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Georgians among three international sides to join Currie Cup

(Photo by Francois Nel/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Updated 16.24pm: Kenya, Zimbabwe and a Georgian XV will take part in South Africa’s domestic Currie Cup tournament from April, offering an opportunity for more regular competition ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup.

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The three countries are in contention for a place at next year’s tournament in France and have been added to the participants in the second tier of the competition between April and June, SA Rugby said on Monday.

Kenya and Zimbabwe are both playing in the last phase of African World Cup qualifiers in July while Georgia could have their qualification wrapped up next month as they look to top the Rugby Europe Championship for a second successive year.

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Le French Rugby Podcast – Episode Episode 17

France are the only team left in this year’s Six Nations with their Grand Slam hopes still alive and we’re joined by former Ireland hooker and ex-Grenoble coach Bernard Jackman to dissect their win over Ireland. We discuss French physicality, the calibre of coaching, dessert-gate during his time in France and much more. Plus, Johnnie picks himself up after another false dawn for Scotland, Benji gives his view on what’s going on in Toulon and we pick our MEATER Moment Of The Week…
Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com

In the Currie Cup First Division, the trio of international participants will join defending champions Leopards along with Griffons, South Western Districts, Boland, Eastern Province, Border and the Valke over a single round of matches, with the final scheduled in June.

South Africa’s top domestic teams are playing in the United Rugby Championship, against Irish, Italian, Scottish and Welsh opposition, as well as in the Currie Cup Premier Division.

“Understandably, it has been very difficult to plan for the new season in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and while a number of variables may yet change our plans, we are pleased to announce these competitions, ranging from the Carling Currie Cup First Division and women’s leagues down to provincial age-group rugby,” said SA Rugby CEO, Jurie Roux.

“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.”

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Carling Currie Cup Premier Division

Participating teams: Vodacom Bulls (defending champions), Cell C Sharks, Tafel Lager Griquas, DHL Western Province, Airlink Pumas, Toyota Cheetahs, Sigma Lions
Opening round: 14/15 January (double round of matches)
Final: 25 June

Carling Currie Cup First Division

Participating teams: Leopards (defending champions), Griffons, Valke, Boland Kavaliers, Eastern Province, Border Bulldogs, SWD Eagles, Georgia, Kenya, Zimbabwe
Opening round: 1/2 April (single round of matches)
Final: 24/25 June

UPDATE: RugbyPass sought clarification over which Georgian side will be entering the competition and SA Rugby confirmed it would be a Georgian XV.

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J
JD 19 minutes ago
Steve Borthwick urged by predecessor to make radical Ben Earl decision

Happy to concede I mis read stats in relation to games played. Sorry about that.


Ojomoh is only a guaranteed starter when Redpath isn’t injured for Bath. Luckily for him Redpath is has been quite injury prone recently, but when Cam is fit, he starts. I like him, but he doesn’t have the second playmaker ability which England seem to prefer at 12.


Seb has not even made the A’s squad and is a long way from a call up. 2 years is too soon.


I’m not going to change my mind in respect of BJVR, mainly because I do not see his age as an issue (30 at the next world cup) and because I don’t see the issue with selecting players who are qualified for our country.


He fits the bill perfectly in terms of his skillset and type of play, he has been playing at the top level of club rugby for the last 6 years or so and is regarded as one of the best in our league in his position, starting week in/ week out for the second placed team.


If he was 33 or so at the next world cup, or if his form went off a cliff, I would agree with you. Neither of these are the case. If his form continues, he comes into the squad. No pressure to immediately excel as there will be around 10 games between a potential first cap and the WC.


Main mistake being made, regardless of the above, is SB persisting with Slade. Why not give Ojomoh a go now and see? Why not try Dingwall? Steve’s run of poor results mean he has slightly lost the ability to try different things unless we get some wins. I expect Ojomoh to tour Argentina in the summer though.

16 Go to comments
S
Spew_81 1 hour ago
'He wants players to be able to play four positions': Former All Black critiques Robertson's strategy

I’m not making it up regarding to Hansen’s intentions for the 10 jersey for the All Blacks in regards to McKenzie.


Lima Sopoaga retired in 2020.


McKenzie started in the third All Blacks vs France test in Dunedin in 2018. Hansen started McKenzie at 10 and put Mo’unga on the bench: Damian McKenzie's 24 point game! + Rieko Ioane hat trick: All Blacks vs France 2018 » allblacks.com.


Or see this article just before the match: Damian McKenzie takes hold of All Blacks No 10 jersey while Richie Mo’unga looms large | Stuff.


Damian is coming along nicely," Hansen told All Blacks TV. "He has shown he can play genuine test rugby as a fullback and the other night he put in a good stint at first-five for us.”


Hansen was giving Mo’unga a raw deal at the same time:


Hansen has indicated that Mo'unga will get a decent amount of game time, despite missing out on a starting spot. "Richie will get his shot off the bench,” said Hansen. "He has a strong ability to drive the team when he has been given an opportunity, so we are extremely confident he can do the job."


Mo’unga only got a real look in when McKenzie got badly injured and couldn’t make RWC 2019.


Hansen wanted B Barrett at 10 and saw McKenzie as the next option with Mo’unga in third place, in case of injury.


Cruden was playing Top 14 from 2017-2019, so he was fit enough to play at a high level. A an experienced 10 who was a game manager, who worked well with SBW could’ve been useful.


Regarding the Board. They were right to give Hansen the freedom to try his ideas. He was very successful. The All Blacks looked awesome against Ireland in the RWC 2019 quarter final. They were unprepared to play England in the semi though. It was more the Board installing Foster as the coach, and not removing him after two seasons, that was the Board’s error. The repercussions of that are still being worked through.

65 Go to comments
J
JW 2 hours ago
'He wants players to be able to play four positions': Former All Black critiques Robertson's strategy

Yeah I agree Hansen loved Beaudy way too much. Don’t see what that has to do with your statement of Dmac though.


I think you’re doing that thing where you make stuff up to fit the current picture you’re trying to paint.

But Hansen clearly wanted McKenzie at 15 (probably to take over at 10 later, like B Barrett did). So Cruden was on the outer.

Dmac had never been used as a starting 10 at any level by the point Lima had retired. Mo’unga took over, not Dmac.


Cruden was given the 10 jersey post 2015. He got injured in his second game, lost his jersey after that, but was still second to Barrett. Yes, many thought he should have been given it back (and that he should have got it back straight qaway), but Dmac wasn’t even in the picture at this point so you’re completly off track with those statements you’ve made.


That was the only occasion Dmac played 10, he was always at 15 in that period you mention.

After Cruden as dropped, Mo’unga was the only ‘knock out game’ test 10 New Zealand had. I guess Hansen sold them the idea that McKenzie was the way forward at 10, while Foster thought he could make B Barrett into ‘knock out game’ test 10? Who knows the thought process that went on.


Good job they cleaned the Board out.

Cruden was the first five version of Ethan Blackadder, he was not dropped, he couldn’t regain his place after injury and he said that his injuries were a big factor in leaving.


Hansen had nothing to do with McKenzie at 10.


That you comment about the board in this discussion is enlightening Spew!


Nothing you’ve replied with contradicts when I said about the inaccuracy of those highlighted statements. Bias is sending you waaay off track.


The facet I could agree on (not that you’ve really made the point) would be that by delaying bringing Mo’unga into the side, and instead continuing with Lima (or Barrett if you want to make Lima 1 and Richie 2), he cut short Richies prep for RWC 2019. It would indeed be a lot of pressure to handle being given the 10 jersey a few months out from a WC.


And ofc the old clicks penchants for dual playmakers and thinking Barrett can be a 10 (you’re preaching to the choir, just with bad basis of facts).

65 Go to comments
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