SA Rugby unveils exciting 2026 domestic competition schedule, spotlighting women's rugby

SA RUGBY has unveiled an action-packed domestic competition schedule for 2026, covering senior and junior teams across the country, with a major spotlight on the rapidly growing women’s game.

The season kicks off in February with the newly rebranded Pick n Pay Women’s Super League 1, setting the tone for a year of rugby at all levels.

The 2026 calendar sees the Pick n Pay Women’s Super Leagues 1 and 2 firmly established, while plans are also under way to create an elite competition for local women’s franchise teams. Notably, two South African school teams for girls will be named for the first time following the FNB Under-18 Girls Week, marking a significant milestone in female rugby development.

Alignment of boys’ and girls’ participation

Alignment of boys’ and girls’ participation at the annual FNB Youth Weeks is another highlight. The Under-18 and Under-16 schoolboy and girls’ tournaments will now be staged simultaneously at single venues, creating a unified festival of youth rugby.

The FNB Under-18 Craven Week and FNB Under-18 Girls Week are set for 6 to 11 July at Grey High School in Gqeberha, while the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week and Under-16 Girls Week will run from 29 June to 3 July at Kearsney College in Durban.

Following the Under-18 weeks, the SA Schools teams, now including top girls for the first time, will play an ‘A’ team in Gqeberha on 16 July.

Still much to play for in SA Cup

The SA Cup will continue largely unchanged in 2026, featuring the same 10 teams and a single-round format starting 7 March, with the final scheduled for 23 May.

The top four teams at the end of the SA Cup league phase will advance to the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division alongside the Vodacom Bulls, Hollywoodbets Sharks, Fidelity ADT Lions, and DHL Western Province. The remaining six SA Cup teams will compete in the Carling Currie Cup First Division. SA Rugby is reviewing potential changes to men’s age-group provincial competitions, with updates expected later in the year.

Youth and age-group competitions remain a priority. Last year’s champions, including the Hollywoodbets Sharks (Under-21 Cup), Border Bulldogs (Under-21 Shield), and Vodacom Bulls (Under-19 Cup), will be challenged anew, while DHL Western Province aims to defend its title at the SA Rugby Under-20 Women’s Week in Johannesburg.

Club rugby also returns with the Betway Women’s Club Championship from 19 to 26 September and the Pick n Pay Gold Cup from 26 September, culminating in the final on 24 October.

SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer highlighted the significance of the announcement. “In a year when we will see the Springboks take on the All Blacks on home soil, as well as the new Nations Championship, we are extremely pleased to confirm these local competitions,” he said.

Oberholzer praised the work of provincial unions, coaches, and the governing body in developing a detailed and workable schedule and thanked broadcast partner SuperSport for their continued support.

Key 2026 SA Rugby Competitions at a Glance

Carling Currie Cup Premier Division

• Teams: Vodacom Bulls, Hollywoodbets Sharks, DHL Western Province, Fidelity ADT Lions, top four SA Cup qualifiers
• Defending champions: Suzuki Griquas
• Kick-off: 18 July
• Final: 12 September

Carling Currie Cup First Division

• Teams: Six non-qualifiers from SA Cup
• Defending champions: NovaVit Griffons
• Kick-off: 13 June
• Final: 25 July

SA Cup

• Teams: Airlink Pumas, Sanlam Boland Kavaliers, Border Bulldogs, Eastern Province, Toyota Cheetahs, Suzuki Griquas, NovaVit Griffons, Leopards, SWD Eagles, Valke
• Kick-off: 7 March
• Final: 23 May

Pick n Pay Women’s Super League 1

• Teams: Isuzu Bulls Daies, Sanlam Boland Dames, Border Ladies, Eastern Province Queens, Free State Women, Golden Lions Women, Sharks Women, DHL Western Province
• Kick-off: 14 February
• Final: 4 April

Pick n Pay Women’s Super League 2

• Teams: Pumas Women, Griquas Women, Griffons Women, Leopards Women, Limpopo Blue Bulls Women, SWD Eagirls, Valke Women
• Kick-off: 4 July
• Final: 22 August

Pick n Pay Gold Cup

• Teams: 32 clubs from 15 provincial unions
• Kick-off: 26 September
• Final: 24 October

Betway Women’s Club Championship

• Teams: 16 clubs from 15 provincial unions
• Kick-off: 19 September
• Final: 26 September

FNB Youth Weeks

• U18 Craven Week & Girls Week: Grey High School, 6–11 July, SA Schools matches 16 July
• U16 Grant Khomo Week & Girls Week: Kearsney College, 29 June–3 July

All fixtures, venues, and kick-off times will be published on the SA Rugby website in due course, promising fans a season full of competitive, high-quality rugby from youth to senior levels.