Reigning champions the Cheetahs will begin the defence of their title with a Free State derby in the new-look Currie Cup, while DHL Western Province will close out the opening round with a north-south clash against the Vodacom Bulls.
The Currie Cup has been given a facelift for the 2024 campaign, which gets under way with a rematch of the 2022 final between Griquas and Pumas in Kimberley on Friday afternoon.
In an exciting new feature, the competition will be staged over one-and-a-half rounds, followed by two semi-finals and the grand finale.
The eight teams are divided into two pools of four each by virtue of last year’s standings. Pool A will consist of the Cheetahs (No 1 ranked last year), the Vodacom Bulls (4), DHL Western Province (5) and the Griffons (8).
Pool B sees the Sharks (ranked No 2), Pumas (3), Lions (6) and Griquas (7) grouped together. Teams will play home and away matches within their respective pools plus a single round of games against sides in the opposite pool.
The two-top ranked teams in each pool will progress to the semi-finals on 14 September, with the two winners set to battle it out for the famous Currie Cup in the 21 September final.
In round one, the Sharks take on the Lions at Kings Park on Friday evening (5.15pm), before the Cheetahs start their title defence against Free State rivals the Griffons in Bloemfontein on Saturday afternoon (1.30pm).
A north-south derby between DHL Western Province and the Vodacom Bulls at Cape Town Stadium on Sunday afternoon (3pm) will bring the opening round to a thrilling conclusion.
Currie Cup round one fixtures:
Griquas vs Pumas (Kimberley, Friday, 3pm)
Sharks vs Lions (Durban, Friday, 5.15pm)
Cheetahs vs Griffons (Bloemfontein, Saturday, 1.30pm)
Western Province vs Bulls (Cape Town, Sunday, 3pm)
Photo: Charle Lombard/BackpagePix
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
