Currie Cup back to normal in 2021
Following the 2020 Covid-19 disruption that forced the
previous Carling Currie Cup to finish in January, this year’s competition will
take on a more traditional format starting on 18 June.
Seven teams will contest the Premier Division of the Currie Cup while the First Division will also see seven sides face off on a home and away basis.
For SA Rugby, planning these domestic competitions during a pandemic and with the British and Irish Lions tour looming has been difficult as they try to accommodate as many competitions as possible.
“It has been very difficult to plan for the new season in
light of the COVID-19 pandemic,” SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux said.
“A number of variables may yet change our plans, but we are very pleased to see
the return of the Carling Currie Cup First Division and the women’s leagues
after a blank 2020 for them.”
With such a jammed packed season for the provincial sides around the country, catering to all of the competitions and matches needed some broader thinking.
“Numerous factors, such as the double round Carling Currie Cup Premier Division, potential overlapping of competitions and the Castle Lager Lions Series, where four of our provincial teams have to go into bio-bubbles as a requirement, meant that we had to opt for midweek games.
“I’d like to commend the union CEOs and coaches for working so hard on numerous calls with our Rugby Department to produce a workable schedule despite all the challenges, which includes a very full roster for the remainder of the season, as well as our broadcast partner for getting on-board with these plans in an extraordinary season.”
The first round of fixtures will see the Cell C Sharks travel to Kimberley to face the Griquas on 19 June.
The final of the Currie Cup Premier Division will take place on 11 September.
This year the Under 20 provincial ranks will be back in action in a one round of matches competition that will start on 7 August.
There are still hopes that the SA Rugby Youth Weeks will still go ahead despite the current ban on contact sports in schools.
“It has been a challenge, but later this season we will be in a position where we’ve been able to phase all our provincial teams – men, women and U20s – back into action,” South Africa’s Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus said.
