Currie Cup, SA Cup dates locked in

SA Rugby has confirmed the dates for two of the local season’s prized competitions.

The SA Cup will kick off on 7 March, running through to the final on 23 May, while the Currie Cup Premier Division gets underway on 18 July, with the final set for 12 September.

After reports that the four URC unions could field teams in this year’s SA Cup, the tournament features the same 10 sides and an unchanged format, with a single round of matches followed by semi-finals and a final. The top four teams at the end of the league phase will qualify for the Currie Cup Premier Division, joining the Vodacom Bulls, Sharks, Lions and Western Province.

The remaining six SA Cup teams will contest the Currie Cup First Division, which starts on 13 June and concludes with the final on 25 July.

SA RUGBY CEO: Global season getting closer

Beyond the men’s senior competitions, SA Rugby also confirmed key dates across the women’s, youth and club landscapes. The domestic season will begin with the rebranded Women’s Super League 1 on 15 February, while the Women’s Super League 2 gets underway on 4 July.

The annual Youth Weeks will again see alignment between boys’ and girls’ competitions. The U18 Craven Week and U18 Girls Week will take place from 6 to 11 July at Grey High School in Gqeberha, followed by SA Schools matches on 16 July. The U16 Grant Khomo Week and U16 Girls Week will be hosted by Kearsney College in Durban from 29 June to 3 July.

At club level, the Women’s Club Championship returns from 19 to 26 September, while the Gold Cup starts on 26 September, with the final scheduled for 24 October.

SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer said the confirmation of the 2026 competition structure followed extensive planning across the game.

“In a year when we will see the Springboks take on the All Blacks in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry on home soil, as well as the new Nations Championship, we are once more extremely pleased to announce these confirmed local competitions,” Oberholzer said.

SA Cup
Participating teams: Boland Cavaliers, Border Bulldogs, Eastern Province, Cheetahs, Griquas, Griffons, Leopards, Pumas, SWD Eagles, Valke
Defending champions: Pumas
Opening round: 7 March (single round of matches with two semi-finals and a final)
Final: 23 May

Currie Cup Premier Division
Participating teams: Vodacom Bulls, Sharks, Western Province, Lions and the top four qualifiers in the SA Cup
Defending champions: Griquas
Opening round: 18 July (single round of matches with two semi-finals and a final)
Final: 12 September

Currie Cup First Division
Participating teams: The six teams who missed out on the Premier Division at the end of the SA Cup
Defending champions: Griffons
Opening round: 13 June (single round of matches with two semi-finals and a final)
Final: 25 July

ALSO: Springboks 2026 schedule

Women’s Super League 1
Participating teams: Boland Dames, Bulls Daisies, Border Ladies, Eastern Province Queens, Free State Women, Golden Lions Women, Sharks Women, Western Province Women
Defending champions: Bulls Daisies
Opening round: 15 February (single round of matches with a final)
Final: 4 April

Women’s Super League 2
Participating teams: Griquas Women, Griffons Women, Leopards Women, Limpopo Blue Bulls Women, Pumas Women, SWD Eagirls, Valke Women
Defending champions: Pumas Women
Opening round: 4 July (single round of matches with a final)
Final: 22 August

Gold Cup
Participating teams: 32 clubs from the 15 provincial unions
Defending champions: Naka Bulls
Opening round: 26 September (knockout format)
Final: 24 October

Women’s Club Championship
Participating teams: 16 clubs from the 15 provincial unions
Defending champions: Kwaru
When: 19-26 September (knockout format)

Youth Weeks

U18 Craven Week & U18 Girls Week
Venue: Grey High School, Gqeberha
When: 6-11 July

SA Schools matches (boys and girls)
When: 16 July

U16 Grant Khomo Week and & U16 Girls Week
Venue: Kearsney College, Durban
When: 29 June – 3 July

Photo: Christiaan Kotze/Gallo Images