2021 Currie Cup First Division

Last updated

2021 Currie Cup First Division
Countries South Africa
Date18 June – 13 August
Champions Leopards (2nd title)
Runners-up Griffons
Matches played24
Attendance0
(average 0 per match)
Tries scored183
(average 7.6 per match)
Top point scorer Anrich Richter
(Falcons, 70)
Top try scorerDylan Maart
(Boland Cavaliers, 8)
  2019
2022  

The 2021 Currie Cup First Division was the 83rd edition of the Currie Cup. As the second-tier of the competition, it ran alongside the 2021 Currie Cup Premier Division. It was sponsored by beer brand Carling Black Label and organised by the South African Rugby Union. [1]

Contents

The First Division was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, the 2021 season was the first time any of the First Division teams had played competitively since the 2019 edition of the tournament, barring the Eastern Province Elephants who participated in the 2021 Preparation series. [2] The Jaguares XV, who took part and won the 2019 Currie Cup First Division, did not take part in the 2021 edition of the tournament. [3]

Teams

The seven competing teams were:

2021 Currie Cup First Division
TeamSponsored name
Boland Cavaliers Boland Kavaliers
Border Bulldogs Border Bulldogs
Eastern Province Elephants Eastern Province Elephants
Falcons Valke
Griffons Down Touch Griffons
Leopards Leopards
SWD Eagles SWD Eagles

Regular season

Standings

2021 Currie Cup First Division standings
PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDTFTATBLBPtsQualification
1 Leopards 6411205127+7831180020 [lower-alpha 1] semifinals
2 Griffons 641117874+1042690020 [lower-alpha 2]
3 Falcons 6303198184+1427240012
4 Boland Cavaliers 63031651811623230012
5 Eastern Province Elephants 6204130200701729008
6 Border Bulldogs 6204154234801936008
7 SWD Eagles 6123107137301620004 [lower-alpha 1] [lower-alpha 2]
Source: springboks.rugby
Rules for classification: Tournament points in the standings were awarded to teams as follows:
  • 4 points for a win.
  • 2 points for a draw.
  • 1 bonus point for a loss in a match by seven points or under.
  • 1 bonus point for scoring four tries or more.
Teams were ranked in the standings firstly by tournament points then by: (a) points difference from all matches (points scored less points conceded); (b) tries difference from all matches (tries scored less tries conceded); (c) points difference from the matches between the tied teams; (d) points scored in all matches; (e) tries scored in all matches; and, if needed, (f) a coin toss.
Notes:
  1. 1 2 Cancelled fixture: Match declared a draw, Leopards awarded four match points.
  2. 1 2 Cancelled fixture: Match declared a draw, Griffons awarded four match points.

Round-by-round

The table below shows the progression of all teams throughout the Currie Cup season. Each team's tournament points on the standings log is shown for each round, with the overall log position in brackets.

2020–21 Currie Cup team progression
TeamR1R2R3R4R5R6R7SemiFinal
Boland Cavaliers0
(5th)
5
(4th)
5
(5th)
10
(3rd)
15
(3rd)
16
(3rd)
16
(4th)
LostDNQ
Border Bulldogs0
(6th)
0
(7th)
0
(7th)
5
(6th)
6
(6th)
11
(5th)
11
(6th)
DNQDNQ
EP Elephants1
(4th)
1
(5th)
6
(4th)
6
(5th)
6
(7th)
11
(6th)
11
(5th)
DNQDNQ
Falcons5
(1st)
5
(3rd)
10
(3rd)
10
(4th)
12
(4th)
13
(4th)
18
(3rd)
LostDNQ
Griffons5
(3rd)
10
(1st)
14
(1st)
19
(1st)
20
(1st)
20
(2nd)
25
(2nd)
WonLost
Leopards5
(2nd)
9
(2nd)
11
(2nd)
11
(2nd)
16
(2nd)
21
(1st)
26
(1st)
WonWon
SWD Eagles0
(7th)
0
(6th)
0
(6th)
1
(7th)
6
(5th)
6
(7th)
6
(7th)
DNQDNQ
Key:WinDrawLossNo matchBye

Matches

The following matches were played in the round-robin stage of the 2021 Currie Cup First Division. [4]

Round 1

18 June 2021 SWD Eagles 17–50 Falcons Outeniqua Park, George  
17:00Attendance: Behind closed doors
Referee: Ruhan Meiring
19 June 2021 Border Bulldogs 18–35 Griffons Police Park, East London  
14:00Attendance: Behind closed doors
Referee: Paul Mente
19 June 2021 Eastern Province Elephants 29–50 Leopards Wolfson Stadium, KwaZakele  
15:00Attendance: Behind closed doors
Referee: Griffin Colby
Bye/s: Boland Cavaliers

Round 2

26 June 2021 Boland Cavaliers 46–19 Border Bulldogs Boland Stadium, Wellington  
14:00Attendance: Behind closed doors
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron
26 June 2021 Griffons 41–3 Eastern Province Elephants HT Pelatona Projects Stadium, Welkom  
15:00Attendance: Behind closed doors
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
26 June 2021 Leopards 0–0 [n 1] SWD Eagles Olën Park, Potchefstroom  
15:00
Bye/s: Falcons

Round 3

2 July 2021 Falcons 36–34 Leopards Bosman Stadium, Brakpan  
15:00Attendance: Behind closed doors
Referee: Morné Ferreira
2 July 2021 SWD Eagles 0–0 [n 2] Griffons Outeniqua Park, George  
17:00
3 July 2021 Eastern Province Elephants 25–10 Boland Cavaliers WJ de Wet Stadium, Despatch  
15:00Attendance: Behind closed doors
Referee: Ruhan Meiring
Bye/s: Border Bulldogs

Round 4

10 July 2021 Boland Cavaliers 28–21 SWD Eagles Boland Stadium, Wellington  
13:00Attendance: Behind closed doors
Referee: Griffin Colby
10 July 2021 Griffons 32–3 Falcons HT Pelatona Projects Stadium, Welkom  
14:00Attendance: Behind closed doors
Referee: Ruhan Meiring
10 July 2021 Border Bulldogs 41–20 Eastern Province Elephants Police Park, East London  
14:00Attendance: Behind closed doors
Referee: Paul Mente
Bye/s: Leopards

Round 5

16 July 2021 Falcons 43–44 Boland Cavaliers Bosman Stadium, Brakpan  
13:30Attendance: Behind closed doors
Referee: Paul Mente
16 July 2021 SWD Eagles 50–29 Border Bulldogs Outeniqua Park, George  
17:00Attendance: Behind closed doors
Referee: Morné Ferreira
17 July 2021 Leopards 36–26 Griffons Olën Park, Potchefstroom  
15:00Attendance: Behind closed doors
Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys
Bye/s: Eastern Province Elephants

Round 6

23 July 2021 Border Bulldogs 34–27 Falcons Police Park, East London  
14:00Attendance: Behind closed doors
Referee: Phumzilo Mbewu
23 July 2021 Eastern Province Elephants 28–19 SWD Eagles Wolfson Stadium, KwaZakele  
15:00Attendance: Behind closed doors
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
24 July 2021 Boland Cavaliers 23–29 Leopards Boland Stadium, Wellington  
14:00Attendance: Behind closed doors
Referee: Divan Uys
Bye/s: Griffons

Round 7

30 July 2021 Falcons 39–23 Eastern Province Elephants Bosman Stadium, Brakpan  
13:00Attendance: Behind closed doors
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
31 July 2021 Leopards 56–13 Border Bulldogs Olën Park, Potchefstroom  
13:00Attendance: Behind closed doors
Referee: Ruhan Meiring
31 July 2021 Griffons 44–14 Boland Cavaliers HT Pelatona Projects Stadium, Welkom  
15:00Attendance: Behind closed doors
Referee: Morné Ferreira
Bye/s: SWD Eagles

Play-offs

Semifinals

6 August 2021 Leopards 52–29 Boland Cavaliers Olën Park, Potchefstroom  
16:45Attendance: Behind closed doors
Referee: Paul Mente
7 August 2021 Griffons 38–31 Falcons HT Pelatona Projects Stadium, Welkom  
11:30Attendance: Behind closed doors
Referee: Morné Ferreira

Final

13 August 2021 Leopards 19–18 Griffons Olën Park, Potchefstroom  
16:30Try: Hoffman 24' c
Genis 32' c
Leibrandt 55' m
Con: Visagie (2/3) 25', 33'
Cards: Fouché Yellow card.svg 60' to 69'
Report Try: Matthys 57' m
Mkhafu 63' c
Con: Juries (1/2) 64'
Pen: Juries (2/3) 20', 35'
Cards: A. Williams Red card.svg 46'
Smit Yellow card.svg 31' to 41'
Attendance: Behind closed doors
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge

Players

The respective team squads for the 2021 Currie Cup First Division were:

Boland Cavaliers squad [7]
Forwards
  • Robin Adams
  • Bomba Bakeni
  • Emile Booysen
  • Taine Booysen
  • Charl Castleman
  • Nicholas Duhwa
  • Albert du Plessis
  • Jacobus du Plessis
  • Wynand du Plessis
  • Kelvin Fikster
  • Ameer Hendricks
  • Kayden Kiewit
  • Che Klaasen
  • Dian Koen
  • Wayrin Losper
  • Godwin Mangenje
  • Thurlow Marsh
  • Damian May
  • Keenan Opperman
  • Angelo Rossouw
  • Bulelani Sali
  • Marlyn Williams
Backs
  • Deon Carstens
  • Curtley Cedras
  • Lucian Cupido
  • Jovelian de Koker
  • Lincolin Eksteen
  • Wilneth Engelbrecht
  • Michaine Fick
  • Bjorkan Hendricks
  • Niven Langdown
  • John Lourens
  • Dylan Maart
  • Cleve Malgas
  • Andre Manuel
  • Garrick Mattheus
  • Taigh Schoor
  • Lubelo Scott
  • Gavern Skippers
  • Charlton Stevens
  • Gerrit van Wyk
  • Andries Viljoen
Coach
  • Randall Modiba
Border Bulldogs squad [8]
Forwards
  • Siyanda Am
  • Mkhonto Caku-Caku
  • Ntsikomzi Daka
  • Onke Dubase
  • Billy Dutton
  • Xolani Jacobs
  • Asekho Marubelela
  • Vuyisani Mavuso
  • Siba Mnkani
  • Yamkela Mzozoyana
  • Masonwabe Ngcem
  • Miyelani Ngobeni
  • Ayabonga Nomboyo
  • Lwando Nteta
  • Thabo Ntunja
  • Edwin Nxumalo
  • Hlomla Payi
  • Yakha Qinela
Backs
  • Lutho Adonis
  • Migcobo Bovu
  • Jeandre Christian
  • Lelethu Gcilitshana
  • Lungelo Gosa
  • Bangi Kobese
  • Somila Mamtyoyi
  • Lwandile Mapuko
  • Vuyo Mbotho
  • Sonwabiso Mqalo
  • Litha Nkula
  • Mihlali Nobomvu
  • Sipho Nofemele
  • Foxy Ntleki
  • Anathi Shenxane
  • Sicelo Tole
  • Siphelele Zono
  • Anele Zweni
Coach
Eastern Province Elephants squad [9]
Forwards
Backs
  • Josh Allderman
  • Riaan Arendse
  • Karlo Aspeling
  • Luvo Claasen
  • Curtley Deysel
  • Richman Gora
  • Lennox Holster
  • Ethan Jantjies
  • Dylan Le Roux
  • Lwandile Menze
  • Siya Moabi
  • Dayle Nel
  • Odwa Ntlokwana
  • Qeutyne Oerson
  • Xolela Payi
  • Keegan Schaefer
  • Keagan September
  • Sherwin Slater
  • Davian Swanepoel
  • Sacha Toring
  • Wian van der Sandt
  • Chevandré van Schoor
Coach
Falcons squad [10]
Forwards
  • Herman Agenbag
  • Jacques Alberts
  • Tango Balekile
  • Kabous Bezuidenhout
  • Reuben du Plooy
  • Armand Grobler
  • Denzel Hill
  • Qhama Hina
  • Ethan Jeffrey
  • Luxolo Koza
  • Dehan Kruger
  • Lihle Lolwane
  • Siya Luwace
  • Siya Masuku
  • Raynardt Nel
  • Freddy Ngoza
  • Dwayne Pienaar
  • Luaan Pieterse
  • Pierre Rabie
  • Zander van der Merwe
  • Andrew Volschenk
Backs
Coach
  • JP Immelman
Griffons squad [11]
Forwards
Backs
  • Gaza Davids
  • Noegh Hayward
  • Morné Joubert
  • Jaywinn Juries
  • Cornel Korff
  • Bolla Matthys
  • Athi Mayinje
  • Duan Pretorius
  • Domenic Smit
  • Neil Stannard
  • Aphiwe Stemele
  • Duncan van Vuuren
  • Gurshin Wehr
  • Arthur Williams
  • Charles Williams
  • Ethan Williams
Coach
  • Jacques Juries
Leopards squad [12]
Forwards
Backs
  • Tjaart Benadie
  • Shirwin Cupido
  • Lincoln Daniels
  • Willem du Plessis
  • Bernu Engelbrecht
  • Keagan Fortune
  • Riaan Genis
  • Andre Grobler
  • Eugene Hare
  • Sylvester Hassien
  • Duren Hoffman
  • Allistair Mumba
  • Charl Pretorius
  • Hardus Pretorius
  • Andries Truter
  • Dean Stokes
  • Chuiner van Rooyen
  • Danrich Visagie
  • Warren Williams
Coach
SWD Eagles squad [13]
Forwards
  • Pieter Ferreira
  • Keanu Hendricks
  • Duke Jantjies
  • Francois Kemp
  • Lehan Kiewit
  • Stephen Leonard
  • Heinrich Leukes
  • Dean Malherbe
  • Nkosikhona Masuku
  • Nkosi Nofuma
  • Anvor Prins
  • Denver Prins
  • Heinrich Roelfse
  • Terrance Siyaya
  • Deon Slabbert
  • Marquin Smart
  • Ian Thompson
  • Jordan van Dyk
  • Armando Wienand
Backs
  • Shane Ball
  • Truimph Baloyi
  • Carlton Coeries
  • JP Duvenhage
  • Darryn Fortuin
  • Tiaan Fourie
  • Kirsten Heyns
  • Eldrid James
  • Adri Jacobs
  • Luciano Jones
  • Winslin Klaasen
  • Lazner Nxele
  • Ralton October
  • Jason Olivier
  • Earl Rouls
  • Marquit September
  • Sergio Stalmeester
  • Ruan van Rensburg
Coach
  • Eddie Myners

Referees

The following referees officiated matches in the competition:

2021 Currie Cup First Division referees

See also

Notes

  1. The match between the Leopards and SWD Eagles was cancelled after players from the SWD Eagles returned positive tests for COVID-19 during the week before the game. The match was declared a draw, with the Leopards awarded 4 points on the standings log. [5]
  2. The match between the SWD Eagles and Griffons was cancelled after players from the SWD Eagles returned positive tests for COVID-19 during the week before the game. The match was declared a draw, with the Griffons awarded 4 points on the standings log. [6]

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References

  1. "Midweek games for Currie Cup as SA rugby confirms 2021 schedule". Sport24. 3 June 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  2. "EP Elephants join the fray as SA Rugby announces 'preparation series' for 2021 season". Sport24. 12 February 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  3. "Carling Currie Cup First Division". SA Rugby. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  4. "Currie Cup fixtures announced for Premier and First divisions". Citizen. 3 June 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  5. "Leopards v SWD Eagles match cancelled". SA Rugby Magazine. 24 June 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  6. "Two SWD matches cancelled". SA Rugby Magazine. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  7. "Boland Squad". SA Rugby. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  8. "Border squad". SA Rugby. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  9. "Eastern Province Elephants squad". SA Rugby. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  10. "Valke squad". SA Rugby. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  11. "Griffons squad". SA Rugby. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  12. "Leopards squad". SA Rugby. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  13. "SWD Eagles squad". SA Rugby. Retrieved 18 June 2021.