The Currie Cup is back and ready to take South Africa by storm in what will be an exciting Rugby World Cup year.
The opening match of the 2023 season will be hosted by Kimberley, the same venue where the thrilling 2022 season came to a close. The Griquas came close to making history, but stumbled at the final hurdle. It was the Pumas who ultimately earned a historic win, as they claimed their maiden Currie Cup trophy.
A redemption year for WP
The Western Province has a lot to prove this year. Under the guidance of Jerome Paarwater, they only managed to win three matches last year, leaving them in second to last place.
But with a new season comes new opportunities, and the Western Province will be looking to turn their fortunes around and make a statement in the Currie Cup.
John Dobson and his team of assistants will look to get the Blue and White stripes back on top (where they belong). The Stormers coaching team will do double duty this year, which will improve the synergy between the WP and Stormers squads.
What to expect from Round one of the Currie Cup
The opening match promises to be a thrilling Central South African derby. The game is scheduled to start at 16h00 at Windhoek Draught Park in the Diamond City, where the Airlink Pumas made history by lifting the famous gold cup for the first time just over eight months ago.
The weekend will be action-packed, with a further two matches scheduled for Saturday and one on Sunday afternoon.
The Cell C Sharks will host the newly promoted NovaVit Griffons in their first match back in the Premier Division from 13h30 at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban. The ambitious team from Welkom won last year’s Currie Cup First Division, earning their promotion to the top tier.
In Saturday’s late afternoon clash, the Fidelity ADT Lions will entertain DHL Western Province at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg, with kick-off at 15h30.
Round one will come to a close on Sunday afternoon at Loftus Versfeld. It will be between the Vodacom Bulls, Currie Cup winners in 2020 and 2021, and the defending champions from Mpumalanga, the Airlink Pumas. Kickoff is at 13h00.
Weekend Fixtures:
Windhoek Draught Griquas v Toyota Cheetahs
Venue: Windhoek Draught Park, Kimberley
Date: Friday, 10 March
Time: 16h00
Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys
Cell C Sharks vs NovaVit Griffons
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Date: Saturday, 11 March
Time: 13h30
Referee: Christopher Allison
Fidelity ADT Lions vs DHL Western Province
Venue: Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Date: Saturday, 11 March
Time: 15h30
Referee: Griffin Colby
Vodacom Bulls vs Airlink Pumas
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Date: Sunday, 12 March
Time: 13h00
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
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