Mzanzi Challenge

Last updated

Mzansi Challenge
Current season, competition or edition:
Rugby football current event.svg 2023 Mzanzi Challenge
Sport Rugby union
Founded2023
First season2023
Ceased2023
No. of teams10
Country South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, United States, Zimbabwe
Last
champion(s)		 Valke
Most titles Valke (1)

The 2023 Currie Cup First Division ran concurrently with the Mzansi Challenge, which, in addition to the six South African sides, featured four additional international sides; the Welwitschias from Namibia, the Zimbabwe Goshawks, the Simbas from Kenya and the San Clemente Rhinos from the USA. Initially, the Tel Aviv Heat from Israel were due to play. However, after pressure from the South African BDS, SARU withdrew their invitation to the Heat, who were replaced by the Rhinos. [1] [2]

Contents

The SA Cup became the long term replacement for the Mzansi Challenge. [3]

Standings - Mzansi Challenge

2023 Mzansi Challenge standings
PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDTFTATBLBPtsQualification
1 Valke 9801323208+11548299041 Semifinals
2 SWD Eagles 9801223174+4931238040
3 Boland Cavaliers 9702232146+8634178036
4 Leopards 9504190170+2024236026
5 Eastern Province Elephants 9504191211−2023285025
6 San Clemente Rhinos 9405209226−1730348024
7 Welwitschias 9306241274−3332355017
8 Simbas 9207135119+1620174012
9 Border Bulldogs 9207197352−15527514012
10 Zimbabwe Goshawks 9108106167−611426408
Updated to match(es) played on 17 June 2023. Source: springboks.rugby
Rules for classification: Tournament points in the standings were awarded to teams as follows: 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.

Round 1

25 March 2023
Border Bulldogs 26–21 Welwitschias
Police Park, East London
25 March 2023
Leopards Cancelled Zimbabwe Goshawks
Olen Park, Potchefstroom
25 March 2023
SWD Eagles 36–23 Eastern Province
Riverville Stadium, Riversdale

Round 2

1 April 2023
Simbas Cancelled Boland Cavaliers
Hamiltons Rugby Club, Cape Town
1 April 2023
Eastern Province Elephants Cancelled Zimbabwe Goshawks
Adcock Stadium, Gqeberha
1 April 2023
Valke 64–17 Border Bulldogs
Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park
1 April 2023
Welwitschias 22–31 SWD Eagles
Hage Geingob Rugby Stadium, Windhoek

Round 3

8 April 2023
Boland Cavaliers Cancelled Zimbabwe Goshawks
Lyle Street Sportsgound, Ceres
8 April 2023
Leopards Cancelled Simbas
Olen Park, Potchefstroom
8 April 2023
SWD Eagles 28–26 San Clemente Rhinos
Outeniqua Park, George
8 April 2023
Welwitschias 24–48 Valke
Hage Geingob Rugby Stadium, Windhoek

Round 4

15 April 2023
SWD Eagles 33-24 Valke
Outeniqua Park, George
15 April 2023
San Clemente Rhinos 33-22 Simbas
Charles Morkel Stadium, Strand
15 April 2023
Eastern Province 24–20 Leopards
De Wet Stadium, Despatch
15 April 2023
Zimbabwe Goshawks 26–31 Welwitschias
Harare Sports Club, Harare

Round 5

22 April 2023
Valke 31-22 Boland Cavaliers
Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park
22 April 2023
Leopards 25-33 SWD Eagles
Charles Morkel Stadium, Strand
22 April 2023
Border Bulldogs 27–43 Eastern Province
Police Park, East London
22 April 2023
Welwitschias 24–25 San Clemente Rhinos
Hage Geingob Rugby Stadium, Windhoek

Round 6

28 April 2023
SWD Eagles 47-25 Border Bulldogs
Outeniqua Park, George
29 April 2023
San Clemente Rhinos 31-25 Zimbabwe Goshawks
Charles Morkel Stadium, Strand
29 April 2023
Boland Cavaliers 12–3 Leopards
Glaskasteel Fields, Bredasdorp
29 April 2023
Eastern Province 18–7 Simbas
Port Alfred High School, Port Alfred

Round 7

6 May 2023
Simbas 30-26 Border Bulldogs
CPUT Sports Stadium, Cape Town
6 May 2023
San Clemente Rhinos 36-45 Boland Cavaliers
Charles Morkel Stadium, Strand
6 May 2023
Zimbabwe Goshawks 48–57 Valke
Harare Sports Club, Harare
6 May 2023
Welwitschias 20–23 Leopards
Jan Wilken Stadium, Walvis Bay

Round 8

13 May 2023
San Clemente Rhinos 22-41 Leopards
Charles Morkel Stadium, Strand
13 May 2023
Eastern Province 25-18 Boland Cavaliers
De Wet Stadium, Despatch
13 May 2023
Welwitschias 35–28 Simbas
Hage Geingob Rugby Stadium, Windhoek
13 May 2023
Zimbabwe Goshawks cancelled Border Bulldogs
Harare Sports Club, Harare

Round 9

20 May 2023
Simbas 48-7 Zimbabwe Goshawks
Nakuru Rugby Club, Nakuru
20 May 2023
Boland Cavaliers 29-15 SWD Eagles
Pella Park, Porterville
20 May 2023
Valke 56–29 Eastern Province
Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park

Round 10

27 May 2023
San Clemente Rhinos cancelled Eastern Province
N/A
27 May 2023
Simbas cancelled Valke
Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park
27 May 2023
Border Bulldogs 16–43 Leopards
Police Park, East London
27 May 2023
Zimbabwe Goshawks cancelled SWD Eagles
Harare Sports Club, Harare
27 May 2023
Welwitschias 17-38 Boland Cavaliers
Hage Geingob Rugby Stadium, Windhoek

Round 11

3 June 2023
Simbas cancelled SWD Eagles
RFUEA Ground, Nairobi
3 June 2023
Leopards 35-43 Valke
Olen Park, Potchefstroom
3 June 2023
Border Bulldogs 19–68 Boland Cavaliers
Sisa Dukashe Stadium, Mdantsane
3 June 2023
Welwitschias 47-29 Eastern Province
Hage Geingob Rugby Stadium, Windhoek

Play-offs

On the eve of the playoffs, South Western Districts Eagles threatened to pull out of their semifinal, disputing the decision to award the Valke points after they refused to play against the San Clemente Rhinos. [4]

Semifinals

10 June 2023 Valke 57–30 Leopards Barnard Stadium  
15:00
10 June 2023 SWD Eagles 37–20 Boland Cavaliers Outeniqua Park  
15:00

Final

17 June 2023 Valke 55–38 SWD Eagles Barnard Stadium  
12.30Try: Tshabalala
Elias
Wellman
Stamper
Ntunja
Arendse
Con: Fortune (5)
Pen: Fortune (5)		 Try: Syster (2)
Leonard
Stander
Ntsane
Con: Weich (3)
Syster (1)

See also

References

  1. ↑ Smilk, Carin M. (24 March 2023). "Major Jewish groups urge US rugby team to pull out of South Africa tournament". JNS.org. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  2. ↑ "South African Rugby Union withdraws invitation to Tel Aviv Heat". MSN. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  3. ↑ "SA Cup to lift off in Kimberley on Human Rights Day". SA Rugby. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  4. ↑ Mjikeliso, Sibusiso. "SA Rugby avoid crisis as SWD lodge Valke dispute, nearly pull out of troubled Mzansi Challenge". Sport. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
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