2018 Currie Cup Premier Division

The 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division was the top tier of the 2018 Currie Cup, the 80th edition of the annual South African rugby union competition organised by the South African Rugby Union. It was played between 17 August and 27 October 2018 and featured the same seven teams as in 2017.

2018 Currie Cup Premier Division
CountriesSouth Africa
Date17 August – 27 October 2018
ChampionsSharks (8th title)
Runners-upWestern Province
Matches played24
Tries scored200
(average 8.3 per match)
Top point scorerSP Marais
(Western Province, 130)
Top try scorerSergeal Petersen
(Western Province, 8)

The competition was won by the Sharks, who beat Western Province 17–12 in the final played on 27 October 2018.

Competition rules and information

There were seven participating teams in the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division. They played each other once during the pool stage, either at home or away. Teams received four points for a win and two points for a draw. Bonus points were awarded to teams that scored four or more tries in a game, as well as to teams that lost a match by seven points or less. Teams were ranked by log points, then points difference (points scored less points conceded).

The top four teams in the pool stage qualified for the semifinals, which were followed by a final.[1]

Teams

The teams that played in the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division are:[2]

Griquas
Pumas
Western Province
Location of teams in the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division
2018 Currie Cup Premier Division teams
Team Sponsored Name Stadium/s Sponsored Name
Blue BullsVodacom Blue BullsLoftus Versfeld, PretoriaLoftus Versfeld
Free State CheetahsToyota Free State CheetahsFree State Stadium, BloemfonteinToyota Stadium
Golden LionsXerox Golden LionsEllis Park Stadium, JohannesburgEmirates Airline Park
GriquasTafel Lager GriquasGriqua Park, KimberleyTafel Lager Park
PumasiCollege PumasMbombela Stadium, NelspruitMbombela Stadium
SharksCell C SharksKings Park Stadium, DurbanJonsson Kings Park
Western ProvinceDHL Western ProvinceNewlands Stadium, Cape TownDHL Newlands

Pool stage

Standings

The final log for the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division was:[3]

2018 Currie Cup Premier Division log
Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1Western Province6600276113+16338166030
2Sharks6501193133+6028186026
3Golden Lions6402239213+2634285021
4Blue Bulls6303170179−924254117
5Pumas6204174190−1624284012
6Griquas6105175252−772437318
7Free State Cheetahs600693240−1471333112
Final standings.

Round-by-round

The table below shows a team's progression throughout the season. For each round, each team's cumulative points total is shown with the overall log position in brackets.

Team Progression – 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division
Team R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 SF F
Western Province 0
(3rd)		 5
(1st)		 10
(1st)		 10
(4th)		 15
(3rd)		 20
(1st)		 25
(1st)		 30
(1st)		 Won Lost
Sharks 0
(3rd)		 5
(4th)		 10
(3rd)		 15
(2nd)		 15
(4th)		 20
(2nd)		 21
(2nd)		 26
(2nd)		 Won Won
Golden Lions 0
(3rd)		 5
(3rd)		 10
(2nd)		 15
(1st)		 16
(2nd)		 16
(4th)		 16
(4th)		 21
(3rd)		 Lost N/A
Blue Bulls 5
(2nd)		 5
(5th)		 7
(4th)		 12
(3rd)		 17
(1st)		 17
(3rd)		 17
(3rd)		 17
(4th)		 Lost N/A
Pumas 5
(1st)		 5
(2nd)		 6
(5th)		 6
(5th)		 7
(6th)		 12
(5th)		 12
(5th)		 12
(5th)		 N/A N/A
Griquas 0
(7th)		 1
(6th)		 1
(7th)		 3
(6th)		 8
(5th)		 8
(6th)		 8
(6th)		 8
(6th)		 N/A N/A
Free State Cheetahs 0
(6th)		 0
(7th)		 2
(6th)		 2
(7th)		 2
(7th)		 2
(7th)		 2
(7th)		 2
(7th)		 N/A N/A
Key: win draw loss bye

Matches

The following matches were played in the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division:[4]

Round One

The 2018 Currie Cup kicked off with a match between the two teams that finished in the bottom two spots in 2017; the Pumas and Griquas in Nelspruit. The Pumas won the match 42–19, with fly-half Chris Smith having a Currie Cup debut to remember, scoring 22 points in his side's victory. In the other match, the Blue Bulls beat the Free State Cheetahs 34–12 in Bloemfontein, with their fly-half Manie Libbok scoring 17 points, including his team's opening try.[5]

Bye/s: Golden Lions, Sharks, Western Province

Round Two

The three teams that has byes in Round One all secured home victories in Round Two. Defending champions Western Province got their title defense underway with a 32–0 victory over the Free State Cheetahs, while the Sharks beat the Blue Bulls 26–10 in Durban; both teams scored four tries in their victories to secure a bonus point. The highest-scoring match of the round was the Friday evening match between the Golden Lions and Griquas, with the team from Johannesburg winning 62–41. Winger Courtnall Skosan scored a hat-trick and Hacjivah Dayimani got a brace as the Golden Lions ran in nine tries, with fly-half Shaun Reynolds kicking 17 points. Griquas fly-half George Whitehead scored 16 points for the losing team, who scored five tries of their own.[8]

Bye/s: Pumas

Round Three

Round Three saw the Golden Lions, Sharks and Western Province all winning their away games to make it two wins out of two. Western Province remain top on points differential after a 57–28 victory over the Pumas, with Sergeal Petersen scoring two of his side's eight tries, and winger SP Marais contributing 22 points through one try, seven conversions and a penalty. The other two matches were closer affairs, with both home teams getting a bonus point for a loss by less than seven points; Louis Fouché scored two tries and 17 points in the Free State Cheetahs' 29–33 loss to a Sharks side for whom captain Chiliboy Ralepelle also scored a brace, while Ruan Steenkamp had a memorable match for the Blue Bulls, scoring a hat-trick before getting sin-binned, but ended on the losing side against the Golden Lions, whose eighth man Hacjivah Dayimani scored two tries to secure a 38–35 win for the team from Johannesburg in the trans-Jukskei derby.[12]

Bye/s: Griquas

Round Four

The Golden Lions and the Sharks both maintained their perfect record, making it three bonus point wins out of three. The Sharks secured a 28–12 victory over the Pumas in the Friday night game, while the Golden Lions scored seven tries in a 47–14 victory over the Free State Cheetahs, with fly-half Shaun Reynolds scoring 22 points through two tries and six conversion, with winger Sylvian Mahuza also scoring two tries. The highest-scoring game of the weekend saw the Blue Bulls move up to third after a 45–40 victory over Griquas. Two tries from Griquas centre André Swarts was not enough as the side from Pretoria scored seven tries to secure the win. A bye weekend saw Western Province drop from first to fourth on the log.[16]

Bye/s: Western Province

Round Five

In the biggest match of the weekend, two previously-unbeaten sides in the Golden Lions and Western Province met in Johannesburg. The side from Cape Town secured a 65–38 win, scoring nine tries in the process with Dillyn Leyds and Sergeal Petersen scoring two each, while SP Marais contributed 25 of his side's points through one try, seven conversions and two penalties. The result saw Western Province move up to third on the log, one place behind the Golden Lions. The Blue Bulls moved to the top of the log following a 39–29 win over the Pumas in Pretoria, with Jade Stighling contributing two tries. In the weekend's other match, 17 points from George Whitehead and two tries from lock FP Pelser saw Griquas move up to fifth spot by beating the Free State Cheetahs 52–24, a result which confirmed that the team from Bloemfontein won't take part in the semifinals.[20]

Bye/s: Sharks

Round Six

The Sharks and Western Province both maintained their perfect starts to the season, each winning their fourth consecutive match ahead of their meeting in Round Seven. Western Province secured a 38–12 victory over Griquas, with wing Sergeal Petersen scoring two of his side's six tries to move joint-top of the try-scoring charts. Loose-forward Dan du Preez also scored a brace, for the Sharks in their 37–21 victory over a Golden Lions side that lost their second match in a row, with Sharks fly-half Robert du Preez scoring 17 points with the boot. In the other match of the weekend, Ryan Nell scored two tries as the Pumas picked up their second win of the season, beating the Free State Cheetahs 42–14 to condemn the team from Bloemfontein to a winless season, having lost all six of their matches. The Sharks and Western Province mathematically assured their semifinal berths, while the Blue Bulls, Golden Lions and Pumas remained in the race for the other two spots.[24]

Bye/s: Blue Bulls

Round Seven

The only match of the round saw the top two sides, the Sharks and Western Province meet in Cape Town. The home side won the match 50–28 with SP Marais contributing 20 of his side's points, securing a home semi-final in the process.[28]

Bye/s: Blue Bulls, Free State Cheetahs, Golden Lions, Griquas, Pumas

Round Eight

Round Eight saw a full round of three matches being played, with the first of these finalising the semifinal lineup; the Golden Lions beat the Pumas 33–21 in Mbombela — with both Corné Fourie and Courtnall Skosan scoring a brace of tries — to end the latter's involvement in the competition and ensuring the Golden Lions and the Blue Bulls advanced to the knockout stage. The Sharks clinched a home semifinal by easily beating Griquas in Kimberley, with wingers Lwazi Mvovo and Leolin Zas each scoring two tries in a 41–11 win. The final match of the round between the Blue Bulls and Western Province lasted just 40 minutes; after a delayed start in the match due to lightning, some play was possible before the match was abandoned at half-time due to ever-worsening weather conditions. Western Province were leading 34–7, and this was declared the final result of the match following the abandonment.[30]

Bye/s: Free State Cheetahs

Play-offs

Semifinals

The semifinal matches went according to form, with the top two teams from the pool stage and home semifinalists Sharks and Western Province both winning. Dan du Preez and S'busiso Nkosi each scored two tries in the Sharks' 33–24 victory over the Golden Lions, for whom Courtnall Skosan also scored a brace. Western Province and the Blue Bulls met for the second week in a row, but unlike the Round Eight match that saw Western Province win in a 40-minute match, this encounter finished 32–all during normal time, with the Blue Bulls' Dylan Sage scoring a try after the final hooter to level the scores and send the match into extra time. Western Province recovered and retained their lead to win 35–32 after extra time, thanks to a penalty from SP Marais, who scored 30 of his side's points in the victory.[34]

Final

The Sharks won their first title since 2013 after beating Western Province 17–12 in Cape Town. The only points in the first half came from the boot of Western Province kicker SP Marais, who slotted penalties in the 19th and 35th minutes to secure a 6–0 half-time lead for the home side. A try for Sharks hooker Akker van der Merwe, converted by fly-half Robert du Preez, saw the Sharks take a 7–6 lead shortly after the interval. A Marais penalty in the 49th minute restored Western Province's lead, but Du Preez responded in kind two minutes later to restore the Sharks' lead. The decisive score came in the 70th minute, when Sharks flank Tyler Paul scored a try — again converted by Du Preez — to make the scoreline 17–9. A penalty from Damian Willemse wasn't enough for the home side, and the Sharks secured the eighth Currie Cup title in their history.[34]

Relegation play-off

Honours

The honour roll for the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division was as follows:

2018 Currie Cup Premier Division
Champions: Sharks (8th title)
Top points scorer:SP Marais, Western Province (130)
Top try scorer:Sergeal Petersen, Western Province (8)

Players

The squads and player appearance and scoring statistics for the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division are as follows:

Referees

The following referees officiated matches in the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division:

See also

References
  1. "Action-packed Currie Cup Premier Division lined up" (Press release). South African Rugby Union. 14 May 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  2. "2018 Currie Cup Premier Division : Teams". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  3. "2018 Currie Cup Premier Division : Log". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  4. "2018 Currie Cup Premier Division : Matches". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  5. "Libbok, Smith star in Currie Cup opening round" (Press release). South Africa Rugby Union. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  6. "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 1, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  7. "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 2, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 17 August 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  8. "Winning starts for home teams in Currie Cup" (Press release). South Africa Rugby Union. 26 August 2018. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  9. "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 3, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 24 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  10. "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 4, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  11. "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 5, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  12. "Three teams remain unbeaten in Currie Cup" (Press release). South Africa Rugby Union. 2 September 2018. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  13. "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 6, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  14. "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 7, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 1 September 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  15. "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 8, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 1 September 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  16. "Full house for Lions, Sharks in Currie Cup" (Press release). South Africa Rugby Union. 9 September 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  17. "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 9, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  18. "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 10, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 8 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  19. "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 11, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 8 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  20. "DHL WP lay down massive Currie Cup marker" (Press release). South Africa Rugby Union. 16 September 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  21. "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 12, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 14 September 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  22. "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 13, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 15 September 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  23. "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 14, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 15 September 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  24. "WP, Sharks continue fine Currie Cup form" (Press release). South Africa Rugby Union. 23 September 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  25. "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 15, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 21 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  26. "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 16, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 22 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  27. "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 17, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 22 September 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  28. "DHL WP clinch Currie Cup home semi-final" (Press release). South Africa Rugby Union. 30 September 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  29. "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 18, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 29 September 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  30. "DHL WP, Cell C Sharks to host Currie Cup semis" (Press release). South Africa Rugby Union. 13 September 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  31. "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 19, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 12 October 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  32. "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 20, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 13 October 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  33. "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 21, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 13 October 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  34. "DHL WP to host Cell C Sharks in Currie Cup Final" (Press release). South Africa Rugby Union. 21 October 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  35. "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 22, Semi Final". South African Rugby Union. 20 October 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  36. "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 23, Semi Final". South African Rugby Union. 20 October 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  37. "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 24, Final". South African Rugby Union. 27 October 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  38. "Currie Cup Promotion Relegation - Match 1, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 30 October 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  39. "Squad: Vodacom Blue Bulls". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  40. "Squad: Toyota Free State Cheetahs". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  41. "Squad: Xerox Golden Lions". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  42. "Squad: Tafel Lager Griquas". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  43. "Squad: iCollege Pumas". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  44. "Squad: Cell C Sharks". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  45. "Squad: DHL Western Province". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
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