An explosive start to the 2025 Carling Currie Cup Premier Division is set for this coming weekend, with several exciting matchups taking place from Friday to Sunday, while the Valke will host the NovaVit Griffons in the Carling Currie Cup First Division final in Kempton Park on Saturday.
Silverware will be on the line at the Barnard Stadium from 15h00 on Saturday afternoon, when the Valke and NovaVit Griffons will cross swords in the First Division final.
Both teams will be hoping to finish their season with a bang. The last clash between them was in the opening round of the competition last month, when the Valke beat the Griffons by 36-26 in Welkom, while the men from the East Rand also won their SA Cup clash against the Northern Free Staters by 45-40 in Kempton Park in April.
A high-scoring clash could be on the cards as the Griffons, who won four on the bounce against the Valke between 2021 and 2024, will hope to turn the tables this time around.
Kicking off the Premier Division action this year is a replay of the recent SA Cup final between traditional rivals the Airlink Pumas and Suzuki Griquas on Friday night in Nelspruit.
On Saturday afternoon, the defending champions, the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV, take on the Fidelity ADT Lions in a repeat of their dramatic 2024 final in Johannesburg, where action starts from 15h00.
The early afternoon fixture at Ellis Park will be followed by a North-South derby in Cape Town between DHL Western Province and the Vodacom Bulls, from 17h10, at DHL Stadium.
The weekend’s first round action concludes on Sunday afternoon in Wellington, where the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers, who won promotion to the Premier Division via the SA Cup, tackle the Toyota Cheetahs in their opening fixture at 15h00.
The Carling Currie Cup is where the next generation of Springbok stars are unearthed as playing opportunities are afforded to the best local talent and in the coming months, several members of the triumphant Junior Springbok squad, who won the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy, will make the step-up to senior provincial rugby.
Due to a much-needed break after their successful campaign in Italy, the Junior Bok players will however only return to action in their provincial colours form next week, when fans will be able to see the talented youngsters in action in South Africa’s oldest senior domestic competition.
It’s not only the current crop of SA U20s who will be in action, as the provincial unions are set to unleash fresh talent from across the country, showcasing the rich talent and potential brewing within their respective squads.
For Carling Black Label, this tournament represents more than sponsorship – it’s an investment in further fermenting the foundation of the South African rugby excellence, with the partnership continuing the decades-long association between SAB and SA Rugby.
This demonstrates Carling Black Label’s commitment to South African sport and community development through rugby excellence, according to Kerryn Greenleaf, Carling Black Label Brand Director.
“This champion brand continues to sponsor the Currie Cup because this domestic tournament gives Carling Black Label the opportunity to share its brand purpose with South African rugby fans,” said Greenleaf.
“We use their passion for the game to help recognize and reward the champion within themselves, and to showcase that the Carling Currie Cup is truly where ‘Champions are Made’. Like crafting the international award-winning beer, developing rugby champions requires the right ingredients, patience, and passion.”
All the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division matches will be broadcast live on the SuperSport Rugby channel.
Match information:
Carling Currie Cup First Division Final: Valke vs NovaVit Griffons
Date: Saturday, 26 July
Venue: Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park
Kick-off: 15h00
Referee: Lulutho Matomela
Broadcast: SuperSport Variety 3 (channel 208)
Carling Currie Cup Premier Division:
Airlink Pumas vs Suzuki Griquas
Date: Friday, 25 July
Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Kick-off: 19h00
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Broadcast: SuperSport Rugby
Fidelity ADT Lions vs Hollywoodbets Sharks XV
Date: Saturday, 26 July
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 15h00
Referee: Dylen November
Broadcast: SuperSport Rugby
DHL Western Province vs Vodacom Bulls
Date: Saturday, 26 July
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 17h10
Referee: Sean Muller
Broadcast: SuperSport Rugby
Sanlam Boland Kavaliers vs Toyota Cheetahs
Date: Sunday, 27 July
Venue: Sanlam Boland Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 15h00
Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys
Broadcast: SuperSport Rugby
Tomcat
The first ever international match took place in 1844.
Dark Horse
Sport Trivia: Who was the first black player to represent South Africa in rugby? Answer: Errol Tobias made his debut for South Africa on 30th May 1981, against Ireland at Newlands. South Africa won the match 23-15. He went on to win six caps between 1981 and 1984.