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
Carling Currie Cup
The 2025 Carling Currie Cup Bulletin #2The Valke, Leopards and Eastern Province were on the winning side in the opening round of the Carling Currie Cup First Division which took place on Saturday.
Vodacom United Rugby Championship
Leinster outplay Bulls to clinch Vodacom URC titleLeinster, who topped the Vodacom United Rugby Championship log, proved too good for the Vodacom Bulls in front of a 40 000-strong crowd in wet and cold conditions at Croke Park in Dublin on Saturday night in the Grand Final of the cross-hemisphere showpiece, outscoring the men from Pretoria by four tries to one for a 32-7 victory and their first title since the 2020/21 season.
Vodacom United Rugby Championship
Battle lines drawn in Vodacom URC Grand FinalWill the Vodacom Bulls be third time lucky or can Leinster break their Vodacom United Rugby Championship drought?
Carling Currie Cup
The 2025 Carling Currie Cup Bulletin #1A new name will be engraved on the Carling Currie Cup First Division trophy in the last weekend of July, and all six teams will be eager to get their charge off to a strong start when the competition kicks off on Saturday.
Vodacom United Rugby Championship
Piardi to referee Vodacom URC Grand FinalAndrea Piardi will referee his third consecutive Vodacom United Rugby Championship Grand Final this Saturday after the Italian was selected to oversee the clash between Leinster and the Vodacom Bulls at Croke Park in Dublin.
