2020–21 Currie Cup Premier Division

The 2020–21 Currie Cup Premier Division was the 82nd edition of the top tier of the Currie Cup, the premier domestic rugby union competition in South Africa. It was sponsored by beer brand Carling Black Label and organised by the South African Rugby Union.[1][2] The competition was won by the Blue Bulls, who beat the Sharks 26–19 after extra time in the final played at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria on 30 January 2021.[3]

2020–21 Currie Cup Premier Division
CountriesSouth Africa
Date27 November 2020 – 30 January 2021
ChampionsBlue Bulls (24th title)
Runners-upSharks
Matches played22
Tries scored115
(average 5.2 per match)
Top point scorerCurwin Bosch
(Sharks, 84)
Top try scorerEduan Keyter
(Griquas, 4)

Traditionally played in winter,[4] the Currie Cup began later than usual in the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and extended into summer.[2] The tournament was scheduled to start in late August, subject to government approval,[5] but no rugby was allowed to be played in South Africa between mid March and late September 2020.[2][6]

To satisfy commercial partners, a combined Currie Cup and domestic Super Rugby Unlocked tournament was created for the seven Premier Division teams. It was played over 16 weeks with all regular season matches counting towards one combined log of the team's standings.[7] The Super Rugby Unlocked competition began in October and was played as a seven-week round-robin.[8] All tournament points were then carried forward to the Currie Cup Premier Division, played from November 2020 to January 2021 and incorporating a return round-robin of matches followed by cup playoffs.[8][9]

There was no First Division of the Currie Cup played in 2020. It was provisionally scheduled to be played in June and July,[10] but was cancelled due to financial stress caused by the coronavirus pandemic.[11]

Teams
Griquas
Pumas
Western Province
Team locations in the 2020–21 Currie Cup Premier Division

The seven competing teams were:

2020–21 Currie Cup Premier Division
Team Sponsored name
Blue Bulls Vodacom Blue Bulls
Free State Cheetahs Toyota Free State Cheetahs
Golden Lions Xerox Golden Lions
Griquas Tafel Lager Griquas
Pumas Phakisa Pumas
Sharks Cell C Sharks
Western Province DHL Western Province

Regular season

Format

The Currie Cup Premier Division competition began with a seven-week round-robin stage. Each team started with the log points from the final position of their union in the Super Rugby Unlocked competition that was played over the preceding seven weeks.[9] The top four teams on the combined standings log at the end of the regular season qualified for the semifinals, which was followed by a final.[12]

Tournament points in the standings were awarded to teams as follows:[12]

  • 4 points for a win.
  • 2 points for a draw.
  • 1 bonus point for a loss in a match by seven points or under.
  • 1 bonus point for scoring three tries more than the opponent.

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.[12]

Standings

Combined log of the regular season Currie Cup and Super Rugby Unlocked matches:

2020–21 Currie Cup standings
Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 Blue Bulls 12813305216+8932223239
2 Western Province 12723272216+5632213237
3 Sharks 12723274244+3031263035
4 Golden Lions 12624275221+5429202434
5 Free State Cheetahs 12615285275+1030283231
6 Pumas 12318265351−8634481217
7 Griquas 120111211364−1532447068
Source: springboks.rugby (Archived)

Key: P = matches played, W = Won, D = Drawn, L = Lost, PF = Points for, PA = Points against, PD = Points difference, TF = Tries for, TA = Tries against, TB = Tries bonus, LB = Loss Bonus, Pts = Tournament points

The top four teams qualified for the semifinals

Round-by-round

The table below shows the progression of all teams throughout the Currie Cup season. Each team's tournament points on the standings log is shown for each round, with the overall log position in brackets.

All teams started with the log points carried over from their union's final position in the Super Rugby Unlocked competition.

2020–21 Currie Cup team progression
Team SR R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 RM R7 Semi Final
Blue Bulls 23
(1st)		 27
(1st)		 32
(1st)		 33
(1st)		 35
(1st)		 35
(1st)		 35
(1st)		 39
(1st)		 39
(1st)		 Won Won
Western Province 19
(2nd)		 20
(3rd)		 21
(3rd)		 26
(3rd)		 26
(4th)		 31
(2nd)		 35
(2nd)		 35
(2nd)		 37
(2nd)		 Lost N/A
Sharks 19
(3rd)		 24
(2nd)		 24
(2nd)		 28
(2nd)		 28
(4th)		 28
(4th)		 33
(4th)		 33
(4th)		 35
(3rd)		 Won Lost
Golden Lions 12
(5th)		 16
(5th)		 20
(4th)		 25
(4th)		 29
(3rd)		 29
(3rd)		 33
(3rd)		 34
(3rd)		 34
(4th)		 Lost N/A
Cheetahs 17
(4th)		 17
(4th)		 17
(5th)		 17
(5th)		 21
(5th)		 26
(5th)		 27
(5th)		 27
(5th)		 31
(5th)		 N/A N/A
Pumas 7
(6th)		 7
(6th)		 11
(6th)		 11
(6th)		 12
(6th)		 12
(6th)		 12
(6th)		 12
(6th)		 17
(6th)		 N/A N/A
Griquas 3
(7th)		 4
(7th)		 5
(7th)		 5
(7th)		 7
(7th)		 7
(7th)		 7
(7th)		 7
(7th)		 8
(7th)		 N/A N/A
Key: Win Draw Loss No match Bye SR = Super Rugby Unlocked points,
RM = Rescheduled match

Matches
For the details of matches carried-over from the first round-robin – See: Super Rugby Unlocked

For the first half of the provincial season, a round-robin of matches was played for Super Rugby Unlocked honours, with all tournament points carried forward to the Premier Division of the Currie Cup.

Listed below are all matches for the return round-robin, played for the 2020–21 Currie Cup Premier Division.[9]

Round 1
Bye/s: Free State Cheetahs

Round 2
Bye/s: Sharks

Round 3
Bye/s: Griquas

Round 4
Bye/s: Western Province

Round 5
Bye/s: Pumas

Round 6
Bye/s: Blue Bulls

Round 7
Bye/s: Golden Lions

Play-offs

The play-off matches were rescheduled for a week later than previously planned to observe COVID-19 isolation protocols and maintain tournament integrity for the competing teams.[40]

Semifinals

Final
30 January 2021 Blue Bulls 26–19 (a.e.t.) Sharks Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria  
15:00 Try: Botha 64' c, 99' c
Con: Steyn (1/1) 64'
C. Smith (1/1) 100+1'
Pen: Steyn (3/4) 15', 24', 34'
C. Smith (1/2) 79'
Drop: C. Smith (0/1)
 Summary[43]
Report[3]		 Try: Nkosi 39'
Con: Bosch (1/1) 40'
Pen: Bosch (4/9) 6', 29', 43', 55'
Drop: Bosch (0/2)
 Referee: Jaco Peyper
Blue Bulls
Sharks
Blue Bulls:
FB 15 David Kriel
RW 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse
OC 13 Marco Jansen van Vuren
IC 12 Cornal Hendricks
LW 11 Stravino Jacobs
FH 10 Morné Steyn 74'
SH 9 Ivan van Zyl 59'
N8 8 Duane Vermeulen (c)
BF 7 Elrigh Louw 55'
OF 6 Marco van Staden
RL 5 Ruan Nortjé
LL 4 Sintu Manjezi 59'
TP 3 Trevor Nyakane 59'
HK 2 Johan Grobbelaar 90'
LP 1 Lizo Gqoboka 59'
Substitutes:
HK 16 Schalk Erasmus 90'
PR 17 Jacques van Rooyen 59'
PR 18 Mornay Smith 59'
LK 19 Jan Uys 59'
BR 20 Arno Botha 55'
SH 21 Embrose Papier 59'
FH 22 Chris Smith 74'
OB 23 Marnus Potgieter
Coach:
Jake White
Sharks:
FB 15 Aphelele Fassi
RW 14 Sbu Nkosi
OC 13 Lukhanyo Am (c)
IC 12 Marius Louw 80'
LW 11 Yaw Penxe
FH 10 Curwin Bosch
SH 9 Jaden Hendrikse 80'
N8 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe
BF 7 Henco Venter
OF 6 Dylan Richardson 64'
RL 5 Ruben van Heerden 64'
LL 4 JJ van der Mescht
TP 3 Thomas du Toit 88'
HK 2 Fez Mbatha 51'
LP 1 Ox Nché 79'
Substitutes:
HK 16 Dan Jooste 51'
PR 17 Mzamo Majola 79'
PR 18 Michael Kumbirai 88'
LK 19 Hyron Andrews 64'
FL 20 Thembelani Bholi 64'
SH 21 Sanele Nohamba 80'
CE 22 Jeremy Ward 80'
FB 23 Manie Libbok
Coach:
Sean Everitt

Assistant Referees:
AJ Jacobs (South Africa)
Griffin Colby (South Africa)
Television match official:
Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)

Players

The respective team squads for the 2020–21 Currie Cup Premier Division were:

Referees

The following referees officiated matches in the competition:

See also

Notes
  1. The match between the Griquas and Golden Lions was abandoned after 53 minutes due to lightning strikes in the surrounding area. The match result was taken from the completed time played, with full points awarded.
  2. The match between the Griquas and Blue Bulls was cancelled after players from the Bulls returned positive tests for COVID-19 during the week before the game. The match was declared a draw, with each team awarded two points on the standings log.[26]
  3. The match between the Blue Bulls and Golden Lions was postponed by 11 days due to the threat of infection within the Bulls' squad.[31]
  4. The match between Western Province and the Sharks was cancelled after members of the Sharks camp returned positive tests for COVID-19 during the week before the game. The match was declared a draw, with each team awarded two points on the standings log.[36]

References
  1. Del Carme, Liam (18 September 2010). "Cheers: Black Label-sponsored Currie Cup set for November kickoff". The Sowetan. Archived from the original on 5 October 2020.
  2. "Cheers! Canadian brewers to sponsor South African Currie Cup". France 24. 3 November 2020. Archived from the original on 3 November 2020.
  3. "Vodacom Bulls crowned Carling Currie Cup champs". South African Rugby Union. 30 January 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  4. Richardson, James (4 September 2010). "Currie Cup 2020/21: Cheetahs coach warns of dangers of summer rugby". The South African. Archived from the original on 18 September 2010.
  5. "Anxious wait for Currie Cup decision". Southern Times. 7 August 2010. Archived from the original on 19 October 2010.
  6. Richardson, James (4 August 2010). "The state of play in South African rugby: Currie Cup in the air". The South African. Archived from the original on 17 October 2010.
  7. "Explainer: How SA's combined Currie Cup/Super Rugby format will work". News24. 23 September 2020. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020.
  8. "SA rugby teams to play for 2 titles: Super Rugby Unlocked and Currie Cup". News 24. 19 September 2020. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020.
  9. "Rugby: Get all the fixtures here for the new Carling Currie Cup!". The Citizen. 3 November 2020. Archived from the original on 4 November 2020.
  10. "Jaguares XV: Cinco cordobeses jugarán la Currie Cup – First Division". Cordoba XV (in Spanish). 24 June 2020.
  11. Byron, George (24 July 2020). "Currie Cup First Division rugby canned for 2020". Herald Live. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020.
  12. "Carling Currie Cup Preview – Round 1". Springboks.rugby. 27 November 2020. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020.
  13. "Match 1, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 27 November 2020.
  14. "Cell C Sharks ease past Phakisa Pumas in Durban". South African Rugby Union. 27 November 2020.
  15. "Match 2, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 28 November 2020.
  16. "Xerox Lions get past Tafel Lager Griquas in weather-affected clash". South African Rugby Union. 28 November 2020.
  17. "Match 3, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 28 November 2020.
  18. "Vodacom Bulls snatch thrilling win over DHL Western Province". South African Rugby Union. 28 November 2020.
  19. "Match 4, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 4 December 2020.
  20. "Match 5, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 5 December 2020.
  21. "Match 6, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 5 December 2020.
  22. "Match 7, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 11 December 2020.
  23. "Match 9, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 12 December 2020.
  24. "Match 8, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 12 December 2020.
  25. "Match 10, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 18 December 2020.
  26. "Griquas vs Bulls match cancelled". SA Rugby Mag. 17 December 2020. Archived from the original on 17 December 2020.
  27. "Match 11, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 19 December 2020.
  28. "Match 12, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 19 December 2020.
  29. "Match 13, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 26 December 2020.
  30. "Match 15, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 6 January 2021.
  31. "Carling Currie Cup dates juggled to beat COVID-19". Springboks Rugby. 21 December 2021. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  32. "Match 14, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 27 December 2020.
  33. "Match 16, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 2 January 2021.
  34. "Match 17, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 2 January 2021.
  35. "Match 18, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 2 January 2021.
  36. Richardson, James (6 January 2021). "Breaking news: Western Province vs Sharks Currie Cup match called off". The South African. Archived from the original on 6 January 2021.
  37. "Match 21, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 10 January 2021.
  38. "Match 20, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 9 January 2021.
  39. "Match 19, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 9 January 2021.
  40. "Carling Currie Cup playoff dates amended". SA Rugby. 8 January 2021. Archived from the original on 9 January 2021.
  41. "Match 22, Semifinal". South African Rugby Union. 16 January 2021.
  42. "Match 23, Semifinal". South African Rugby Union. 16 January 2021.
  43. "Match 24, Final". South African Rugby Union. 30 January 2021.
  44. "Vodacom Blue Bulls 2020–21 Squad". Bulls. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  45. "Currie Cup Players". Free State Cheetahs. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  46. "'Trekvoël' Davids maak GW sy tuiste". Netwerk24 (in Afrikaans). 31 October 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  47. "Team profiles Xerox Lions". Lions. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  48. "The Pumas Rugby Team". Pumas Rugby. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  49. "2020 Carling Cup Squad". Sharks. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  50. "DHL Western Province 2020 Squad". Western Province. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
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