2018 Currie Cup Premier Division

Last updated

2018 Currie Cup Premier Division
Countries South Africa
Date17 August – 27 October 2018
Champions Sharks (8th title)
Runners-up Western Province
Matches played24
Tries scored200
(average 8.3 per match)
Top point scorer SP Marais
(Western Province, 130)
Top try scorer Sergeal Petersen
(Western Province, 8)
  2017
2019  

The 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division was the top tier of the 2018 Currie Cup, the 80th edition of the annual South African rugby union competition organised by the South African Rugby Union. It was played between 17 August and 27 October 2018 and featured the same seven teams as in 2017.

Contents

The competition was won by the Sharks, who beat Western Province 17–12 in the final played on 27 October 2018.

Competition rules and information

There were seven participating teams in the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division. They played each other once during the pool stage, either at home or away. Teams received four points for a win and two points for a draw. Bonus points were awarded to teams that scored four or more tries in a game, as well as to teams that lost a match by seven points or less. Teams were ranked by log points, then points difference (points scored less points conceded).

The top four teams in the pool stage qualified for the semifinals, which were followed by a final. [1]

Teams

The teams that played in the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division are: [2]

South Africa adm location map.svg
Location of teams in the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division
2018 Currie Cup Premier Division teams
TeamSponsored NameStadium/sSponsored Name
Blue Bulls Vodacom Blue Bulls Loftus Versfeld , Pretoria Loftus Versfeld
Free State Cheetahs Toyota Free State Cheetahs Free State Stadium , Bloemfontein Toyota Stadium
Golden Lions Xerox Golden Lions Ellis Park Stadium , Johannesburg Emirates Airline Park
Griquas Tafel Lager Griquas Griqua Park , Kimberley Tafel Lager Park
Pumas iCollege Pumas Mbombela Stadium , Mbombela Mbombela Stadium
Sharks Cell C Sharks Kings Park Stadium , Durban Jonsson Kings Park
Western Province DHL Western Province Newlands Stadium , Cape Town DHL Newlands

Pool stage

Standings

The final log for the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division was: [3]

2018 Currie Cup Premier Division log
PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDTFTATBLBPtsQualification
1 Western Province 6600276113+16338160024 Semifinals
2 Sharks 6501193133+6028180020
3 Golden Lions 6402239213+2634280016
4 Blue Bulls 6303170179924250012
5 Pumas 6204174190162428008
6 Griquas 6105175252772437004
7 Free State Cheetahs 6006932401471333000 Relegation play-off
Source: [3]
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

Round-by-round

The table below shows a 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 – 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division
TeamR1R2R3R4R5R6R7R8SFF
Western Province 0
(3rd)
5
(1st)
10
(1st)
10
(4th)
15
(3rd)
20
(1st)
25
(1st)
30
(1st)
WonLost
Sharks 0
(3rd)
5
(4th)
10
(3rd)
15
(2nd)
15
(4th)
20
(2nd)
21
(2nd)
26
(2nd)
WonWon
Golden Lions 0
(3rd)
5
(3rd)
10
(2nd)
15
(1st)
16
(2nd)
16
(4th)
16
(4th)
21
(3rd)
Lost
Blue Bulls 5
(2nd)
5
(5th)
7
(4th)
12
(3rd)
17
(1st)
17
(3rd)
17
(3rd)
17
(4th)
Lost
Pumas 5
(1st)
5
(2nd)
6
(5th)
6
(5th)
7
(6th)
12
(5th)
12
(5th)
12
(5th)
Griquas 0
(7th)
1
(6th)
1
(7th)
3
(6th)
8
(5th)
8
(6th)
8
(6th)
8
(6th)
Free State Cheetahs 0
(6th)
0
(7th)
2
(6th)
2
(7th)
2
(7th)
2
(7th)
2
(7th)
2
(7th)
Key:windrawlossbye

Matches

The following matches were played in the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division: [4]

Round One

The 2018 Currie Cup kicked off with a match between the two teams that finished in the bottom two spots in 2017; the Pumas and Griquas in Nelspruit. The Pumas won the match 42–19, with fly-half Chris Smith having a Currie Cup debut to remember, scoring 22 points in his side's victory. In the other match, the Blue Bulls beat the Free State Cheetahs 34–12 in Bloemfontein, with their fly-half Manie Libbok scoring 17 points, including his team's opening try. [5]

17 August 2018 Pumas 42–19 Griquas Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela  
17:00Try: Hennie Skorbinski Ru ball.svg 27'
Stefan Ungerer Ru ball.svg 41'
Chris Smith Ru ball.svg 55'
Neil Maritz Ru ball.svg 57'
Marnus Schoeman Ru ball.svg 61'
Con: Chris Smith Rugby penalty.svg 28', 42', 56', 62'
Pen: Chris Smith Rugby penalty.svg 9', 21', 47'
Scoreboard [6] Try: AJ Coertzen Ru ball.svg 31'
Christiaan Meyer Ru ball.svg 69'
Conway Pretorius Ru ball.svg 71'
Con: George Whitehead Rugby penalty.svg 31', 72'
Cards: Liam Hendricks Yellow card.svg 60'
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
17 August 2018 Free State Cheetahs 12–34 Blue Bulls Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein  
19:00Try: Joseph Dweba Ru ball.svg 2'
Shaun Venter Ru ball.svg 42'
Con: Tian Schoeman Rugby penalty.svg 3'
Cards: Ox Nché Yellow card.svg 15' to 25'
Justin Basson Yellow card.svg 54' to 64'
Scoreboard [7] Try: Manie Libbok Ru ball.svg 13'
penalty try Ru ball.svg 54'
Jade Stighling Ru ball.svg 60'
Divan Rossouw Ru ball.svg 79'
Con: Manie Libbok Rugby penalty.svg 13', 61', 80'
Pen: Manie Libbok Rugby penalty.svg 50', 66'
Referee: Dan Jones
Bye/s: Golden Lions, Sharks, Western Province

Round Two

The three teams that has byes in Round One all secured home victories in Round Two. Defending champions Western Province got their title defense underway with a 32–0 victory over the Free State Cheetahs, while the Sharks beat the Blue Bulls 26–10 in Durban; both teams scored four tries in their victories to secure a bonus point. The highest-scoring match of the round was the Friday evening match between the Golden Lions and Griquas, with the team from Johannesburg winning 62–41. Winger Courtnall Skosan scored a hat-trick and Hacjivah Dayimani got a brace as the Golden Lions ran in nine tries, with fly-half Shaun Reynolds kicking 17 points. Griquas fly-half George Whitehead scored 16 points for the losing team, who scored five tries of their own. [8]

24 August 2018 Golden Lions 62–41 Griquas Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg  
19:00Try: Hacjivah Dayimani Ru ball.svg 5', 71'
Ross Cronjé Ru ball.svg 23'
Courtnall Skosan Ru ball.svg 29', 58', 77'
Sylvian Mahuza Ru ball.svg 44'
Len Massyn Ru ball.svg 47'
Wandisile Simelane Ru ball.svg 66'
Con: Shaun Reynolds Rugby penalty.svg 7', 24', 44', 48', 60', 68', 79'
Pen: Shaun Reynolds Rugby penalty.svg 43'
Scoreboard [9] Try: André Swarts Ru ball.svg 14'
Khwezi Mkhafu Ru ball.svg 31'
Wilmar Arnoldi Ru ball.svg 63'
Kyle Steyn Ru ball.svg 69'
AJ Coertzen Ru ball.svg 75'
Con: George Whitehead Rugby penalty.svg 14', 32', 64', 69', 75'
Pen: George Whitehead Rugby penalty.svg 1', 36'
Cards: Wendal Wehr Yellow card.svg 40' to 50'
Referee: Egon Seconds
25 August 2018 Sharks 26–10 Blue Bulls Kings Park Stadium, Durban  
15:00Try: Juan Schoeman Ru ball.svg 5'
Curwin Bosch Ru ball.svg 21'
Kobus van Wyk Ru ball.svg 37'
Aphelele Fassi Ru ball.svg 63'
Con: Robert du Preez Rugby penalty.svg 6', 23', 39'
Scoreboard [10] Try: Jesse Kriel Ru ball.svg 15'
Con: Manie Libbok Rugby penalty.svg 16'
Pen: Manie Libbok Rugby penalty.svg 10'
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
25 August 2018 Western Province 32–0 Free State Cheetahs Newlands Stadium, Cape Town  
17:15Try: Ruhan Nel Ru ball.svg 40'
Juarno Augustus Ru ball.svg 46'
Scarra Ntubeni Ru ball.svg 52'
JD Schickerling Ru ball.svg 60'
Con: SP Marais Rugby penalty.svg 40', 47', 61'
Pen: SP Marais Rugby penalty.svg 8', 21'
Cards: Juarno Augustus Yellow card.svg 4' to 15'
Scoreboard [11] Referee: AJ Jacobs
Bye/s: Pumas

Round Three

Round Three saw the Golden Lions, Sharks and Western Province all winning their away games to make it two wins out of two. Western Province remain top on points differential after a 57–28 victory over the Pumas, with Sergeal Petersen scoring two of his side's eight tries, and winger SP Marais contributing 22 points through one try, seven conversions and a penalty. The other two matches were closer affairs, with both home teams getting a bonus point for a loss by less than seven points; Louis Fouché scored two tries and 17 points in the Free State Cheetahs' 29–33 loss to a Sharks side for whom captain Chiliboy Ralepelle also scored a brace, while Ruan Steenkamp had a memorable match for the Blue Bulls, scoring a hat-trick before getting sin-binned, but ended on the losing side against the Golden Lions, whose eighth man Hacjivah Dayimani scored two tries to secure a 38–35 win for the team from Johannesburg in the trans-Jukskei derby. [12]

31 August 2018 Pumas 28–57 Western Province Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela  
18:30Try: JP Lewis Ru ball.svg 30'
Le Roux Roets Ru ball.svg 34'
Trompie Pretorius Ru ball.svg 71'
Chris Smith Ru ball.svg 73'
Con: Chris Smith Rugby penalty.svg 32', 35', 72', 74'
Scoreboard [13] Try: Kobus van Dyk Ru ball.svg 6'
Sergeal Petersen Ru ball.svg 14', 61'
Ruhan Nel Ru ball.svg 20'
SP Marais Ru ball.svg 26'
Ernst van Rhyn Ru ball.svg 50'
Sikhumbuzo Notshe Ru ball.svg 54'
Herschel Jantjies Ru ball.svg 75'
Con: SP Marais Rugby penalty.svg 7', 15', 21', 51', 56', 62', 76'
Pen: SP Marais Rugby penalty.svg 40'
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
1 September 2018 Free State Cheetahs 29–33 Sharks Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein  
14:00Try: Louis Fouché Ru ball.svg 24', 55'
Lloyd Greeff Ru ball.svg 28'
penalty try Ru ball.svg 77'
Con: Louis Fouché Rugby penalty.svg 25', 56'
Pen: Louis Fouché Rugby penalty.svg 37'
Scoreboard [14] Try: Lwazi Mvovo Ru ball.svg 13'
Chiliboy Ralepelle Ru ball.svg 35', 43'
Wian Vosloo Ru ball.svg 40'
Dan du Preez Ru ball.svg 67'
Con: Robert du Preez Rugby penalty.svg 14', 40', 45'
Curwin Bosch Rugby penalty.svg 68'
Cards: Khutha Mchunu Yellow card.svg 77'
Referee: Jaco Peyper
1 September 2018 Blue Bulls 35–38 Golden Lions Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria  
16:05Try: André Warner Ru ball.svg 6'
Ruan Steenkamp Ru ball.svg 13', 40', 50'
Johnny Kôtze Ru ball.svg 28'
Con: Manie Libbok Rugby penalty.svg 6', 14', 29', 40', 51'
Cards: Ruan Steenkamp Yellow card.svg 53' to 64'
Scoreboard [15] Try: Shaun Reynolds Ru ball.svg 4'
James Venter Ru ball.svg 22'
Dillon Smit Ru ball.svg 36'
Hacjivah Dayimani Ru ball.svg 64', 69'
Con: Shaun Reynolds Rugby penalty.svg 5', 23', 37', 65', 70'
Pen: Shaun Reynolds Rugby penalty.svg 43'
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Bye/s: Griquas

Round Four

The Golden Lions and the Sharks both maintained their perfect record, making it three bonus point wins out of three. The Sharks secured a 28–12 victory over the Pumas in the Friday night game, while the Golden Lions scored seven tries in a 47–14 victory over the Free State Cheetahs, with fly-half Shaun Reynolds scoring 22 points through two tries and six conversion, with winger Sylvian Mahuza also scoring two tries. The highest-scoring game of the weekend saw the Blue Bulls move up to third after a 45–40 victory over Griquas. Two tries from Griquas centre André Swarts was not enough as the side from Pretoria scored seven tries to secure the win. A bye weekend saw Western Province drop from first to fourth on the log. [16]

7 September 2018 Sharks 28–12 Pumas Kings Park Stadium, Durban  
19:00Try: Jeremy Ward Ru ball.svg 20'
Johan Deysel Ru ball.svg 50'
Aphelele Fassi Ru ball.svg 55'
Curwin Bosch Ru ball.svg 58'
Con: Robert du Preez Rugby penalty.svg 20', 51', 56', 60'
Scoreboard [17] Try: Ruwellyn Isbell Ru ball.svg 36'
Le Roux Roets Ru ball.svg 39'
Con: Chris Smith Rugby penalty.svg 40'
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
8 September 2018 Griquas 40–45 Blue Bulls Griqua Park, Kimberley  
14:15Try: NJ Oosthuizen Ru ball.svg 15'
André Swarts Ru ball.svg 35', 48'
penalty try Ru ball.svg 40'
Eital Bredenkamp Ru ball.svg 45'
AJ Coertzen Ru ball.svg 74'
Con: George Whitehead Rugby penalty.svg 16', 36', 46', 49'
Cards: Pieter Jansen van Vuren Yellow card.svg 54' to 64'
Scoreboard [18] Try: André Warner Ru ball.svg 5'
Franco Naudé Ru ball.svg 19'
Jaco Visagie Ru ball.svg 22'
JT Jackson Ru ball.svg 25'
Edgar Marutlulle Ru ball.svg 55'
Jano Venter Ru ball.svg 63'
Ivan van Zyl Ru ball.svg 65'
Con: Manie Libbok Rugby penalty.svg 6', 20', 23', 26', 64'
Cards: Duncan Matthews Yellow card.svg 40' to 51'
Jaco Visagie Yellow card.svg 47' to 53'
Referee: Egon Seconds
8 September 2018 Golden Lions 47–14 Free State Cheetahs Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg  
16:20Try: Sylvian Mahuza Ru ball.svg 6', 18'
Shaun Reynolds Ru ball.svg 14', 32'
Marvin Orie Ru ball.svg 27'
Howard Mnisi Ru ball.svg 74'
Hacjivah Dayimani Ru ball.svg 78'
Con: Shaun Reynolds Rugby penalty.svg 8', 15', 28', 33', 74', 79'
Scoreboard [19] Try: Louis Fouché Ru ball.svg 49'
Rudy Paige Ru ball.svg 59'
Con: Louis Fouché Rugby penalty.svg 50', 60'
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Bye/s: Western Province

Round Five

In the biggest match of the weekend, two previously-unbeaten sides in the Golden Lions and Western Province met in Johannesburg. The side from Cape Town secured a 65–38 win, scoring nine tries in the process with Dillyn Leyds and Sergeal Petersen scoring two each, while SP Marais contributed 25 of his side's points through one try, seven conversions and two penalties. The result saw Western Province move up to third on the log, one place behind the Golden Lions. The Blue Bulls moved to the top of the log following a 39–29 win over the Pumas in Pretoria, with Jade Stighling contributing two tries. In the weekend's other match, 17 points from George Whitehead and two tries from lock FP Pelser saw Griquas move up to fifth spot by beating the Free State Cheetahs 52–24, a result which confirmed that the team from Bloemfontein won't take part in the semifinals. [20]

14 September 2018 Blue Bulls 39–29 Pumas Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria  
19:00Try: Hanro Liebenberg Ru ball.svg 8'
Jade Stighling Ru ball.svg 11', 33'
Dayan van der Westhuizen Ru ball.svg 21'
Ivan van Zyl Ru ball.svg 53'
Jano Venter Ru ball.svg 75'
Con: Manie Libbok Rugby penalty.svg 9', 12', 54'
Pen: Manie Libbok Rugby penalty.svg 38'
Cards: Johnny Kôtze Yellow card.svg 14' to 26'
Scoreboard [21] Try: Marnus Schoeman Ru ball.svg 25'
Marko Janse van Rensburg Ru ball.svg 31'
Neil Maritz Ru ball.svg 61'
Morné Joubert Ru ball.svg 79'
Con: Chris Smith Rugby penalty.svg 26', 32', 62'
Pen: Chris Smith Rugby penalty.svg 6'
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
15 September 2018 Golden Lions 38–65 Western Province Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg  
15:00Try: James Venter Ru ball.svg 7'
penalty try Ru ball.svg 52'
Pieter Jansen Ru ball.svg 63'
Hacjivah Dayimani Ru ball.svg 65'
Len Massyn Ru ball.svg 79'
Con: Shaun Reynolds Rugby penalty.svg 8', 64', 66', 79'
Pen: Shaun Reynolds Rugby penalty.svg 16'
Scoreboard [22] Try: Dillyn Leyds Ru ball.svg 1', 14'
Sergeal Petersen Ru ball.svg 22', 72'
Joshua Stander Ru ball.svg 27'
SP Marais Ru ball.svg 34'
Juarno Augustus Ru ball.svg 55'
JD Schickerling Ru ball.svg 60'
Daniël du Plessis Ru ball.svg 76'
Con: SP Marais Rugby penalty.svg 1', 15', 23', 28', 62', 73', 77'
Pen: SP Marais Rugby penalty.svg 3', 12'
Cards: Ernst van Rhyn Yellow card.svg 52' to 64'
Referee: Jaco Peyper
15 September 2018 Griquas 52–24 Free State Cheetahs Griqua Park, Kimberley  
17:15Try: Ederies Arendse Ru ball.svg 7'
FP Pelser Ru ball.svg 38', 50'
Enver Brandt Ru ball.svg 52'
AJ le Roux Ru ball.svg 60'
Kyle Steyn Ru ball.svg 75'
Zak Burger Ru ball.svg 80'
Con: George Whitehead Rugby penalty.svg 8', 39', 51', 54', 61', 76', 80'
Pen: George Whitehead Rugby penalty.svg 70'
Scoreboard [23] Try: Ali Mgijima Ru ball.svg 3'
Carel-Jan Coetzee Ru ball.svg 14', 20'
Con: Ernst Stapelberg Rugby penalty.svg 5', 15', 21'
Pen: Ernst Stapelberg Rugby penalty.svg 29'
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Bye/s: Sharks

Round Six

The Sharks and Western Province both maintained their perfect starts to the season, each winning their fourth consecutive match ahead of their meeting in Round Seven. Western Province secured a 38–12 victory over Griquas, with wing Sergeal Petersen scoring two of his side's six tries to move joint-top of the try-scoring charts. Loose-forward Dan du Preez also scored a brace, for the Sharks in their 37–21 victory over a Golden Lions side that lost their second match in a row, with Sharks fly-half Robert du Preez scoring 17 points with the boot. In the other match of the weekend, Ryan Nell scored two tries as the Pumas picked up their second win of the season, beating the Free State Cheetahs 42–14 to condemn the team from Bloemfontein to a winless season, having lost all six of their matches. The Sharks and Western Province mathematically assured their semifinal berths, while the Blue Bulls, Golden Lions and Pumas remained in the race for the other two spots. [24]

21 September 2018 Free State Cheetahs 14–42 Pumas Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein  
17:00Try: Rudy Paige Ru ball.svg 33'
Abongile Nonkontwana Ru ball.svg 63'
Con: Ernst Stapelberg Rugby penalty.svg 34'
Adriaan Carelse Rugby penalty.svg 64'
Scoreboard [25] Try: Ryan Nell Ru ball.svg 9', 28'
Morné Joubert Ru ball.svg 16'
Neil Maritz Ru ball.svg 35'
Marnus Schoeman Ru ball.svg 66'
Simon Westraadt Ru ball.svg 73'
Con: Chris Smith Rugby penalty.svg 10', 17', 29', 37', 67'
Kobus Marais Rugby penalty.svg 74'
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
22 September 2018 Sharks 37–21 Golden Lions Kings Park Stadium, Durban  
17:15Try: Dan du Preez Ru ball.svg 23', 47'
Louis Schreuder Ru ball.svg 33'
Luke Stringer Ru ball.svg 40'
Con: Robert du Preez Rugby penalty.svg 24', 33', 40', 49'
Pen: Robert du Preez Rugby penalty.svg 3', 14', 20'
Scoreboard [26] Try: Sylvian Mahuza Ru ball.svg 7'
James Venter Ru ball.svg 58'
Wandisile Simelane Ru ball.svg 75'
Con: Shaun Reynolds Rugby penalty.svg 8', 59'
Andries Coetzee Rugby penalty.svg 76'
Cards: Marvin Orie Yellow card.svg 38' to 47'
Referee: Egon Seconds
22 September 2018 Western Province 38–12 Griquas Newlands Stadium, Cape Town  
19:30Try: Joshua Stander Ru ball.svg 1'
Sergeal Petersen Ru ball.svg 14', 31'
Herschel Jantjies Ru ball.svg 19'
Juarno Augustus Ru ball.svg 24'
JJ Engelbrecht Ru ball.svg 61'
Con: Joshua Stander Rugby penalty.svg 2', 15', 20', 25'
Scoreboard [27] Try: Kyle Steyn Ru ball.svg 36'
AJ Coertzen Ru ball.svg 57'
Con: George Whitehead Rugby penalty.svg 38'
Cards: Conway Pretorius Yellow card.svg 43' to 53'
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Bye/s: Blue Bulls

Round Seven

The only match of the round saw the top two sides, the Sharks and Western Province meet in Cape Town. The home side won the match 50–28 with SP Marais contributing 20 of his side's points, securing a home semi-final in the process. [28]

29 September 2018 Western Province 50–28 Sharks Newlands Stadium, Cape Town  
14:00Try: Jaco Coetzee Ru ball.svg 4'
Ruhan Nel Ru ball.svg 9'
Dillyn Leyds Ru ball.svg 23'
Sergeal Petersen Ru ball.svg 25'
SP Marais Ru ball.svg 64'
JJ Engelbrecht Ru ball.svg 72'
Chad Solomon Ru ball.svg 79'
Con: SP Marais Rugby penalty.svg 5', 11', 24', 27', 73', 80'
Pen: SP Marais Rugby penalty.svg 16'
Scoreboard [29] Try: Marius Louw Ru ball.svg 1'
Tyler Paul Ru ball.svg 32'
Gideon Koegelenberg Ru ball.svg 40'
Aphelele Fassi Ru ball.svg 44'
Con: Robert du Preez Rugby penalty.svg 2', 33', 40', 46'
Referee: Ben Crouse
Bye/s: Blue Bulls, Free State Cheetahs, Golden Lions, Griquas, Pumas

Round Eight

Round Eight saw a full round of three matches being played, with the first of these finalising the semifinal lineup; the Golden Lions beat the Pumas 33–21 in Mbombela — with both Corné Fourie and Courtnall Skosan scoring a brace of tries — to end the latter's involvement in the competition and ensuring the Golden Lions and the Blue Bulls advanced to the knockout stage. The Sharks clinched a home semifinal by easily beating Griquas in Kimberley, with wingers Lwazi Mvovo and Leolin Zas each scoring two tries in a 41–11 win. The final match of the round between the Blue Bulls and Western Province lasted just 40 minutes; after a delayed start in the match due to lightning, some play was possible before the match was abandoned at half-time due to ever-worsening weather conditions. Western Province were leading 34–7, and this was declared the final result of the match following the abandonment. [30]

12 October 2018 Pumas 21–33 Golden Lions Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela  
19:00Try: Devon Williams Ru ball.svg 4'
Francois Kleinhans Ru ball.svg 32'
Ryan Nell Ru ball.svg 67'
Con: Chris Smith Rugby penalty.svg 5'
Kobus Marais Rugby penalty.svg 34', 68'
Cards: Francois Kleinhans Yellow card.svg 39' to 49'
Scoreboard [31] Try: Lionel Mapoe Ru ball.svg 1'
Corné Fourie Ru ball.svg 13', 59'
Courtnall Skosan Ru ball.svg 36', 47'
Con: Elton Jantjies Rugby penalty.svg 2', 14', 36', 61'
Cards: Howard Mnisi Yellow card.svg 29' to 39'
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
13 October 2018 Griquas 11–41 Sharks Griqua Park, Kimberley  
15:00Try: Kyle Steyn Ru ball.svg 76'
Pen: George Whitehead Rugby penalty.svg 2', 25'
Scoreboard [32] Try: Jeremy Ward Ru ball.svg 6'
Lwazi Mvovo Ru ball.svg 14', 37'
Akker van der Merwe Ru ball.svg 28'
Leolin Zas Ru ball.svg 44', 62'
S'busiso Nkosi Ru ball.svg 49'
Con: Curwin Bosch Rugby penalty.svg 29', 38', 46'
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
13 October 2018 Blue Bulls 7–34 (abd.) Western Province Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria  
17:15Try: Ruan Steenkamp Ru ball.svg 24'
Con: Tinus de Beer Rugby penalty.svg 24'
Cards: Matthys Basson Yellow card.svg 15' to 26'
Scoreboard [33] Try: penalty try Ru ball.svg 15'
Kobus van Dyk Ru ball.svg 31'
Sergeal Petersen Ru ball.svg 33'
Jaco Coetzee Ru ball.svg 39'
Con: SP Marais Rugby penalty.svg 31', 33', 40'
Pen: SP Marais Rugby penalty.svg 7', 18'
Referee: Egon Seconds
Bye/s: Free State Cheetahs

Play-offs

Title play-offs

Semifinals

The semifinal matches went according to form, with the top two teams from the pool stage and home semifinalists Sharks and Western Province both winning. Dan du Preez and S'busiso Nkosi each scored two tries in the Sharks' 33–24 victory over the Golden Lions, for whom Courtnall Skosan also scored a brace. Western Province and the Blue Bulls met for the second week in a row, but unlike the Round Eight match that saw Western Province win in a 40-minute match, this encounter finished 32–all during normal time, with the Blue Bulls' Dylan Sage scoring a try after the final hooter to level the scores and send the match into extra time. Western Province recovered and retained their lead to win 35–32 after extra time, thanks to a penalty from SP Marais, who scored 30 of his side's points in the victory. [34]

20 October 2018 Sharks 33–24 Golden Lions Kings Park Stadium, Durban  
14:30Try: Dan du Preez Ru ball.svg 2', 74'
S'busiso Nkosi Ru ball.svg 20', 41'
Con: Robert du Preez Rugby penalty.svg 3', 76'
Pen: Robert du Preez Rugby penalty.svg 11', 31', 66'
Scoreboard [35] Try: Nic Groom Ru ball.svg 55'
Courtnall Skosan Ru ball.svg 62', 69'
Con: Elton Jantjies Rugby penalty.svg 56', 63', 70'
Pen: Elton Jantjies Rugby penalty.svg 34'
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
20 October 2018 Western Province 35–32 (a.e.t.) Blue Bulls Newlands Stadium, Cape Town  
17:00Try: SP Marais Ru ball.svg 51'
Paul de Wet Ru ball.svg 59'
Con: SP Marais Rugby penalty.svg 52', 60'
Pen: SP Marais Rugby penalty.svg 9', 14', 30', 36', 40', 62', 94'
Scoreboard [36] Try: Ruan Steenkamp Ru ball.svg 22'
Duncan Matthews Ru ball.svg 27'
Manie Libbok Ru ball.svg 46'
Dylan Sage Ru ball.svg 80'
Con: Manie Libbok Rugby penalty.svg 22', 27', 47'
Pen: Manie Libbok Rugby penalty.svg 34', 55'
Referee: Egon Seconds

Final

The Sharks won their first title since 2013 after beating Western Province 17–12 in Cape Town. The only points in the first half came from the boot of Western Province kicker SP Marais, who slotted penalties in the 19th and 35th minutes to secure a 6–0 half-time lead for the home side. A try for Sharks hooker Akker van der Merwe, converted by fly-half Robert du Preez, saw the Sharks take a 7–6 lead shortly after the interval. A Marais penalty in the 49th minute restored Western Province's lead, but Du Preez responded in kind two minutes later to restore the Sharks' lead. The decisive score came in the 70th minute, when Sharks flank Tyler Paul scored a try — again converted by Du Preez — to make the scoreline 17–9. A penalty from Damian Willemse wasn't enough for the home side, and the Sharks secured the eighth Currie Cup title in their history. [34]

27 October 2018 Western Province 12–17 Sharks Newlands Stadium, Cape Town  
16:00Pen: SP Marais Rugby penalty.svg 19', 35', 49'
Damian Willemse Rugby penalty.svg 74'
Scoreboard [37] Try: Akker van der Merwe Ru ball.svg 43'
Tyler Paul Ru ball.svg 70'
Con: Robert du Preez Rugby penalty.svg 46', 71'
Pen: Robert du Preez Rugby penalty.svg 51'
Referee: Jaco Peyper

Relegation play-off

30 October 2018 Free State Cheetahs 36–5 SWD Eagles Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein  
18:00Try: Penalty try 12'
Rabz Maxwane 18' c
Tian Schoeman 20' m
Louis Fouché 54' c
William Small-Smith 63' m, 78' m
Con: Louis Fouché 20', 55'
Scoreboard [38] Try: Vuyo Mbotho 60' m
Cards: Vukile Sofisa Yellow card.svg 11' to 22'
Referee: Jaco Peyper

Honours

The honour roll for the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division was as follows:

2018 Currie Cup Premier Division
Champions: Sharks (8th title)
Top points scorer: SP Marais, Western Province (130)
Top try scorer: Sergeal Petersen, Western Province (8)

Players

The squads and player appearance and scoring statistics for the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division are as follows:

Referees

The following referees officiated matches in the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division:

See also

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