The launch of the 2023 Currie Cup is in the spotlight this week, pitting the ‘minnow’ unions against teams from South Africa’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship regions.
The 2022 edition of the Currie Cup saw a historic victory for the Pumas, who claimed their first-ever title in a memorable final against Griquas in Kimberley.
The addition of the Griffons, last year’s First Division champions, to the Premier Division means the Pumas will have to defend their Currie Cup title against seven other teams, over a double round of matches.
It will be the Griquas who host the opening game of the season against the Cheetahs, which gets underway at 4pm on Friday.
Newly promoted Griffons face a tough trip to Durban to take on the Sharks at Kings Park at 1.30pm on Saturday, before the Lions host Western Province at 3.30pm in Johannesburg.
Title-holders Pumas get their campaign underway against the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria at 1pm on Sunday.
Currie Cup fixtures (round one):
Griquas vs Cheetahs (Friday, 4pm, Kimberley)
Sharks vs Griffons (Saturday, 1.30pm, Durban)
Lions vs Western Province (Saturday, 3.30pm, Johannesburg)
Vodacom Bulls vs Pumas (Sunday, 1pm, Pretoria)
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