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The 2022 Currie Cup Premier Division will kick off in January, SA Rugby has confirmed.
Seven teams will compete in the Premier Division, with EP's proposal to gain direct entry rejected.
However, the top team in the First Division will be automatically promoted to the top-flight, leaving an eight-team Premier Division from 2023.

SA Rugby confirmed on Friday that the Currie Cup Premier Division will kick off in January, with seven teams participating.

This follows an online meeting of the General Council of the country's rugby governing body.


SA Rugby said in a statement that the council rejected a proposal from Eastern Province to be incorporated into the top-flight.

The council did, however, approve a motion that the top South African team in the First Division be automatically promoted to the Premier Division at the end of the 2022 Currie Cup season, creating an eight-team Premier Division the following season.

SA Rugby added that the promoted team would be entrenched for two seasons (until the end of the 2024 Currie Cup season) when the bottom team in the Premier Division will be automatically relegated in favour of the top South African team in the First Division, which will also be entrenched for two seasons before promotion/relegation at the end of the 2026 season.

The teams competing in the Premier Division are the Bulls, Sharks, Western Province, Lions, Cheetahs, Griquas and Pumas, while the First Division comprises the Leopards, Griffons, Valke, Boland, Eastern Province, Border and South Western Districts.

The 2022 competition will kick off on the weekend of 14/15 January.

The unusual kick off is due to the realignment of the South African domestic rugby calendar to dovetail with the northern hemisphere season following the Sharks, Stormers, Bulls and Lions being granted entry into the United Rugby Championship.

The change means that the Currie Cup final will be played on 25 June, which will mark the end of the season for senior professional players appearing in the Currie Cup and the United Rugby Championship.

SA Rugby added that the Currie Cup First Division fixtures would be confirmed early next year.

Currie Cup Premier Division 2022 (all fixtures are subject to change; venues and kick-off times to be confirmed):
Friday/Saturday, 14/15 January

Western Province v Lions

Cheetahs v Griquas

Pumas v Bulls

Wednesday, 19 January

Western Province v Bulls

Sharks v Griquas

Lions v Pumas

Wednesday, 2 February

Sharks v Western Province

Bulls v Cheetahs

Griquas v Pumas

Friday/Saturday, 18/19 February

Lions v Sharks

Griquas v Western Province

Pumas v Cheetahs

Friday/Saturday, 4/5 March

Cheetahs v Lions

Griquas v Bulls

Pumas v Sharks

Wednesday, 16 March

Bulls v Sharks

Cheetahs v Western Province

Griquas v Lions

Wednesday, 23 March

Western Province v Pumas

Sharks v Cheetahs

Lions v Bulls

Wednesday, 6 April

Bulls v Western Province

Griquas v Sharks

Pumas v Lions

Friday/Saturday, 15/16 April

Western Province v Cheetahs

Sharks v Bulls

Lions v Griquas

Friday/Saturday, 6/7 May

Sharks v Pumas

Lions v Cheetahs

Bulls v Griquas

Friday/Saturday, 13/14 May

Bulls v Lions

Cheetahs v Sharks

Pumas v Western Province

Friday/Saturday, 27/28 May

Lions v Western Province

Bulls v Pumas

Griquas v Cheetahs

Friday/Saturday, 3/4 June

Western Province v Griquas

Sharks v Lions

Cheetahs v Pumas

Friday/Saturday, 10/11 June

Western Province v Sharks

Cheetahs v Bulls

Pumas v Griquas

18 June

Currie Cup Semi-Finals

25 June

Currie Cup Final

2 July

Champions Match

The $tar $tudded $harks team should win this by a country mile.

Jirre vok! Currie Cup in January! The world is so deurmekaar right now. So that takes over the traditional Super Rugby slot. Off season is 2 July to about 25 September.

Chilli wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 4:23 pm The $tar $tudded $harks team should win this by a country mile.

They'll import more Tongans , Samoans with their $$$$.

WP will play Maties & Ikeys maybe a few Bishoppers

FalseBayFC wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 4:28 pm Jirre vok! Currie Cup in January! The world is so deurmekaar right now. So that takes over the traditional Super Rugby slot. Off season is 2 July to about 25 September.

Times a changing. In that July-September time slot it will be schoolboy rugby and Springbokke

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 4:49 pm

Chilli wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 4:23 pm The $tar $tudded $harks team should win this by a country mile.

They'll import more Tongans , Samoans with their $$$$.

WP will play Maties & Ikeys maybe a few Bishoppers

Lood de Jager is the one I really want. He'll never come though.

FalseBayFC wrote: Sat Dec 11, 2021 8:55 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 4:49 pm

Chilli wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 4:23 pm The $tar $tudded $harks team should win this by a country mile.

They'll import more Tongans , Samoans with their $$$$.

WP will play Maties & Ikeys maybe a few Bishoppers

Lood de Jager is the one I really want. He'll never come though.

The ex Freestate player, Lood De Jager, would be a huge asset to the $harks

Chilli wrote: Sat Dec 11, 2021 12:38 pm

FalseBayFC wrote: Sat Dec 11, 2021 8:55 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 4:49 pm

They'll import more Tongans , Samoans with their $$$$.

WP will play Maties & Ikeys maybe a few Bishoppers

Lood de Jager is the one I really want. He'll never come though.

The ex Freestate player, Lood De Jager, would be a huge asset to the $harks

East Rand born and educated Lood de Jager who for a while played for the Free State. I'll grant you that it was the Cheetahs who recruited him from the Leopards and launched him on his career trajectory.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 4:49 pm

Chilli wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 4:23 pm The $tar $tudded $harks team should win this by a country mile.

They'll import more Tongans , Samoans with their $$$$.

WP will play Maties & Ikeys maybe a few Bishoppers

I heard that WP are trying to tempt Hennie Bekker and Hempies du Toit out of retirement to bolster the tight five. Dobson believes that his pack needs some maturity.

FalseBayFC wrote: Sat Dec 11, 2021 4:19 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 4:49 pm

Chilli wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 4:23 pm The $tar $tudded $harks team should win this by a country mile.

They'll import more Tongans , Samoans with their $$$$.

WP will play Maties & Ikeys maybe a few Bishoppers

I heard that WP are trying to tempt Hennie Bekker and Hempies du Toit out of retirement to bolster the tight five. Dobson believes that his pack needs some maturity.

Our pack is our strength. We bullied the Tjarks over a long time .

FalseBayFC wrote: Sat Dec 11, 2021 4:16 pm

Chilli wrote: Sat Dec 11, 2021 12:38 pm

FalseBayFC wrote: Sat Dec 11, 2021 8:55 am
Lood de Jager is the one I really want. He'll never come though.

The ex Freestate player, Lood De Jager, would be a huge asset to the $harks

East Rand born and educated Lood de Jager who for a while played for the Free State. I'll grant you that it was the Cheetahs who recruited him from the Leopards and launched him on his career trajectory.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 4:49 pm

Chilli wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 4:23 pm The $tar $tudded $harks team should win this by a country mile.

They'll import more Tongans , Samoans with their $$$$.

WP will play Maties & Ikeys maybe a few Bishoppers

I wonder if they have been in contact with Epi Tione again? They can maybe lure him back for another season?
Or maybe thst French Fullback from a few seasons ago?

Chilli wrote: Sat Dec 11, 2021 5:51 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 4:49 pm

Chilli wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 4:23 pm The $tar $tudded $harks team should win this by a country mile.

They'll import more Tongans , Samoans with their $$$$.

WP will play Maties & Ikeys maybe a few Bishoppers

I wonder if they have been in contact with Epi Tione again? They can maybe lure him back for another season?
Or maybe thst French Fullback from a few seasons ago?

Nukkers has been playing well too.

Sandstorm wrote: Sun Dec 12, 2021 10:18 am

Chilli wrote: Sat Dec 11, 2021 5:51 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 4:49 pm

They'll import more Tongans , Samoans with their $$$$.

WP will play Maties & Ikeys maybe a few Bishoppers

I wonder if they have been in contact with Epi Tione again? They can maybe lure him back for another season?
Or maybe thst French Fullback from a few seasons ago?

Nukkers has been playing well too.

Nukkers?

Conditioning done, let the games begin.

Friday/Saturday, 14/15 January

Western Province v Lions

Cheetahs v Griquas

Pumas v Bulls

Wednesday, 19 January

Western Province v Bulls

Sharks v Griquas

Lions v Pumas

Summer finally arrived in the Western Cape this weekend past. Players are going to suffer if we get another weekend like that.

Are these games going to be televised? Can't see anything on the SS website.

assfly wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 11:44 am Are these games going to be televised? Can't see anything on the SS website.

It certainly doesn't look like it.

Chilli wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 2:49 pm

assfly wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 11:44 am Are these games going to be televised? Can't see anything on the SS website.

It certainly doesn't look like it.

Will definitely on SS. The only reason you don't see it is that they haven't finalized the kick off times.

Another interesting fact

SS

Council approved a motion that the top South African team in the First Division be automatically promoted to the Premier Division at the end of the 2022 Carling Currie Cup season, creating an eight-team Premier Division.

In addition, the promoted team will be entrenched for two seasons (until the end of the 2024 Carling Currie Cup season) when the bottom team in the Premier Division will be automatically relegated in favour of the top South African team in the First Division, which will also be entrenched for two seasons before promotion/relegation at the end of the 2026 season.

Why do promotion and relegation for one season, and then ringfence it for two? That's a complete slap in the face for teams in the First Division.

assfly wrote: Tue Jan 11, 2022 5:38 am Why do promotion and relegation for one season, and then ringfence it for two? That's a complete slap in the face for teams in the First Division.

Obviously trying to adjust to competition to give the URC franchise a fair chance for both competitions aswell as adjust to the NH time zone

Yaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

OomStruisbaai wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 3:23 pm

Chilli wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 2:49 pm

assfly wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 11:44 am Are these games going to be televised? Can't see anything on the SS website.

It certainly doesn't look like it.

Will definitely on SS. The only reason you don't see it is that they haven't finalized the kick off times.

SS

SA Rugby on Tuesday confirmed kick-off times and venues for all the matches – which includes midweek fixtures – culminating in the Premier Division semifinals and final on the last two weekends of June.

Next Wednesday 3 matches

Friday 14 January - No URC
19:00 Pumas v Bulls

Saturday 15 January - No URC
14:30 Cheetahs v Griquas
17:00 Western Province v Lions

Wednesday 19 January - No URC
15:30 Lions v Pumas
17:45 Sharks v Griquas
20:00 Western Province v Bulls

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Western Province forward coach Lucas Floors has taken the Cape Town team’s attitude to another level, flyhalf Tim Swiel believes.



Having won the Currie Cup three times during his playing career, Floors adds heaps of value to the Province backroom staff – led by Jerome Paarwater (head coach).

The 41-year-old was the forwards coach of WP Under-20, who reached the Final of SA Rugby’s junior competition last season and will certainly hope to add another accolade with the Currie Cup team this season.

Speaking to reporters, Province Swiel revealed how Floors has brought the much-needed never-say-die attitude to the team.

“He brings a dogged kind of attitude to our play,” Swiel said.

“Kabamba was always tough at the breakdown and he has definitely brought that to our training.

“I remember him being a fine fetcher and he is transferring that to us also.



“He was about an 80kg flank, so he had to punch above his weight and wants us to do the same.

“He has been very impressive.”

Province backline coach Nazeem Adams said it has been amazing to see how Floors has developed his coaching prowess at the union.

“It is always great to see former players coming through the coaching ranks,” Adams said.



“A guy like Kabamba was a brilliant sevens player.

“He was with us last year as well and we really have a great working relationship,”

The Western Province will name their Currie Cup to face the Lions on Thursday.

The Cape Town side opened their 2022 season on Saturday against the Lions at the Cape Town Stadium.

@rugby365com

Fucking Hell. Here it starts already. Next we will be hearing about how he deserves to be the Bok assistant coach and how he has his eye on the Bok coaching jib, and deserves it too.

Our rugby journalism is really awful. What a nothing article.

Vok ja. Why don't they rather give us the teams squads.

Pumas: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Tapiwa Mafura, 13 Sebastain de Klerk, 12 Robbie Petzer, 11 Lundi Msenge, 10 Thinus de Beer, 9 Giovan Snyman, 8 Willie Engelbrecht (captain), 7 Khwezi Mafu, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Shane Kirkwood, 3 Ignatius Prinsloo, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Corne Fourie.
Replacements: 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Ruan Kramer, 18 Simon Raw, 19 Malembe Mpofu, 20 Phumzile Maqondwana, 21 Lucky Dlepu, 22 Eddie Fouche, 23 Alwayno Visagie.

Date: Friday, January 14
Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron, Local
TMO: Quinton Immelman

Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Craig Barry, 13 David Brits, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Enver Brandt, 10 Chris Smit, 9 Ruan Pienaar (captain), 8 Mihlali Mosi, 7 Aidon Davis, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Marné Coetzee, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Replacements: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Sergio Moreira, 20 Andisa Ntsila, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Robert Ebersohn, 23 Malcolm Jaer.

Date: Saturday, January 15
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 14.30 (12.30 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant referees: Griffin Colby and Clearance Khumalo
TMO: Ben Crouse

Western Province – 15 Tristan Leyds, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Leolin Zas, 12 Cornel Smit, 11 Paschal Ekeji, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Simon Miller, 6 Nama Xaba (c), 5 Adre Smith, 4 Connor Evans, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Chad Solomon, 1 Kwenzo Blose.
Subs: 16 Jacques van Zyl, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Keke Morabe, 20 Deon Fourie, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Chris Schreuder, 23 Mnombo Zwelendaba.

Chilli wrote: Thu Jan 13, 2022 9:19 am Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Craig Barry, 13 David Brits, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Enver Brandt, 10 Chris Smit, 9 Ruan Pienaar (captain), 8 Mihlali Mosi, 7 Aidon Davis, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Marné Coetzee, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Replacements: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Sergio Moreira, 20 Andisa Ntsila, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Robert Ebersohn, 23 Malcolm Jaer.

Date: Saturday, January 15
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 14.30 (12.30 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant referees: Griffin Colby and Clearance Khumalo
TMO: Ben Crouse

Champion team this.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Thu Jan 13, 2022 9:45 am

Chilli wrote: Thu Jan 13, 2022 9:19 am Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Craig Barry, 13 David Brits, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Enver Brandt, 10 Chris Smit, 9 Ruan Pienaar (captain), 8 Mihlali Mosi, 7 Aidon Davis, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Marné Coetzee, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Replacements: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Sergio Moreira, 20 Andisa Ntsila, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Robert Ebersohn, 23 Malcolm Jaer.

Date: Saturday, January 15
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 14.30 (12.30 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant referees: Griffin Colby and Clearance Khumalo
TMO: Ben Crouse

Champion team this.

Of what? I doubt they'll beat the Griquas.

Chilli wrote: Thu Jan 13, 2022 10:27 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: Thu Jan 13, 2022 9:45 am

Chilli wrote: Thu Jan 13, 2022 9:19 am Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Craig Barry, 13 David Brits, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Enver Brandt, 10 Chris Smit, 9 Ruan Pienaar (captain), 8 Mihlali Mosi, 7 Aidon Davis, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Marné Coetzee, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Replacements: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Sergio Moreira, 20 Andisa Ntsila, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Robert Ebersohn, 23 Malcolm Jaer.

Date: Saturday, January 15
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 14.30 (12.30 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant referees: Griffin Colby and Clearance Khumalo
TMO: Ben Crouse

Champion team this.

Of what? I doubt they'll beat the Griquas.

Lots of experience in that team. They ll put at least 50 up against Griquas

OomStruisbaai wrote: Thu Jan 13, 2022 10:31 am

Chilli wrote: Thu Jan 13, 2022 10:27 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: Thu Jan 13, 2022 9:45 am

Champion team this.

Of what? I doubt they'll beat the Griquas.

Lots of experience in that team. They ll put at least 50 up against Griquas

I also want to retire so that I can get drunk by 12h30 during the week.

You poached Griquas top players. They have a bunch of Varsity Cup left overs.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Thu Jan 13, 2022 10:42 am You poached Griquas top players. They have a bunch of Varsity Cup left overs.

Oom, more coke and less brandy hey.

Come on lads, settle it with a sig bet.

handyman wrote: Thu Jan 13, 2022 11:41 am Come on lads, settle it with a sig bet.

Anytime I,ll take a flounce bet for Cheetahs to win against Griquas.

Are you on Chilli?

Chilli wrote: Thu Jan 13, 2022 9:18 am Pumas: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Tapiwa Mafura, 13 Sebastain de Klerk, 12 Robbie Petzer, 11 Lundi Msenge, 10 Thinus de Beer, 9 Giovan Snyman, 8 Willie Engelbrecht (captain), 7 Khwezi Mafu, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Shane Kirkwood, 3 Ignatius Prinsloo, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Corne Fourie.
Replacements: 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Ruan Kramer, 18 Simon Raw, 19 Malembe Mpofu, 20 Phumzile Maqondwana, 21 Lucky Dlepu, 22 Eddie Fouche, 23 Alwayno Visagie.

Date: Friday, January 14
Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron, Local
TMO: Quinton Immelman

Jake White play his best team

Bulls – 15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 13 David Kriel, 12 Cornal Hendricks (c), 11 Richard Kriel, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Jaco Labuschagne, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Jacques van Rooyen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Subs: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Robert Hunt, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Juan Mostert, 23 Stedman Gans.