The Currie Cup has reinvented itself as a feeder competition that unites the best of South Africa’s young players with seasoned campaigners, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane discusses the revitalisation of rugby’s oldest competition in 2024. He notes that the professional game has evolved, prioritising the Vodacom URC and EPCR tournaments over the Currie Cup.
Keohane highlights how the Currie Cup now bridges the gap between promising young talent and seasoned veterans, providing a platform for U19 and U21 players to shine. This honest approach has reinvigorated the competition, making it appealing and relevant once again.
He believes that the absence of marquee talent and current Springboks has allowed for a focus on youth development and game time for fringe players.
The competition’s schedule, Keohane adds, has provided a primary rugby product in the Republic while aligning with the national team’s off-period between the Ireland series and the 2024 Rugby Championship.
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“The Currie Cup of 2024 is not being sold as the latest installment of what was once South African rugby’s only premier domestic provincial competition,” he writes. “What was in 1994, in terms of the Currie Cup, is no longer in 2024.
“The value is that it is the bridge that unites the best of South Africa’s youth players with seasoned veterans, whose international days were spoken of in the past tense and experienced players who no longer were first-choice squad members for the demands of the URC.
“It makes for a great product because there is once again an identity around the essence of the Currie Cup.
“It is a competition that will be the making of future Springboks and home to many past Springboks, but it will never again be the prized property that features the current Springboks en masse.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
