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. This season, the teams were divided into two groups of four each by virtue of 2023’s standings, playing home and away matches within their respective groups plus a single round of games against sides in the opposite group. In the end, the top four sides on the combined log progressed to the semi-finals - the Lions, Bulls, Sharks and Cheetahs.
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 |
Fidelity ADT Lions
|
10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 437 | 215 | 222 | 62 | 31 | 43 |
| 2 |
Vodacom Bulls
|
10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 384 | 266 | 118 | 54 | 37 | 38 |
| 3 |
Hollywoodbets Sharks
|
10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 351 | 258 | 93 | 48 | 35 | 35 |
| 4 |
Toyota Cheetahs
|
10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 352 | 281 | 71 | 50 | 36 | 30 |
| 5 |
Suzuki Griquas
|
10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 310 | 356 | -46 | 46 | 51 | 24 |
| 6 |
Airlink Pumas
|
10 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 331 | 391 | -60 | 46 | 57 | 24 |
| 7 |
DHL Western Province
|
10 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 311 | 314 | -3 | 41 | 39 | 20 |
| 8 |
NovaVit Griffons
|
10 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 185 | 580 | -395 | 27 | 88 | 3 |
| There are currently no fixtures available. |
Fidelity ADT Lions
14 - 16
Hollywoodbets Sharks
European Professional Club Rugby
Another tough weekend for SA teams in EuropeThe Emirates Lions scored a sole victory for the South African francises in the two European competions this weekend, with the Toyota Cheetahs going down in Cardiff in the EPCR Challenge Cup, while the Vodacom Bulls, Hollywoodbets Sharks and DHL Stormers were all outplayed in the Investec Champions Cup.
European Professional Club Rugby
SA teams look for improvement on Super SaturdayWhile the Hollywoodbets Sharks and Toyota Cheetahs will look to build on their encouraging starts to the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup last week, the Vodacom Bulls, DHL Stormers, and Emirates Lions will target a strong comeback after suffering defeats in the opening round of the European showpieces respectively last week.
European Professional Club Rugby
Less than ideal start for SA teams in EuropeThe Hollywoodbets Sharks kept the South African flag flying on the opening round of the Investec Champions Cup, which saw defeats for the DHL Stormers and the Vodacom Bulls, while the Toyota Cheetahs managed a draw and the Emirates Lions slipped to a defeat in Wales in the EPCR Challenge Cup.
HSBC SVNS Cape Town
SA and NZ crowned Cape Town championsHosts South Africa beat Olympic champions France 26-14 to win a thriller of a men’s final and claim their first HSBC SVNS title in Cape Town in nine years, while New Zealand beat USA 26-12 to take women's title and lead the world series standings.
Review
Semi-finals decided at HSBC SVNS Cape TownThe semi-finalists were confirmed at the end of a thrilling first day at HSBC SVNS Cape Town and there was joy for the fervent home crowd as South Africa put both Argentina and Ireland to the sword to set up a men’s semi-final clash with Spain who continued the fine form that saw them reach their first world series final in Dubai last weekend.
