The 2023 Currie Cup Bulletin #29

Two highly charged Currie Cup semi-finals will be staged in Bloemfontein and Durban on Saturday, while the Mzansi Challenge will conclude with the final in Kempton Park.

The Toyota Cheetahs finished the Premier Division league phase at the top of the standings, and will host the Vodacom Bulls in the first playoff on Saturday. Hawies Fourie’s charges beat the men from Pretoria twice in the regular season – claiming a 32-7 win in the round three fixture in Bloemfontein, and a 31-27 victory at Loftus Versfeld last week.

The Free Staters scored the most points (439) and tries (63) over the course of the 14-game league phase. It will be interesting to see how the Vodacom Bulls’ defence copes with the Toyota Cheetahs attack in the semi-final. Jake White’s side has conceded the second-most points (415) and tries (53). Only the NovaVit Griffons have conceded more.

That said, the Toyota Stadium has hardly been a fortress this season, with the Free Staters winning three, losing three and drawing one at their home venue. For this reason, the Vodacom Bulls may fancy their chances of an upset in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

The Cell C Sharks lost 44-5 to DHL Western Province last week. The heavy defeat in Cape Town cost Joey Mongalo’s team a first-place finish in the standings, although they will enjoy home advantage when they face the Airlink Pumas – who are coming off a 27-17 win against Windhoek Draught Griquas in Kimberley.

Etienne Taljaard of the Airlink Pumas takes on the Cell C Sharks' defence earlier this season.

The KwaZulu-Natalians beat the defending champions twice during the league phase – claiming a 19-12 win in Durban in round five, and a 24-22 victory in Nelspruit in round 10.

The semi-final in Durban on Saturday could witness another fiercely contested, low-scoring affair. The Cell C Sharks conceded the fewest tries during the regular season (37) while the Airlink Pumas conceded the second-fewest (38).

Mzansi Challenge

Opening a day of playoff matches, the Valke will host the SWD Eagles in the Mzanzi Challenge final in Kempton Park on Saturday.

The Valke scored eight tries in the 57-30 semi-final win against the Leopards last week. The Eagles progressed to the decider after claiming a 38-27 victory against the Boland Kavaliers.

Next weekend, the Kavaliers will host the Valke in the Currie Cup First Division final in Wellington. The match will in all likelihood be played on Saturday 24 June, with the kick-off time to be confirmed.

Match information:

Valke v SWD Eagles
Venue: Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park
Date: Saturday, 17 June
Time: 12h30
Referee: Christopher Allison
TV: SuperSport (211)

Toyota Cheetahs v Vodacom Bulls
Venue: Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
Date: Saturday, 17 June
Time: 15h00
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
TV: SuperSport (201 and 211)

Cell C Sharks v Airlink Pumas
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Date: Saturday, 17 June
Time: 17h30
Referee: Marius Van der Westhuizen
TV: SuperSport (201 and 211)

Currie Cup Premier Division First Division Mzansi Challenge Vodacom Bulls Airlink Pumas Fidelity ADT Lions NovaVit Griffons Toyota Cheetahs Cell C Sharks DHL Western Province Windhoek Draught Griquas

Be part of history in Cape Town this December...

In a little over two weeks’ time, Cape Town will yet again throw Rugby’s Biggest Party, when HSBC SVNS returns to the su...

Rescheduled Vodacom URC derbies confirmed...

The new dates for the two opening round Vodacom United Rugby Championship derbies involving the four South African teams...

Bulls and Sharks shine for SA in Vodacom URC...

The Vodacom Bulls and Hollywoodbets Sharks provided a ray of light for South Africa’s teams in the Vodacom United Rugby ...

SA sides gear up for important round before break...

Another gripping round of Vodacom United Rugby Championship action awaits this weekend as the Emirates Lions face their ...

Coastal sides bounce back as Lions remain unbeaten...

The Emirates Lions, Hollywoodbets Sharks, and DHL Stormers made it a Super Saturday for the South African franchises in ...

Kolisi recovery on track as Boks prepare for Rugby Champs

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber and SA Rugby Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus gave the nation good news regarding Siya Kolisi on Wednesday, saying they hoped the Bok captain would return to the field before the Rugby World Cup, while stressing that their focus currently was on the Castle Lager Rugby Championship.

EPCR tournament formats for 2023/24 announced

Following a spectacularly successful season which included the historic introduction of the top South African clubs into its tournaments, record-breaking attendances and a memorable Finals Weekend, EPCR is pleased to announce new formats for the 2023/24 Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup.

Change in venue for U16 Grant Khomo Week

The Grant Khomo Week for Under-16 boys will move to the premises of Hoër Landbouskool Boland in the Western Cape winelands, SA Rugby confirmed on Tuesday.

Daisies blank WP as Dames open their account

The Bulls Daisies scored an emphatic victory over DHL Western Province in Cape Town on Saturday to maintain their unbeaten status in the Women’s Premier Division after six rounds, while the Boland Dames finally broke their duck with a pulsating win over EP Queens in Wellington.

Bulls stamp authority with third straight title

The Vodacom Bulls emerged triumphant with a convincing 36-14 victory over the Cell C Sharks in the final of the SA Rugby Under-19 Cup at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon, to seal their third straight triumph in this age-group competition.

Nienaber “very happy” as Boks wrap up first week of training camp

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber was happy that his squad had ticked the necessary boxes in the first few days of their three-week training camp in Pretoria as they prepare for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship.

The 2023 Currie Cup Bulletin #30

The Airlink Pumas will defend their Currie Cup Premier Division crown against the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday after the teams from Mpumalanga and the Free State won their respective semi-finals this weekend.

Good Fortune guides Valke to Mzansi glory

Flyhalf Keagan Fortune contributed 25 points as the Valke beat the SWD Eagles 55-38 (half-time 31-14) to clinch the inaugural Mzanzi Challenge title - their first silverware since 2006 - in Kempton Park on Saturday, with 12 tries scored in a superb final.

Daisies in full bloom as Eagirls show intent

The Bulls Daisies made it six in a row in the Women’s Premier Division with a ruthless display of skill at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday by beating their Gauteng opponents, the Mastercard Golden Lions Women, by 72-7, while DHL Western Province scored an important win on the road against the EP Queens in Nelson Mandela Bay in round seven of the competition.