Currie Cup Premier Division returns to South Africa this weekend as Griquas begin title defence

The 2026 Carling Currie Cup Premier Division gets underway this weekend, with defending champions Suzuki Griquas launching their title defence against the DHL Stormers XXIII, as South Africa’s oldest domestic competition returns for another season.

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Four Premier Division clashes headline the opening round, while the First Division semi-finals will determine who books a place in next week’s decider.

Friday night’s action begins in Mbombela, where 2022 champions Airlink Pumas host the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV. Jimmy Stonehouse’s side arrive full of confidence after successfully defending their SA Cup title, losing just once in 11 matches, while the Sharks begin a new era under head coach Mike Vowles, who steps up after guiding the province’s Under-21 side to championship success in 2025.

Later on Friday, all eyes turn to Cape Town as Griquas open the defence of the trophy they won in dramatic fashion last season. Despite narrowly missing out in the recent SA Cup final, the Kimberley outfit have enjoyed another outstanding campaign, losing only twice in 14 matches while also impressing against European opposition in the Toyota Challenge.

The Stormers, meanwhile, begin life under new head coach Tom Dawson-Squibb, who faces arguably the toughest opening assignment possible. Western Province endured a difficult 2025 Currie Cup campaign with just one victory, and Dawson-Squibb will hope to spark an immediate turnaround against the reigning champions.

Saturday sees attention shift to the First Division play-offs, with former Springbok coaches Heyneke Meyer and former Namibia head coach Allister Coetzee both targeting a place in the final.

Meyer’s Dotsure SWD Eagles finished top of the standings despite suffering a thrilling 52-45 defeat to Eastern Province in the final round. They host the Leopards in George after the visitors snatched the final semi-final berth with a crucial win over Border.

In Gqeberha, Eastern Province welcome the Valke in what promises to be a fiercely contested encounter. Coetzee has overseen a significant revival for the Elephants, while last year’s runners-up arrive determined to go one better after narrowly missing out on the title in 2025.

Sunday’s Premier Division fixtures feature two intriguing contests.

Former Springbok Frans Steyn begins another Currie Cup campaign as head coach of the Toyota Cheetahs, with the Free Staters boosted by the arrival of World Cup-winning scrum-half Faf de Klerk. They face a Fidelity ADT Lions side eager to bounce back after consecutive defeats in the Currie Cup final but encouraged by reaching the URC play-offs and lifting the SA Shield.

The opening weekend concludes in Wellington, where the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers host the Vodacom Bulls XV. Boland were last season’s surprise package, reaching the semi-finals after earning promotion through the SA Cup, and another packed crowd is expected as Hawies Fourie’s side look to repeat last year’s home victory over the Bulls.

With new coaches, returning Springboks, defending champions and ambitious challengers all in action, the 2026 Carling Currie Cup promises another compelling chapter in one of rugby’s most historic domestic competitions.

2026 Carling Currie Cup – Round 1 Fixtures

First Division Semi-finals (Saturday, 18 July)

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