The Currie Cup is a domestic rugby union competition in South Africa. Teams in the Currie Cup represent entire provinces or regions within provinces. Although it is the premier domestic competition, South African teams also compete in the international Super Rugby and Pro14 competitions.

Steeped in history and tradition, the Currie Cup dates back to 1891 and is regarded as the cornerstone of South Africa's rugby heritage. The coveted gold trophy remains the most prestigious prize in South African domestic rugby.

Currie Cup History

 

As one of the oldest rugby competitions across the globe the Currie Cup’s first games were played in 1889 but it was only officially named the Currie Cup in 1892. In 1889, after the South African Rugby Board was founded it was decided to move away from being an inter-province competition to a national competition with representative teams from all the major unions.

Transvaal, Western Province Griqualand West and Eastern Province were the participating unions in the first tournament hosted in Kimberley, home of Griqualand West. It was won by Western Province and the silver cup that was donated by the South African Rugby Board to the winners can now be found in the SA Rugby Museum in Cape Town.

The Currie Cup’s existence came to be thanks to the first international side to tour the country, The British Isles. Sir Donald Currie who owned Union-Castle Lines, the shipping company that shipped the touring sides’ belongings to the shores of South Africa, sent a golden cup with and instructed the tourists to give the trophy to their most deserving opponents. Griqualand West, who lost 3-0 to The British Isles on that tour became the first holders of the cup.

The trophy was then donated to the South African Rugby Board and became a floating trophy. In 1892 Western Province became the first official holders of the Currie Cup. Western Province dominated the early years and claimed 10 titles by 1920, Griqualand West were the only other team to win it in 1899 and 1911. A number of years were missed due to war.

Transvaal took the title in 1922 but Western Province continued to dominate and won the trophy four more times, and shared it twice with Border by 1938. Transvaal won it for a second time in 1939 but their dominance was to arrive some years later. 

The Currie Cup resumed in 1946 after the Second World War with Northern Transvaal holding the trophy aloft after beating Western Province 11-9 at Loftus Versfeld. This was followed by a few years of dominance by Transvaal as they went on to win in 1950 and 1952 before the trophy returned to Cape Town with Western Province in 1954.

The 1980’s are often referred to as the golden age of Currie Cup rugby. Globally sport was growing fast but South Africa couldn’t compete internationally which made the Currie Cup an extremely popular tournament.

The 1989 final is still known as one of the finest finals to have ever taken place in the Currie Cup. South African legend Carel du Plessis scored a last-minute try to help Western Province level the scores at 16-all against Northern Transvaal. Riaan Gouws missed the conversion which would have given Western Province their sixth title in the decade, a feat never previously attained.

As the 90’s came around so did the professionalism of rugby. The emergence of Natal and a Francois Pienaar led Transvaal followed. Natal won the Currie Cup in 1990 thanks to a Joel Stransky masterclass in the final against Northern Transvaal as Natal ran out 18-12 winners.

The two names of Joel Stransky and Francois Pienaar came to international prominence when their heroics led the Springboks to Rugby World Cup glory in 1995. No team has managed the sort of dominance like Western Province in the early years since the age of professionalism with all major unions claiming at least one Currie Cup title in the last 20 years.

The Lions (formerly Transvaal) won it in 1999, 2011 and 2015, Western Province in 1997, 2000, 2001, 2012, 2014 and 2017 and the Bulls (formerly Northern Transvaal) in 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2009. The Free State Cheetahs took the title in 2005, 2007 and 2016 while the Sharks (formerly Natal) won the Currie Cup in 2008, 2010, 2013 and 2018.

In 2006 the Bulls and Cheetahs shared the title after a scintillating final in which the two teams drew 28-all after extra time in Bloemfontein.

The emergence of Super Rugby has knocked the Currie Cup down a level of importance but it remains the premier rugby union competition in the country. It remains a crucial trophy among supporters while the competition still offers great development opportunities for the younger generations.

Knowing all the Currie Cup results is imperative if you are going to be able to successfully predict what is going to happen in the upcoming matches. Check the results for match statistics such as possession and tryscorers to gain an advantage against the bookmakers.

Knowing all the fixtures including home and away information is crucial when attempting to pick the Currie Cup winner. 

Western Province have won the most Currie Cup titles with 34 while they have shared the trophy on four occasions.

All leading bookmakers will offer odds for the 2025 Currie Cup including outright winner market and match odds.

Many bookmakers will offer free bets and special offer for Currie Cup matches. Check out our bookmaker reviews for all the best bookies to use for betting on the Currie Cup.

Currie Cup matches will often feature in our bet of the day. Our bet of the day is our best bet and could come from a range of sports including football, cricket, NBA, boxing or tennis.

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