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 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. The other teams in the competition for 2022 were 2019 champions, the Toyota Cheetahs (from Bloemfontein), as well as the Cell C Sharks (Durban), DHL Western Province (Cape Town), the Sigma Lions (Johannesburg).
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 |
Toyota Cheetahs
|
12 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 403 | 250 | 153 | 54 | 30 | 48 |
| 2 |
Vodacom Bulls
|
12 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 398 | 306 | 92 | 56 | 42 | 47 |
| 3 |
Windhoek Draught Griquas
|
12 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 383 | 345 | 38 | 48 | 42 | 36 |
| 4 |
Airlink Pumas
|
12 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 334 | 293 | 41 | 43 | 32 | 29 |
| 5 |
Cell C Sharks
|
12 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 255 | 284 | -29 | 26 | 34 | 27 |
| 6 |
DHL Western Province
|
12 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 294 | 381 | -87 | 36 | 52 | 19 |
| 7 |
Sigma Lions
|
12 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 278 | 486 | -208 | 35 | 66 | 15 |
| There are currently no fixtures available. |
SA Rugby Under-21 Cup
SA Rugby U21 competitions near business endThe penultimate round of SA Under-21 Cup league fixtures were contested over the past weekend, which resulted in victories for the log-leading Vodacom Bulls and their nearest challengers, DHL Western Province, while there were also two important matches played in the U21 Shield competition.
Vodacom United Rugby Championship
Leinster sound clear warning as they signal intentThe South African sides may have made an exceptional start to the opening three rounds of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, but even in these embryonic early stages it is apparent that Irish powerhouse Leinster are determined to reclaim their hegemony in the competition.
Vodacom United Rugby Championship
Nineteen out of twentyFour from four yet again, with 19 log points out of a possible 20 tell the story of yet another amazing weekend of rugby for the four South African teams in the third round of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
Vodacom United Rugby Championship
Stormers earn bonus-point win against EdinburghThe DHL Stormers, defending champions in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, survived a strong start by Edinburgh to secure their second victory in as many matches in the competition with a 34-18 bonus-point win at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday.
Vodacom United Rugby Championship
Sharks snatch vital away win against the DragonsThe Cell C Sharks clinched their second win in as many matches when they defeated the Dragons 20-19 in their Vodacom United Rugby Championship match at Rodney Parade in Newport on Saturday night.
