Currie Cup: Season preview
OPINION: As the 2025 edition of the world’s oldest domestic rugby competition kicks off this weekend, @rugby365com looks into their crystal ball, predicting the season outcome.
The only change in the participating teams is the newly promoted Boland Cavaliers, who replaced the relegated Griffons after finishing in the top four of the SA Cup.
They are joined by competition regulars the Bulls, Cheetahs, Lions, Griquas, Pumas, Sharks and Western Province.
The “big four” sides participating in the United Rugby Championship will be without their top players who are going into pre-season for the intercontinental competition.
Boland, Griquas, Pumas and the Cheetahs have consistency in their squad, which has played together throughout the SA Cup, and it is a massive bonus.
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See below for each team’s season prediction…
Bulls
The 25-time champions arguably have one of the strongest squads in this year’s competition, featuring a host of exciting title-winning Junior Springboks.
The Bulls are led by flanker Nama Xaba, who had limited opportunities during the URC but was impressive when given the opportunity to take the field.
The Bulls have a great chance to top the table and, at worst, make the top four to qualify for the semifinals in their quest to claim title No.26 after falling short in the most dramatic fashion against eventual champions Sharks last season in the play-offs.
There will also be players who will try and stake a claim and impress new head coach Johann Ackermann to form part of the URC squad later this season.
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Boland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers return to the competition for the first time since 2016 and have made solid recruitments, which include Springbok scrumhalf Louis Schreuder.
Finishing fourth on the SA Cup table, Boland’s chances to make the top four are slim and they will, in all likelihood, struggle against the bigger teams whom they will face for the first time in nine years.
A sixth-place finish will be acceptable, but it could be much like the Griffons last season, who ended at the bottom of the competition if they don’t adapt quickly enough to the higher level.
Cheetahs
Finished third on the SA Cup table, but recently came off an impressive win over Georgia.
They can be a tricky call, but a fourth-place finish is on the cards, or possibly higher.
Their experience playing in the EPCR Challenge Cup helps them to be accustomed to playing at levels higher than the SA Cup, and they’re always competitive during the Currie Cup competition.
Lions
The 2024 runners-up will be out for redemption after letting the title slip after 80 minutes in their Final against the Sharks at Ellis Park.
The Lions boast exciting youngsters, including Junior Bok sensation Haashim Pead, who is an electrifying player and could be the spark the Johannesburg-based side needs.
A second or third-place finish would be satisfactory if they can build on their campaign from last season, with many youngsters who will be keen to impress the URC coaches.
Griquas
A talented outfit, but one that lacks some depth with the departure of several key players such as BlitzBok Sako Makata, Marcqiewn Titus, Junior Banda and Dylan Sjoblom.
It could be a difficult season for the Kimberley-based side, who find themselves in a rebuilding phase.
They will be hopeful to avoid the wooden spoon, but chances are good that they’ll finish last in this year’s edition of the tournament.
Pumas
The SA Cup champions have surprised friend and foe over the years in the Currie Cup and continue to impress under the leadership of Jimmy Stonehouse.
The return of their 2022 Currie Cup-winning captain Willie Engelbrecht from the Stormers will be a massive boost from an experience and leadership point of view.
The issue the Pumas might have is depth when injuries strike. With the competition being a single round, mass rotation might not be possible.
The Pumas will be competitive without a doubt, but as seen with Griquas a year ago, SA Cup success doesn’t necessarily filter over at Currie Cup level.
Their chances of making the play-offs are realistic, but it will be a tough ask. A sixth-place finish will most likely be the case.
Sharks
The defending champions named an exciting squad, but with many new names.
They also boast a huge amount of Junior Springboks who recently won the Under-20 championship, but they will most likely be unavailable for the opening two rounds of the competition after their tournament in Rovigo, Italy.
There are familiar names in captain Nick Hatton, vice-captain Bradley Davids and Zimbabwe international Tino Mavasere, but there’s a host of relatively unknown youngsters who might have a hard time adapting to Currie Cup level.
The Sharks will be competitive, but will miss out on defending their title by the finest of margins and end their campaign in fifth place.
Western Province
The most successful team in Currie Cup history has been underperforming for the last couple of seasons.
They haven’t made the play-offs since 2021, when they lost to the Sharks at Newlands.
Their last title came eight years ago, and the Capetonians will want that stat to change this season.
They’ve acquired the services of several BlitzBoks in Zain Davids, Ronald Brown, Shilton van Wyk and Tristan Leyds.
Last season, they had a lot of inconsistency in coaching as John Dobson, Rito Hlungwani and Labeeb Levy rotated as head coaches throughout the campaign.
This season, Levy will be the head coach for the duration of the season, with former players Brok Harris as the forwards coach and Dewaldt Duvenage taking care of the backs.
They also played with predominantly Under-21 players in the 2024 season, who will be much more experienced this year and could surprise friend and foe and make the play-offs for the first time in four years.
A fourth or even a possible third-place finish is possible and a massive improvement from the past couple of seasons.
Predicted Currie Cup table finish after regular season.
1 Bulls
2 Lions
3 Western Province
4 Cheetahs
5 Sharks
6 Pumas
7 Boland Cavaliers
8 Griquas
Semifinals
Bulls v Cheetahs
Lions v Western Province
Final
Bulls v Lions
Champions: Bulls
