain momentum in the cross-hemisphere spectacle this weekend in their second round of matches, as the Emirates Lions and Vodacom Bulls attempt to build on their home victories last week, while the Hollywoodbets Sharks and DHL Stormers will be seeking their first wins of the season.
African Rainbow Community Gold Cup
Semi-final spots up for grabs as Gold Cup heats upCollege Rovers, Helderberg and Northam Rhinos stormed to big wins in the African Rainbow Community Gold Cup Round of 16, and will host quarter-finals this coming weekend, with matches taking place in Durban, Strand, Setaria and Pretoria.
News
Nienaber on life at the top of a “beautiful competition”Leinster Rugby coach Jacques Nienaber has dubbed the Vodacom United Rugby Championship a “beautiful competition” as he surveys the scene from the top of the table.
News
Springboks’ depth growing thanks to Vodacom URCThe incredible depth in South African rugby at Test level is the envy of the rugby world, and Emirates Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen believes the Vodacom United Rugby Championship is helping to develop this.
Vodacom United Rugby Championship
Local joy for two South African sidesThe opening weekend of Vodacom United Rugby Championship action for the four South African franchises delivered a mixed bag of results, with the two home teams bagging victories in Gauteng, while the coastal sides suffered defeats on the road in Wales and Ireland.
