Deliciously tempting Currie Cup First Division race heats up as play-offs loom
The Valke will bring all their skill and experience from a tough SA Cup campaign to the table when they play the last round of the Currie Cup First Division against Eastern Province, knowing that one slip could cost them top spot.
Image: Danie van der Lith/DFA
WITH the Bokke bullying the Barbarians and inflicting injury on Italy, the Junior Boks battling to the top of their group at the U20 World Championship, the Springbok Women rejigging their plans for the second Canada Test, and the Currie Cup Premier League just weeks away, one would think that the rugby landscape is pretty full, enough to satisfy the most discerning fan, but you’d be wrong.
This is South Africa, where excess is a treat and an extra spoonful is never refused.
There are those Saffers who will convince you that biltong is better with a generous layer of “geelvet” attached, it’s not an authentic braai unless there’s lamb chops – loin and leg – boerewors, beef steak and kebabs – and this is before the pap and salads get piled onto the flimsy paper plate.
In Mzansi, more is better, and if the “more” is “lekker” to boot, it will have no limits.
So here’s the “more” for our country’s real rugby fanatics – you know those discerning types who have their favourite team, and deck their homes in that franchise’s colours, but who also enjoy all types and forms of the sport, from a school rugby match, to a lower division amateur game … those fans who can’t get enough of the game.
So if that describes you, here’s your strip of “geelvet”, in case you missed it …
Final log scramble sets First Division alight
The Carling Currie Cup First Division is heading for a thrilling finish on Friday, with all three final round matches carrying semi-final implications. Five of the six teams are still in the hunt, and every game has something riding on it.
Remember, these are the teams who battled, tussled and arm-wrestled with the Suzuki Griquas and the Airlink Pumas in the SA Cup for a spot in the 2025 Currie Cup Premier League. Many of them, though outgunned at times, never took a step back, but fought bravely to the end.
Valke need a win to stay on top
The Valke, current log leaders, face a potential banana peel away to Eastern Province, who are sitting third. A 3 pm kickoff in Gqeberha awaits — and if EP defend their fortress, the door could open for another team to snatch top spot.
History gives EP a mental edge: they’ve won three of their last four matches against the Valke, and haven’t lost to the Kempton Park side at home since 2017. But the Valke know what’s at stake – win, and they finish first.
Griffons ready to pounce on opportunity
Simultaneously in Welkom, the NovaVit Griffons will back themselves against the winless Border Bulldogs. It’s a mismatch on paper – in their last two matches in Welkom, the Bulldogs leaked 158 points and scored a paltry 15.
A bonus-point win for the Griffons, combined with a Valke slip-up, could see the purple jerseys claim top spot going into the knockouts.
Eagles vs Leopards: quarter-final in disguise
The last match on Friday, kicking off at 6 pm in George, is effectively a quarter-final. The fourth-placed SWD Eagles and fifth-placed Leopards know it’s simple: win and you're through; lose and you're out.
Recent history between the sides suggests a toss-up – three of the last four meetings were won by the visiting team. That may lift the Potch team’s spirits, but SWD will be desperate to avoid heartbreak on their home turf.
With bonus points in play, there could be some scoreboard math at the end – but both sides would rather seal it the old-fashioned way: with a win.
The generous extra scoop
With top-flight, junior, and women's international rugby grabbing headlines, this final First Division round serves as the perfect reminder: there’s always more rugby to go around in South Africa. And for those who take dessert with a generous dollop of ice cream, drizzled in chocolate syrup after that extravagant braai, Friday’s fixtures are just what your rugby sweet tooth is craving.
Match information:
Eastern Province vs Valke
Date: Friday, 11 July
Venue: Madibaz Stadium, Gqeberha
Kick-off: 3pm
Broadcast: SuperSport channel 248
Novavit Griffons vs Border Bulldogs
Date: Friday, 11 July
Venue: Down Touch Investment Stadium, Welkom
Kick-off: 3pm
Broadcast: SuperSport channel 247
Phangela SWD Eagles vs Leopards
Date: Friday, 11 July
Venue: Outeniqua Park, George
Kick-off: 6pm
Broadcast: SuperSport channel 247