The time of the year in which this season is unfolding may be different, but the Carling Currie Cup remains as relevant as ever as the platform from which champions and Springboks are made.
Having broken the legendary Naas Botha’s rule that, it “is not won in May” by being won in June by the Toyota Cheetahs last year, the 2024 Carling Black Label Currie Cup has spanned a different window, kicking off in July and concluding at the end of September.
But whatever time of the year the world’s oldest rugby competition takes place in, it is a tournament in which the champion within will always be recognised and rewarded – on and off the field.
From the youngsters introducing themselves in the country’s traditional rugby competition on the field, to an ever-present and ever-evolving support base which has been around for over a century, the Carling Black Label Currie Cup will always empower its own to find and reward the champion within.
And few things are more rewarding than an opportunity to engage with a trophy that has stood the test of time.
Being recognised as the oldest rugby competition in the world, the face of the Currie Cup’s age and wisdom is the Sir Donald Currie cup, a trophy which has long epitomised the tournament’s rich history.
Having hit these shores with the British Isles as long ago as 1891 – when Sir Currie instructed the touring team to hand it to the side that put up the best fight (it ended up being Griquas with a 3-0 defeat) on tour – the Currie Cup has since laid its head in every rugby playing province in the country.
In keeping with its itinerant ways, the Currie Cup – which harks back to the days when you could still drink a Carling Black Label a trophy – currently calls Bloemfontein home, thanks to the Toyota Cheetahs XV winning last year’s edition.
With the tournament now going into the business end with the semifinals – where the top-of-the-table Fidelity ADT Lions will host the defending champion Toyota Cheetahs XV in Johannesburg, and the Vodacom Blue Bulls reprise Sunday’s final round encounter against the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV at Loftus Versfeld – upon us, it’s time for the trophy to kick off its Carling Black Label tour and go door-to-door in the Gauteng area.
As the tournament builds to what is expected to be a tense and exciting conclusion in September, the trophy will be a curious bystander on the touchline for broadcast purposes as well as a reminder of what’s at stake. Mr Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, added: “As the oldest provincial rugby competition in the world, the Carling Currie Cup has long served as a remarkable platform for players to demonstrate their readiness for the demands of high-intensity, top-level rugby. Many of South Africa’s greatest rugby legends have lifted the prestigious gold trophy.
“This year, once again, our teams have showcased the next generation of Springbok talent by offering valuable playing opportunities to the best local players. It has been particularly rewarding to witness numerous recent Junior Springboks successfully transition to senior professional rugby.
“The Carling Currie Cup embodies respectful rivalry, provincial pride, ambition, and community spirit, with steadfast local support. As we approach the playoffs, these values have been clearly reflected throughout a superb league phase, where our teams consistently delivered an exceptional level of competition week after week.”
The Sir Donald Currie cup won’t be confined to the touchline at the stadiums: the grand old dame of rugby trophies will also do the rounds at schools and discussed during assembly, at Show and Tell (the stories it could tell from its 133 years in the country) and in communities all over the region.
Come to think of it, few things say “history is in your hands” to you as a rugby fan more than taking a selfie – or even lifting – the same trophy lifted by Naas, Gary (Teichmann), Joost (van der Westhuizen), Victor (Matfield) et al.
At the core of the inspiration that is the Currie Cup – both the tournament and the trophy – is its durability, how relatable it has always managed to be and its ability to inspire generations, young and old.
Having always been a historical point of reference in South African rugby circles, the Carling Black Label Currie Cup continues to also be a forward-looking competition, looking at the many young players carving a path as future Springboks.
Having threatened to go unbeaten throughout the round-robin stages, the Vodacom Bulls were ambushed at home by the Fidelity ADT Lions, who took the lead in the standings with the victory as well.
By also potentially securing a home final, the Fidelity ADT Lions have booked themselves a date with the fourth and final team to qualify for the semis, thanks to a comprehensive 41-14 win over the Airlink Pumas in their playoffs shootout in Mbombela.
And in hosting the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV in their semifinal at Loftus Versfeld, the Vodacom Bulls probably have the most unpredictable opponent to contend with in the knockout phases.
JP Pietersen’s team – loaded with youngsters – were slow to start with but have improved to probably the most unpredictable teams in terms of attack in the competition.
Let the champion within emerge.
Twitter : @blacklabelsa
Facebook : @carlingblacklabel
Instagram : @carlingblacklabel
INFO SUPPLIED
