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 Youth Weeks
Free State boys and WP girls claim bragging rightsFree State were without equal at the 2022 SA Rugby U16 Grant Khomo Week in Kimberley, confirming their dominance with an impressive 39-18 win over the Sharks in the final match on Thursday, while DHL Western Province finished in equally impressive fashion, beating the Sharks 61-0 in the final match of the U18 Girls Week in Welkom.
SA Rugby Youth Weeks
Five teams undefeated in Welkom; Sharks and Free State to battle it out in KimberleyFive teams – the Mastercard Golden Lions, Border, Eastern Province, DHL Western Province and Limpopo Blue Bulls – finished the SA Rugby U16 Girls Week in Welkom undefeated, with all of them securing consecutive victories in their matches played on Monday and Wednesday.
European Professional Club Rugby
EPCR pool draws confirmed for 2022/23 seasonThe five South African teams taking part in the Heineken Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup next season found out on Thursday who their pool opponents will be when they enter two of the toughest competitions in world rugby.
SA Rugby Youth Weeks
Sharks and Free State flex muscles in KimberleyThe Sharks and Free State showed serious intent on day two of the SA Rugby U16 Grant Khomo Week in Kimberley, scoring impressive wins over traditional power houses, DHL Western Province and Blue Bulls on Tuesday.
Carling Champions Match
Strong Carling Champions Team named to face Italy ‘A’Jimmy Stonehouse will coach a 30-man squad brimming with Springboks and Blitzboks, and blended with some of the most promising youngsters on the local provincial scene when they assemble in Nelson Mandela Bay on Monday for the second Carling Champions Match, scheduled for Saturday.
