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, but in 2025, the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers will return to the competition for the first time since 2016, while the Griffons have dropped out after the SA Cup. This season, the teams will play a single round of matches, with the top four progressing to the semi-finals (weekend of 13 September) before the final, on Saturday, 20 September.
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.
Airlink Pumas
25 Jul | Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
19:00
Suzuki Griquas
Fidelity ADT Lions
26 Jul | Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
15:00
Hollywoodbets Sharks
DHL Western Province
26 Jul | DHL Stadium, Cape Town
17:10
Vodacom Bulls
Sanlam Boland Kavaliers
27 Jul | Boland Stadium, Wellington
15:00
Toyota Cheetahs
Fidelity ADT Lions
14 - 16
Hollywoodbets Sharks
Vodacom United Rugby Championship
Momentum crucial as VURC pool stages concludeSouth Africa’s three Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarter-finalists, the Vodacom Bulls, Hollywoodbets Sharks, and DHL Stormers, will have their sights set on building winning momentum with an eye on the playoffs as the curtain drops on the pool stages this weekend, while the Emirates Lions will look to wrap up their campaign on a high note.
SA Cup
Scintillating SA Cup semi-finals on the cardsRiveting action is expected when the Airlink Pumas host Sanlam Boland Kavaliers in the first SA Cup semi-final in Nelspruit on Friday evening (19h00), and when the defending champions, Suzuki Griquas, face the Toyota Cheetahs in Kimberley on Saturday afternoon (15h00) as the competition winds to a thrilling finish.
SA Rugby Under-21 Cup and Shield
Lions go top after Bulls, WP draw in U21 CupThe Fidelity ADT Lions Under-21 side gained their second win of the SA Rugby U21 Cup competition to go top of the log when they defeated the Leopards U21 in Johannesburg last weekend.
Vodacom United Rugby Championship
Stormers join Bulls, Sharks in Vodacom URC playoffsThe DHL Stormers have booked their spot in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarter-finals alongside the Vodacom Bulls and Hollywoodbets Sharks after a good penultimate weekend of league action for the three South African teams.
SA Cup
Boland lock down last qualifying spot in SA CupThe Sanlam Boland Kavaliers recorded a bonus-point victory over Eastern Province in Gqeberha on Saturday afternoon to seal fourth spot in the SA Cup which guarantees them a place in the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division for the 2025 season.
