A spot in the Currie Cup Premier Division is up for grabs for four of the eight provincial rugby teams participating in this year's second edition of the South Africa (SA) Cup that kicks off on Friday 7 March.
Last year's inaugural edition of the SA Cup saw the Suzuki Griquas crowned champions after defeating the Airlink Pumas in the final, while the Toyota Cheetahs and Novavit Griffons reached the semi-finals after finishing third and fourth on the log, respectively.
However, the first season of the SA Cup had no extra incentive for the eight participating teams as the Cheetahs, Griffons, Griquas and Pumas were already guaranteed of a participating spot in the Currie Cup Premier Division.
But this year, the six Currie Cup First Division sides, Border Bulldogs, Eastern Province, Hino Valke, Leopards, Phangela SWD Eagles, and Sanlam Boland Cavaliers will have extra motivation. Finishing among the top four will see them qualify to play in the Premier Division alongside United Rugby Championship franchise teams DHL Western Province (Stormers), Emirates Lions, Hollywoodbets Sharks, and the Vodacom Bulls.
Favourites for Premier Division spot
The Cheetahs, Griquas, Griffons and Pumas however enter the start of the competition as favourites to retain their spots amongst the top table of Currie Cup rugby.
Especially factoring in last season’s results where the aforementioned sides ran out comfortable winners against their First Division counterparts.
Defending champions the Griquas were particularly ruthless against First Division teams after beating the Border Bulldogs by 119-5, the Eastern Province 50-0 and the Leopards by 88-0 during the league phase.
Cavaliers a dark horse
All eyes will however be on 2024 Currie Cup First Division champions Sanlam Boland Cavaliers who have had a big cash injection after African Rainbow Capital bought a controlling share in the union’s professional arm in 2023.
The Cavaliers finished fifth in last season’s SA Cup and were the one First Division side that proved they can mix it up with the Premier Division’s best sides.
And since Hawies Fourie took over as head coach at the beginning of 2024, the Cape Winelands side has signed some big-name players during the off-season. Former Springbok and Bulls centre Cornal Hendricks has returned to his home union. Ex-Sharks flyhalf Garth April is also back in the Boland while scrumhalf Godlen Masimla has also joined the Cavaliers after his contract with the Stormers ended last season.
The team has also had a great pre-season after securing wins in all seven with the most notable victories coming against a Stormers XV (35-15) and the Namibian national team (54-25).
Hot Start to SA Cup
The SA Cup kicks off on Friday 7 March when last year’s SA Cup runners-up the Airlink Pumas host the Pangela SWD Eagles at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit at 5pm while on Saturday 8 March will see three games kick off simultaneously at 3pm. When the defending SA Cup champions, Suzuki Griquas, start their title defence against Leopards at Olen Park in Potchefstroom.
The Hino Valke welcome Eastern Province to the Barnard Stadium in Kempton Park, the Border Bulldogs host Novavit Griffons at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane and in probably the biggest game of Round One, the Sanlam Boland Cavaliers take on the Toyota Cheetahs at Boland Stadium in Wellington.
