2015 Currie Cup First Division

Last updated

2015 Currie Cup First Division
Countries South Africa
Date29 August – 8 October 2015
Champions Leopards (1st title)
Runners-up SWD Eagles
Matches played18
Tries scored158
(average 8.8 per match)
Top point scorer Leighton Eksteen (102)
Top try scorer Juan Language (5)
  2014
2016  

The 2015 Currie Cup First Division was contested from 29 August to 8 October 2015. The tournament (also known as the Absa Currie Cup First Division for sponsorship reasons) was the second tier of South Africa's premier domestic rugby union competition, featuring teams representing either entire provinces or substantial regions within provinces.

Contents

The tournament was won by the Leopards for the first time after they beat the SWD Eagles 44–20 in the final played on 8 October 2015. The Leopards also went through the season unbeaten, winning their five matches in the 2015 Currie Cup qualification that counted towards the First Division and the seven matches player in the First Division proper.

After the season, all six teams joined the eight Premier Division teams and Namibia in an expanded 15-team Currie Cup competition for 2016. [1]

Competition rules and information

There were six participating teams in the 2015 Currie Cup First Division. The six teams played each other twice over the course of the season, once at home and once away. The first series of fixtures were played as part of the 2015 Currie Cup qualification competition, with all results carried forward to the First Division except for the match against the 2015 Currie Cup Premier Division qualifier, Griquas. A second set of fixtures then followed between the remaining six teams.

Each team received four points for a win and two points for a draw. Bonus points were awarded to teams that scored 4 or more tries in a game, as well as to teams that lost a match by 7 points or less. Teams were ranked by points, then points difference (points scored less points conceded).

The top 4 teams qualified for the title play-offs. In the semi-finals, the team that finished first had home advantage against the team that finished fourth, while the team that finished second had home advantage against the team that finished third. The winners of these semi-finals played each other in the final, at the home venue of the higher-placed team.

Teams

South Africa adm location map.svg
Location of teams in the 2015 Currie Cup First Division

Following the 2015 Currie Cup qualification competition, the following six teams were confirmed as the competitors in the 2015 Currie Cup First Division:

2015 Currie Cup First Division teams
TeamSponsored NameStadium/sSponsored Name
Boland Cavaliers Boland Cavaliers Boland Stadium , Wellington Boland Stadium
Border Bulldogs Border Bulldogs Buffalo City Stadium , East London Buffalo City Stadium
Falcons Hino Valke Barnard Stadium , Kempton Park Barnard Stadium
Griffons Down Touch Griffons North West Stadium , Welkom HT Pelatona Projects Stadium
Leopards Leopards Olën Park , Potchefstroom Profert Olën Park
SWD Eagles SWD Eagles Outeniqua Park , George Outeniqua Park

Log

The final log of the round-robin stage of the 2015 Currie Cup First Division is: [2]

2015 Currie Cup First Division log
PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDTFTATBLBPtsQualification
1 Leopards 101000431205+22662260040 semi-finals
2 Griffons 10505332306+2646430020
3 SWD Eagles 10514269243+2633310022
4 Falcons 10505306278+2845370020
5 Boland Cavaliers 1021720343523227610010
6 Border Bulldogs 10208211285742338008
Source: [2]
Rules for classification: 4 points for a win; 2 points for a draw; 1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less; 1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match

The teams' playing records from the 2015 Currie Cup qualification series brought forward to the First Division were as follows:

Playing records brought forward
PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDTFTATBLBPts
1 Leopards 550021669+1473190020
2 Boland Cavaliers 52121211492816170010
3 Falcons 53021151523715200012
4 Griffons 520315115432022008
5 SWD Eagles 5113102133311216006
6 Border Bulldogs 51047512348717004
Source: [ citation needed ]

Round-by-round

The table below shows each team's progression throughout the season.

For each round, each team's cumulative points total is shown with the overall log position in brackets.

Team Progression – 2015 Currie Cup First Division
TeamB/FR8R9R10R11R12SFF
Leopards 25
(1st)
30
(1st)
35
(1st)
40
(1st)
45
(1st)
50
(1st)
WonWon
Griffons 11
(4th)
16
(3rd)
21
(2nd)
22
(3rd)
27
(2nd)
28
(2nd)
Lost
SWD Eagles 8
(5th)
9
(5th)
13
(4th)
17
(4th)
22
(4th)
27
(3rd)
WonLost
Falcons 13
(3rd)
18
(2nd)
19
(3rd)
24
(2nd)
24
(3rd)
26
(4th)
Lost
Boland Cavaliers 13
(2nd)
13
(4th)
13
(5th)
13
(5th)
13
(5th)
13
(6th)
Border Bulldogs 6
(6th)
6
(6th)
6
(6th)
6
(6th)
7
(6th)
12
(6th)
Key:windrawlossbye

Fixtures and results

All the results from the 2015 Currie Cup qualification tournament was carried forward into the First Division season. The results against the 2015 Currie Cup Premier Division qualifier – Griquas – was discarded. [3]

The following matches were played in the 2015 Currie Cup First Division: [4]

Round Eight

The Leopards secured a semi-final spot after beating the SWD Eagles 36–31 in a match in Potchefstroom. Leopards captain Juan Language scored a hat-trick and tighthead prop John-Roy Jenkinson got two tries, while SWD fly-half Leighton Eksteen contributed 16 points with the boot to secure a bonus point for the visitors. The biggest victory of the round came in Welkom, where defending champions the Griffons ran in ten tries in a 62–24 win over the Boland Cavaliers, with Boela Abrahams, Nico Scheepers and Martin Sithole getting a brace each, as did Danwel Demas for the losing side. Friedle Olivier and Jacques Verwey each scored two tries in the Falcons' 48–27 win over the Border Bulldogs to move the side from Kempton Park up to second spot on the log. [5]

29 August 2015 Leopards 36–31 SWD Eagles Olën Park, Potchefstroom  
14:30Try: Juan Language Ru ball.svg 8', 54', 60'
John-Roy Jenkinson Ru ball.svg 20', 47'
Con: Adriaan Engelbrecht Rugby penalty.svg 21', 48', 55', 61' (4/5)
Pen: Adriaan Engelbrecht (0/1)
Drop: Rhyno Smith Rugby penalty.svg 34' (1/1)
Cards: Rhyno Smith Yellow card.svg 4' to 15'
Report [5]
Scoreboard [6]
Try: Grant le Roux Ru ball.svg 26'
Charles Radebe Ru ball.svg 63'
Clinton Wagman Ru ball.svg 74'
Con: Leighton Eksteen Rugby penalty.svg 27', 64' (2/3)
Pen: Leighton Eksteen Rugby penalty.svg 2', 4', 35', 58' (4/4)
Cards: Wayne Khan Yellow card.svg 38' to 48'
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
29 August 2015 Falcons 48–27 Border Bulldogs Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park  
15:00Try: Jacques Verwey Ru ball.svg 32', 53'
Jaco Snyman Ru ball.svg 58'
Friedle Olivier Ru ball.svg 64', 70'
Johan Pretorius Ru ball.svg 76'
Willie Odendaal Ru ball.svg 78'
Con: Kyle Hendricks (0/1)
Anrich Richter Rugby penalty.svg 54', 59', 65', 71', 77' (5/6)
Pen: Kyle Hendricks (0/1)
Drop: Anrich Richter Rugby penalty.svg 1' (1/1)
Report [5]
Scoreboard [7]
Try: Makazole Mapimpi Ru ball.svg 21'
Sipho Nofemele Ru ball.svg 46'
Con: Masixole Banda Rugby penalty.svg 22' (1/2)
Pen: Logan Basson Rugby penalty.svg 15', 55' (2/2)
Masixole Banda Rugby penalty.svg 5', 9', 28' (3/4)
Cards: Siyamthanda Ngande Yellow card.svg 69' to 79'
Referee: Ben Crouse
29 August 2015 Griffons 62–24 Boland Cavaliers HT Pelatona Projects Stadium, Welkom  
15:00Try: Nico Scheepers Ru ball.svg 6', 72'
Boela Abrahams Ru ball.svg 18', 27'
Martin Sithole Ru ball.svg 38', 46'
Boela Serfontein Ru ball.svg 51'
Norman Nelson Ru ball.svg 65'
Enver Brandt Ru ball.svg 74'
Frans Sisita Ru ball.svg 79'
Con: Nico Scheepers (0/2)
Franna du Toit Rugby penalty.svg 28', 39', 47', 66', 75', 80' (6/8)
Report [5]
Scoreboard [8]
Try: Danwel Demas Ru ball.svg 25', 42'
Kenan Cronjé Ru ball.svg 78'
Con: Eric Zana Rugby penalty.svg 26', 43', 78' (3/3)
Pen: Eric Zana Rugby penalty.svg 35' (1/1)
Cards: Wayne Wilschut Yellow card.svg 36' to 47'
Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys

Round Nine

The Leopards guaranteed themselves a home semi-final after beating the Boland Cavaliers 47–12 in Wellington. Despite Boland taking the lead in the first minute through a Danwel Demas try, the Leopards responded with seven tries scored by seven different players. One of the try-scorers was Adriaan Engelbrecht, who also converted six of the tries for a personal haul of 17 points. The Griffons moved into the top two after winning their second match in a row, winning 31–16 in East London against bottom side the Border Bulldogs and picking up a bonus point for scoring five tries in the match. Griffons captain Nicky Steyn scored a try in the first half in his 121st and final match for the side from Welkom. In the final match of the round, the SWD Eagles scored a try in the final minute of the match to beat the Falcons 21–17 in George, despite the home team playing the majority of the match with 14 players after the sending off of Clinton Wagman in the 28th minute. [9]

4 September 2015 Border Bulldogs 16–31 Griffons Buffalo City Stadium, East London  
19:00Try: Mihlali Mpafi Ru ball.svg 48'
Lundi Ralarala Ru ball.svg 74'
Con: Logan Basson (0/2)
Pen: Masixole Banda Rugby penalty.svg 38' (1/1)
Logan Basson Rugby penalty.svg 44' (1/2)
Cards: Lukhanyo Am Yellow card.svg 55' to 65'
Report [10]
Scoreboard [11]
Try: Vincent Maruping Ru ball.svg 24'
Nicky Steyn Ru ball.svg 35'
Marco Klopper Ru ball.svg 53'
Enver Brandt Ru ball.svg 71'
Vuyo Mbotho Ru ball.svg 80'
Con: Franna du Toit Rugby penalty.svg 36' (1/2)
Nico Scheepers Rugby penalty.svg 54', 81' (2/3)
Pen: Franna du Toit (0/1)
Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys
4 September 2015 SWD Eagles 21–17 Falcons Outeniqua Park, George  
19:00Try: Leighton Eksteen Ru ball.svg 24'
Alshaun Bock Ru ball.svg 80'
Con: Leighton Eksteen Rugby penalty.svg 81' (1/2)
Pen: Leighton Eksteen Rugby penalty.svg 6', 23', 39' (3/4)
Cards: Clinton Wagman Red card.svg 28'
Report [12]
Scoreboard [13]
Try: Jacques Verwey Ru ball.svg 4'
Kyle Hendricks Ru ball.svg 14'
Friedle Olivier Ru ball.svg 54'
Con: Jaun Kotzé Rugby penalty.svg 55' (1/3)
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
5 September 2015 Boland Cavaliers 12–47 Leopards Boland Stadium, Wellington  
15:30Try: Danwel Demas Ru ball.svg 1'
Chaney Willemse Ru ball.svg 62'
Con: Eric Zana Rugby penalty.svg 63' (1/2)
Pen: Eric Zana (0/1)
Drop: Warren Seals (0/1)
Report [14]
Scoreboard [15]
Try: Rhyno Smith Ru ball.svg 23'
Adriaan Engelbrecht Ru ball.svg 32'
Tyler Fisher Ru ball.svg 36'
Loftus Morrison Ru ball.svg 42'
Juan Language Ru ball.svg 66'
Wilmar Arnoldi Ru ball.svg 71'
Lucian Cupido Ru ball.svg 78'
Con: Adriaan Engelbrecht Rugby penalty.svg 24', 33', 37', 43', 67', 72' (6/7)
Referee: Quinton Immelman

Round Ten

The Falcons secure a semi-final berth after demolishing the Boland Cavaliers 76–12 in Kempton Park. They scored twelve tries in the victory from ten different try-scorers, with Etienne Taljaard and Shane Kirkwood getting two each, while Jaun Kotzé converted eight of the tries. The Leopards won again, scoring nine tries in a 64–34 victory over the Griffons, who also secure a bonus point by scoring four tries. Schalk Hugo and Tyler Fisher each scored two tries for the Leopards and Adriaan Engelbrecht kicked 17 points for the Leopards. In the other match of the round, the SWD Eagles beat the Border Bulldogs 31–19 in East London. Both teams scored three tries, but 16 points from the boot of SWD Eagles fly-half Leighton Eksteen proved decisive in the match. [16]

11 September 2015 Border Bulldogs 19–31 SWD Eagles Buffalo City Stadium, East London  
19:00Try: Onke Dubase Ru ball.svg 31'
Ntando Kebe Ru ball.svg 48'
Masixole Banda Ru ball.svg 61'
Con: Masixole Banda Rugby penalty.svg 49', 62' (2/3)
Pen: Masixole Banda (0/1)
Cards: Yanga Xakalashe Yellow card.svg 41' to 52'
Report [17]
Scoreboard [18]
Try: Alshaun Bock Ru ball.svg 25'
Dillin Snel Ru ball.svg 50'
Brian Skosana Ru ball.svg 79'
Con: Leighton Eksteen Rugby penalty.svg 26', 51' (2/3)
Pen: Leighton Eksteen Rugby penalty.svg 19', 35', 63', 65' (4/5)
Cards: Buran Parks Yellow card.svg 45' to 56'
Referee: Rodney Boneparte
12 September 2015 Leopards 64–34 Griffons Fanie du Toit Sport Ground, Potchefstroom  
14:30Try: Joe Smith Ru ball.svg 9'
Tyler Fisher Ru ball.svg 13', 45'
Schalk Hugo Ru ball.svg 43', 66'
Bart le Roux Ru ball.svg 48'
Damian Engledoe Ru ball.svg 50'
Adrian Vermeulen Ru ball.svg 52'
Juan Language Ru ball.svg 75'
Con: Adriaan Engelbrecht Rugby penalty.svg 10', 14', 44', 46', 49', 51', 53' (7/7)
Tiaan Dorfling Rugby penalty.svg 67' (1/1)
Schalk Hugo (0/1)
Pen: Adriaan Engelbrecht Rugby penalty.svg 7' (1/1)
Cards: Juan Language Yellow card.svg 63' to 74'
Loftus Morrison Yellow card.svg 72'
Report [19]
Scoreboard [20]
Try: Martin Sithole Ru ball.svg 38'
Vuyo Mbotho Ru ball.svg 58'
Wynand Pienaar Ru ball.svg 71'
Khwezi Mkhafu Ru ball.svg 80'
Con: Franna du Toit Rugby penalty.svg 39', 59', 72' (3/3)
Wynand Pienaar Rugby penalty.svg 81' (1/1)
Pen: Franna du Toit Rugby penalty.svg 2', 16' (2/2)
Referee: Ben Crouse
12 September 2015 Falcons 76–12 Boland Cavaliers Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park  
15:00Try: Christopher Bosch Ru ball.svg 5'
Etienne Taljaard Ru ball.svg 8', 48'
Anrich Richter Ru ball.svg 10'
Shane Kirkwood Ru ball.svg 19', 33'
Andries Schutte Ru ball.svg 43'
Johan Pretorius Ru ball.svg 51'
Andries Truter Ru ball.svg 55'
Dean Muir Ru ball.svg 59'
JP Mostert Ru ball.svg 71'
Andrew van Wyk Ru ball.svg 79'
Con: Jaun Kotzé Rugby penalty.svg 9', 11', 34', 44', 49', 52', 56', 72' (8/12)
Report [21]
Scoreboard [22]
Try: Clemen Lewis Ru ball.svg 24'
TC Botha Ru ball.svg 69'
Con: Eric Zana (0/1)
Warren Seals Rugby penalty.svg 70' (1/1)
Cards: Gavin Annandale Yellow card.svg 57' to 67'
Referee: Pro Legoete

Round Eleven

Defending champions the Griffons secured their place in the semi-finals by beating the Falcons 30–21 in a match in Welkom. Despite having three players sin-binned during the course of the match and being down to thirteen players at one stage, the home side won the match and secured a bonus point for scoring five tries in the match, with prop Danie van der Merwe and loose-forward Vincent Maruping getting two tries each. The SWD Eagles finalised the semi-final line-up by beating the Boland Cavaliers 57–14 in Wellington. Charles Radebe and Brian Skosana each got a hat-trick of tries in the victory as the SWD Eagles ran in nine tries to end Boland's play-off hopes. There was nearly a major upset in the top-versus-bottom match as the Leopards needed a late Adriaan Engelbrecht penalty to beat the Border Bulldogs 32–30 in Potchefstroom. [23]

19 September 2015 Leopards 32–30 Border Bulldogs Olën Park, Potchefstroom  
14:30Try: Rhyno Smith Ru ball.svg 17'
Schalk Hugo Ru ball.svg 31'
Francois Robertse Ru ball.svg 33'
Joe Smith Ru ball.svg 58'
Con: Rhyno Smith Rugby penalty.svg 18' (1/1)
Schalk Hugo Rugby penalty.svg 32', 34' (2/2)
Adriaan Engelbrecht (0/1)
Pen: Adriaan Engelbrecht Rugby penalty.svg 74', 78' (2/2)
Cards: Adrian Vermeulen Yellow card.svg 9' to 19'
Report [24]
Scoreboard [25]
Try: Oliver Zono Ru ball.svg 61'
Sethu Tom Ru ball.svg 65'
Makazole Mapimpi Ru ball.svg 68'
Con: Oliver Zono Rugby penalty.svg 62', 66', 69' (3/3)
Pen: Logan Basson Rugby penalty.svg 42' (1/2)
Oliver Zono Rugby penalty.svg 26', 75' (2/2)
Cards: Onke Dubase Yellow card.svg 73'
Referee: Rodney Boneparte
19 September 2015 Griffons 30–21 Falcons HT Pelatona Projects Stadium, Welkom  
15:00Try: Danie van der Merwe Ru ball.svg 10', 58'
Vincent Maruping Ru ball.svg 42', 50'
Coenie van Wyk Ru ball.svg 70'
Con: Franna du Toit (0/3)
Nico Scheepers Rugby penalty.svg 59' (1/2)
Pen: Franna du Toit (0/1)
Nico Scheepers Rugby penalty.svg 79' (1/2)
Cards: Marco Klopper Yellow card.svg 30' to 41'
Chris Ehlers Yellow card.svg 35' to 45'
Boetie Groenewald Yellow card.svg 61' to 71'
Report [26]
Scoreboard [27]
Try: Etienne Taljaard Ru ball.svg 19'
Johan Pretorius Ru ball.svg 28'
JP Mostert Ru ball.svg 32'
Con: Jaun Kotzé Rugby penalty.svg 20', 29', 33' (3/3)
Referee: Pro Legoete
19 September 2015 Boland Cavaliers 14–57 SWD Eagles Boland Stadium, Wellington  
15:30Try: Danwel Demas Ru ball.svg 50'
Kenan Cronjé Ru ball.svg 59'
Con: Eric Zana Rugby penalty.svg 51', 60' (2/2)
Pen: Warren Seals (0/2)
Cards: Gerrit van Wyk Yellow card.svg 23' to 33'
Report [28]
Scoreboard [29]
Try: Alshaun Bock Ru ball.svg 20'
Brian Skosana Ru ball.svg 24', 38', 80'
Charles Radebe Ru ball.svg 30', 36', 77'
Luzuko Vulindlu Ru ball.svg 33'
Pieter Stemmet Ru ball.svg 43'
Con: Leighton Eksteen Rugby penalty.svg 25', 31', 34', 37', 39' (5/7)
Tom Kean Rugby penalty.svg 81' (1/2)
Referee: Ben Crouse

Round Twelve

The Leopards concluded the round-robin stage of their Currie Cup campaign with a perfect record; not only did they win all five of their matches, as well as their five matches in the 2015 Currie Cup qualification series that were brought forward to the First Division, but they also gained a four-try bonus point in each of their ten matches to top the log on 50 points. Tyler Fisher scored two of their six tries in their 36–29 win over a Falcons side that scored five tries of their own. The SWD Eagles finished in third spot on the log with a late try from Kurt Haupt (his second of the match) securing a bonus point for the SWD Eagles in a 27–24 over the Griffons, who finished in second spot. The Border Bulldogs won the match between two sides without a victory to their name since the qualification tournament, beating the Boland Cavaliers 44–20 in East London. Lundi Ralarala and Oliver Zono scored two tries each for the home side, who finished bottom of the log, one point behind the Boland Cavaliers. [30]

25 September 2015 Falcons 29–36 Leopards Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park  
15:00Try: Kyle Hendricks Ru ball.svg 23'
Andrew van Wyk Ru ball.svg 36'
Riaan Arends Ru ball.svg 45'
Reg Muller Ru ball.svg 67'
Shane Kirkwood Ru ball.svg 77'
Con: Anrich Richter Rugby penalty.svg 24' (1/3)
Jaun Kotzé Rugby penalty.svg 78' (1/2)
Pen: Anrich Richter (0/1)
Cards: Riaan Arends Yellow card.svg 22' to 32'
Report [31]
Scoreboard [32]
Try: Tyler Fisher Ru ball.svg 12', 50'
Francois Robertse Ru ball.svg 18'
Rhyno Smith Ru ball.svg 33'
Malherbe Swart Ru ball.svg 38'
Adrian Vermeulen Ru ball.svg 62'
Con: Schalk Hugo Rugby penalty.svg 63' (1/3)
Adriaan Engelbrecht Rugby penalty.svg 39', 51' (2/3)
Cards: Malherbe Swart Yellow card.svg 66' to 76'
Robert Kruger Yellow card.svg 74'
Referee: AJ Jacobs
25 September 2015 Border Bulldogs 44–20 Boland Cavaliers Buffalo City Stadium, East London  
19:00Try: Oliver Zono Ru ball.svg 11', 81'
Michael Makase Ru ball.svg 24'
Lundi Ralarala Ru ball.svg 57', 71'
Makazole Mapimpi Ru ball.svg 65'
Con: Logan Basson Rugby penalty.svg 12', 58' (2/3)
Oliver Zono Rugby penalty.svg 72', 81' (2/3)
Pen: Logan Basson Rugby penalty.svg 4', 15' (2/3)
Oliver Zono (0/1)
Report [33]
Scoreboard [34]
Try: Chaney Willemse Ru ball.svg 6'
Eric Zana Ru ball.svg 13'
Con: Warren Seals Rugby penalty.svg 7', 14' (2/2)
Pen: Warren Seals Rugby penalty.svg 41', 60' (2/2)
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
25 September 2015 SWD Eagles 27–24 Griffons Outeniqua Park, George  
19:00Try: Zandré Jordaan Ru ball.svg 2'
Schalk Oelofse Ru ball.svg 20'
Kurt Haupt Ru ball.svg 52', 79'
Con: Leighton Eksteen Rugby penalty.svg 21', 53' (2/4)
Pen: Leighton Eksteen Rugby penalty.svg 8' (1/2)
Cards: Brian Skosana Yellow card.svg 16' to 26'
Charles Radebe Yellow card.svg 33'
Report [35]
Scoreboard [36]
Try: Vuyo Mbotho Ru ball.svg 16'
Coenie van Wyk Ru ball.svg 26'
Con: Nico Scheepers Rugby penalty.svg 17' (1/2)
Pen: Nico Scheepers Rugby penalty.svg 36', 65', 81' (3/3)
Drop: Coenie van Wyk Rugby penalty.svg 69' (1/1)
Cards: Coenie van Wyk Yellow card.svg 28' to 38'
Wynand Pienaar Yellow card.svg 71' to 79'
Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys

Title Play-Off Games

Semi-finals

In a repeat of the 2014 semi-finals, the Leopards hosted the Falcons and the Griffons hosted the SWD Eagles. The Falcons caused an upset in 2014 by beating the Leopards, but the Leopards prevailed on this occasion, despite being outscored three tries to two. Five penalties from centre Adriaan Engelbrecht secured a 29–17 win for the side from Potchefstroom to secure a home final. There, they will face the SWD Eagles, who beat defending champions the Griffons 47–40 in Welkom. Both sides scored five tries in the encounter, but six penalties from SWD Eagles fly-half Leighton Eksteen (who contributed 27 points in the match) decided the semi-final in the away team's favour. [37]

2 October 2015 Leopards 29–17 Falcons Olën Park, Potchefstroom  
16:00Try: Dane van der Westhuyzen Ru ball.svg 33'
Rhyno Smith Ru ball.svg 75'
Con: Adriaan Engelbrecht Rugby penalty.svg 34', 76' (2/2)
Pen: Adriaan Engelbrecht Rugby penalty.svg 1', 6', 14', 37', 67' (5/5)
Report [38]
Scoreboard [39]
Try: Etienne Taljaard Ru ball.svg 29'
Grant Janke Ru ball.svg 47'
Johan Pretorius Ru ball.svg 58'
Con: Jaun Kotzé Rugby penalty.svg 30' (1/3)
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
3 October 2015 Griffons 40–47 SWD Eagles HT Pelatona Projects Stadium, Welkom  
15:00Try: Martin Sithole Ru ball.svg 19'
Wynand Pienaar Ru ball.svg 26'
Danie van der Merwe Ru ball.svg 36'
Franna du Toit Ru ball.svg 45'
Boetie Groenewald Ru ball.svg 76'
Con: Nico Scheepers Rugby penalty.svg 20', 27', 77' (3/5)
Pen: Nico Scheepers Rugby penalty.svg 9', 11', 60' (3/3)
Report [40]
Scoreboard [41]
Try: Wayne Khan Ru ball.svg 3'
Leighton Eksteen Ru ball.svg 6'
Charles Radebe Ru ball.svg 23'
Martin du Toit Ru ball.svg 33'
Andisa Ntsila Ru ball.svg 56'
Con: Leighton Eksteen Rugby penalty.svg 4', 57' (2/5)
Pen: Leighton Eksteen Rugby penalty.svg 15', 39', 53', 64', 70', 75' (6/6)
Referee: Ben Crouse

Final

The Leopards won the Currie Cup First Division by overturning a 10–20 half-time deficit to beat the SWD Eagles 44–20 in Potchefstroom. Leopards captain Juan Language scored two tries for the hosts in the second half to aid his side's comeback, also becoming the top scorer in the competition in the process. The top points scorer in the competition was SWD Eagles back Leighton Eksteen, who scored ten of his side's 20 points on the night. [42]

8 October 2015 Leopards 44–20 SWD Eagles Olën Park, Potchefstroom  
18:00Try: Dane van der Westhuyzen Ru ball.svg 27'
Francois Robertse Ru ball.svg 45'
Juan Language Ru ball.svg 51', 63'
Robert Kruger Ru ball.svg 66'
Bart le Roux Ru ball.svg 80'
Con: Adriaan Engelbrecht Rugby penalty.svg 28', 46', 67', 81' (4/6)
Pen: Adriaan Engelbrecht Rugby penalty.svg 15', 72' (2/2)
Report [42]
Scoreboard [43]
Try: Alshaun Bock Ru ball.svg 17'
Luzuko Vulindlu Ru ball.svg 21'
Con: Leighton Eksteen Rugby penalty.svg 18', 22' (2/2)
Pen: Leighton Eksteen Rugby penalty.svg 6', 25' (2/2)
Drop: Leighton Eksteen (0/1)
Referee: Quinton Immelman

Honours

The honour roll for the 2015 Currie Cup First Division was:

2015 Currie Cup First Division Honours
Champions: Leopards (1st title)
Top Try Scorer: Juan Language, Leopards (7)
Top Points Scorer: Leighton Eksteen, SWD Eagles (102)

Players

Points scorers

The following table contain points which were scored in the 2015 Currie Cup First Division: [44]

All point scorers
NoPlayerTeamTCPDGPts
1 Leighton Eksteen SWD Eagles216200102
2 Adriaan Engelbrecht Leopards12510085
3 Nico Scheepers Griffons277045
4 Juan Language Leopards700035
5 Franna du Toit Griffons1102031
Oliver Zono Border Bulldogs352031
7 Jaun Kotzé Falcons0140028
8 Tyler Fisher Leopards500025
Charles Radebe SWD Eagles500025
Rhyno Smith Leopards410125

Appearances

The player appearance record in the 2015 Currie Cup First Division is as follows:

For each team, (c) denotes the team captain. For each match, the player's squad number is shown. Starting players are numbered 1 to 15, while the replacements are numbered 16 to 22. If a replacement made an appearance in the match, it is indicated by Sub on.svg. "App" refers to the number of appearances made by the player, "Try" to the number of tries scored by the player, "Kck" to the number of points scored via kicks (conversions, penalties or drop goals) and "Pts" refer to the total number of points scored by the player.

Discipline

The following table contains all the cards handed out during the tournament: [45]

Sendings-off and multiple sin-binnings
PlayerTeamRed card.svgYellow card.svg
Clinton Wagman SWD Eagles10

Referees

The following referees officiated matches in the 2015 Currie Cup First Division:

2015 Currie Cup First Division referees
RefereesRodney Boneparte  Ben Crouse   Stephan Geldenhuys  Quinton Immelman   AJ Jacobs   Cwengile Jadezweni   Pro Legoete   Rasta Rasivhenge

See also

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Marlyn Earl Williams is a South African professional rugby union player, currently playing with the Boland Cavaliers. His regular position is lock.

Adriaan John Carelse is a South African rugby union player for the Seattle Seawolves of Major League Rugby (MLR). His regular position is fly-half of fullback. He previously played for Rugby ATL and the Dallas Jackals in the MLR.

Andries Stefanus Schutte is a South African professional rugby union player who last played for the Falcons in the Currie Cup and the Rugby Challenge. He can play as a loosehead or tighthead prop.

Kenan Cronjé is a South African rugby union player, currently playing with the Rut Griffons. He is a regular position is flanker or lock.

Adrian De Wet Vermeulen is a former South African professional rugby union player who played first class rugby with the Leopards in 2015 and 2016. His regular position was at centre, and he occasionally played as a winger.

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