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2015 Currie Cup Premier Division
77th season of the Currie Cup Premier Division From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The 2015 Currie Cup Premier Division was the 77th season in the competition since it started in 1889 and was contested from 7 August to 24 October 2015. The tournament (known as the Absa Currie Cup Premier Division for sponsorship reasons) was the top tier of South Africa's premier domestic rugby union competition.
The competition was won by the Golden Lions for the eleventh time in their history; they beat Western Province 32–24 in the final played on 24 October 2015.
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Competition rules and information
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There were eight participating teams in the 2015 Currie Cup Premier Division.[1][2]
Qualification
The six franchise 'anchor' teams automatically qualified to the 2015 Currie Cup Premier Division, as did the Pumas by virtue of finishing in the top six teams in the 2014 Currie Cup Premier Division. Griquas, who finished 7th in 2014, as well as the six teams in the 2014 Currie Cup First Division, took part in a qualification tournament to determine the final participant.
The qualification competition was won by Griquas for the second year in succession.
Regular season and title playoffs
The eight teams were divided into two sections, based on their 2014 positions. Teams in each section played each other twice over the course of the season, once at home and once away. Teams also played cross-section matches, playing one match (either home or away) against the teams in the other section.
Teams received four points for a win and two points for a draw. Bonus points were awarded to teams that scored 4 or more tries in a game, as well as to teams that lost a match by 7 points or less. Teams were ranked by points, then points difference (points scored less points conceded).
The top 4 teams qualified for the title play-offs. In the semifinals, the team that finished first had home advantage against the team that finish fourth, while the team that finished second had home advantage against the team that finished third. The winners of these semi-finals played each other in the final, at the home venue of the higher-placed team.
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Teams
Location of teams in 2015 Currie Cup Premier Division
Team Listing
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Log
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The final log of the round-robin stage of the 2015 Currie Cup Premier Division was:[3]
Updated to match(es) played on 11 October 2015. Source: [3]
Rules for classification: 4 points for a win; 2 points for a draw; 1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less; 1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match
Rules for classification: 4 points for a win; 2 points for a draw; 1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less; 1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match
Round-by-round
The table below shows each team's progression throughout the season. For each round, their cumulative points total is shown with the overall log position in brackets:
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Fixtures and results
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The following matches were played for the 2015 Currie Cup Premier Division:[4]
Round one
Defending champions Western Province began their defence of the title with a 43–19 win over qualifier Griquas in Kimberley. They ran in six tries, with South Africa Sevens international Seabelo Senatla getting two tries, while Demetri Catrakilis scored 13 points for the winning side. The Pumas won their home match against the Sharks for the second year in a row, prevailing 33–24 in Nelspruit. Both teams scored three tries, two of those from Pumas loose-forward Marnus Schoeman, with the boot of Pumas fly-half JC Roos proving decisive, kicking 18 points by successfully converting all seven of his attempts at goal. 2014 losing finalists the Golden Lions won 51–14 against the 2014 bottom side, the Eastern Province Kings. Golden Lions loose-forward Kwagga Smith scored a hat-trick of tries to help secure a four-try bonus points as early as the 16th minute of the match, while fly-half Marnitz Boshoff contributed 21 points, by successfully converting all nine kicks at goal during the match. The biggest win of the weekend came in Bloemfontein, where the Blue Bulls ran in six tries to beat the Free State Cheetahs 57–19. Blue Bulls fly-half Tian Schoeman topped the scoring charts after Round One, kicking five conversions and four penalties for a total of 22 points in the match, while scrum-half Francois Hougaard scored two tries for the Blue Bulls to send them top of the log.[5]
| 7 August 2015 | Griquas | 19–43 | Western Province | Griqua Park, Kimberley | ||
| 15:30 | Try: AJ le Roux  11' Riaan Viljoen 57' Ruhan Nel 65'Con: Gouws Prinsloo  12' (1/1) Ntabeni Dukisa 66' (1/2) |
Report[6] Scoreboard[7] |
Try: Nizaam Carr 8' Seabelo Senatla 20', 52' Dillyn Leyds 27' Sikhumbuzo Notshe 71' Juan de Jongh 74'Con: Demetri Catrakilis 9', 21', 28', 53', 72' (5/5) Kurt Coleman (0/1) Pen: Demetri Catrakilis 14' (1/3)Cards: Jean Kleyn  24' to 34' Rynhardt Elstadt 61' |
Attendance: 3,500 Referee: Jaco Peyper |
| 7 August 2015 | Pumas | 33–24 | Sharks | Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela | ||
| 18:00 | Try: Stefan Watermeyer 11' Marnus Schoeman 30', 37'Con: JC Roos 12', 31', 38' (3/3)Pen: JC Roos 15', 24', 47', 79' (4/4) |
Report[8] Scoreboard[9] |
Try: Lionel Cronjé 25' Heimar Williams 41' Dan du Preez 63'Con: Joe Pietersen 26', 42', 64' (3/3)Pen: Joe Pietersen 72' (1/1) |
Attendance: 4,750 Referee: Jaco van Heerden |
| 8 August 2015 | Eastern Province Kings | 14–51 | Golden Lions | Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth | ||
| 14:15 | Try: Sylvian Mahuza 19' Simon Kerrod 53'Con: Scott van Breda 20', 54' (2/2)Cards: Schalk Ferreira 66' to 76' |
Report[10] Scoreboard[11] |
Try: Kwagga Smith 1', 16', 68' Courtnall Skosan 6' Howard Mnisi 13' Anthony Volmink 77'Con: Marnitz Boshoff 69', 78', 2', 7', 14', 17' (6/6)Pen: Marnitz Boshoff 34', 50', 58' (3/3)Drop: Marnitz Boshoff (0/1) |
Attendance: 3,068 Referee: Quinton Immelman |
| 8 August 2015 | Free State Cheetahs | 19–57 | Blue Bulls | Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein | ||
| 14:15 | Try: Boom Prinsloo 4' Shaun Venter 60' Clayton Blommetjies 76'Con: Niel Marais 5' (1/1) Fred Zeilinga 61' (1/2)Pen: Niel Marais (0/1) |
Report[12] Scoreboard[13] |
Try: Jamba Ulengo 12' Deon Stegmann 16' Francois Hougaard 40', 63' Warrick Gelant 46' Travis Ismaiel 72'Con: Tian Schoeman 13', 17', 40', 47', 64' (5/5) Louis Fouché 73' (1/1)Pen: Tian Schoeman 30', 38', 55', 69' (4/4) Louis Fouché 80' (1/1) |
Attendance: 32,849 Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen |
Round two
The Friday night action saw both the Blue Bulls and the Golden Lions extend their unbeaten runs in the competition by notching their second wins in a row. The Blue Bulls overturned a 6–12 deficit to score four second-half tries in a 36–12 victory over Griquas, who lost for the second consecutive match. Fly-half Tian Schoeman kicked 16 points for the Blue Bulls and also scored one of the Blue Bulls' tries. The Golden Lions scored five tries – two of those penalty tries – to the Pumas' three to prevail 44–27 in Johannesburg in a clash between two previously unbeaten sides that saw three players sent to the sin-bin. All eight tries in the match were successfully converted by the Golden Lions' Marnitz Boshoff (who also scored two penalties and a drop goal for a personal tally of 19 points) and the Pumas' JC Roos. There were no tries in the match in Cape Town as Western Province won their second match in succession by edging the clash 9–3 against a Free State Cheetahs side who had three players sin-binned, a result that saw the latter lose their second consecutive match, but gain a losing bonus point. The Sharks and the Eastern Province Kings each scored four tries in their clash in Durban, which saw the hosts get their first win of the season to move into fourth position on the log while the EP Kings' bonus points kept them in seventh, one point clear of Griquas.[14]
| 14 August 2015 | Blue Bulls | 36–12 | Griquas | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | ||
| 19:10 | Try: Dayan van der Westhuizen 59' Tian Schoeman 64' Francois Hougaard 67' Jamba Ulengo 78'Con: Tian Schoeman 66', 68' (2/3) Louis Fouché (0/1) Pen: Tian Schoeman 6', 39', 48', 58' (4/5) |
Report[15] Scoreboard[16] |
Try: Ruhan Nel 10' Ntabeni Dukisa 35'Con: Gouws Prinsloo 36' (1/2)Pen: Gouws Prinsloo (0/2) Drop: Ruhan Nel (0/1) |
Referee: Quinton Immelman |
| 14 August 2015 | Golden Lions | 44–27 | Pumas | Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg | ||
| 19:10 | Try: Harold Vorster 26' penalty try 33', 57' Courtnall Skosan 44' Stokkies Hanekom 71'Con: Marnitz Boshoff 27', 34', 45', 58', 72' (5/5)Pen: Marnitz Boshoff 23', 56' (2/2)Drop: Marnitz Boshoff 8' (1/1)Cards: Ruan Combrinck 74' Kwagga Smith 75' |
Report[17] Scoreboard[18] |
Try: Marnus Schoeman 20' Bernado Botha 42' Stefan Watermeyer 54'Con: JC Roos 21', 43', 55' (3/3)Pen: JC Roos 28', 49' (2/5)Cards: JC Roos 57' to 67' |
Attendance: 7,629 Referee: Stuart Berry |
| 15 August 2015 | Western Province | 9–3 | Free State Cheetahs | Newlands Stadium, Cape Town | ||
| 15:00 | Pen: Demetri Catrakilis 54', 57', 60' (3/4) |
Report[19] Scoreboard[20] |
Pen: Fred Zeilinga 18' (1/1) Cards: Rayno Benjamin 34' to 45' Gerhard Olivier 59' to 69' Henco Venter 64' |
Attendance: 10,871 Referee: Jaco van Heerden |
| 15 August 2015 | Sharks | 33–25 | Eastern Province Kings | Kings Park Stadium, Durban | ||
| 17:05 | Try: André Esterhuizen 15' Lionel Cronjé 17' Dan du Preez 55' Paul Jordaan 66'Con: Joe Pietersen 18', 67' (2/4)Pen: Joe Pietersen 7', 25', 62' (3/3)Cards: Philip van der Walt 40' to 50' Odwa Ndungane 73' |
Report[21] Scoreboard[22] |
Try: George Whitehead 12' Tim Agaba 40' Steven Sykes 44' Enrico Acker 47'Con: Scott van Breda (0/2) George Whitehead 44' (1/2)Pen: Scott van Breda (0/1) George Whitehead 58' (1/1) |
Attendance: 7,699 Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen |
Round three
Despite scoring the only try of the match, the Eastern Province Kings lost the first match of the weekend 13–15 to a Pumas side for whom fly-half JC Roos slotted five penalties in five attempts. In a battle between two teams without any victories in the competition this far, the Free State Cheetahs ran out winners by beating Griquas 31–9 in Kimberley. The Cheetahs secured a bonus point by scoring four tries, with Fred Zeilinga scoring one of those in a personal contribution of 16 points, while Griquas remain bottom of the log with no log points to their name. The two teams from Gauteng remained the only unbeaten teams after victories in their matches – the Golden Lions scored four tries to beat the Sharks 31–16 in Durban, while the Blue Bulls beat defending champions Western Province 47–29 in the highest-scoring match of the weekend, with Jamba Ulengo scoring two tries and fly-half Tian Schoeman contributing 19 points with the boot, the same points haul as Western Province's Demetri Catrakilis.[23]
| 21 August 2015 | Eastern Province Kings | 13–15 | Pumas | Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth | ||
| 19:00 | Try: Lizo Gqoboka 61' Con: Scott van Breda 62' (1/1)Pen: Scott van Breda 10', 48' (2/3)Cards: Steven Sykes 35' to 45' |
Report[24] Scoreboard[25] |
Pen: JC Roos 3', 12', 56', 65', 76' (5/5) |
Attendance: 2,857 Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge |
| 21 August 2015 | Griquas | 9–31 | Free State Cheetahs | Griqua Park, Kimberley | ||
| 19:10 | Pen: Ntabeni Dukisa 8', 32', 40' (3/3) Cards: Ewald van der Westhuizen 52' to 63' |
Report[26] Scoreboard[27] |
Try: Rayno Benjamin 16' Fred Zeilinga 47' Sergeal Petersen 50' Gerhard Olivier 53'Con: Fred Zeilinga 17', 48', 51', 54' (4/4)Pen: Fred Zeilinga 28' (1/2)Cards: Maks van Dyk 57' to 68' |
Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Pro Legoete |
| 22 August 2015 | Sharks | 16–31 | Golden Lions | Kings Park Stadium, Durban | ||
| 17:05 | Try: Odwa Ndungane 60' Con: Joe Pietersen 61' (1/1)Pen: Joe Pietersen 29', 35', 57' (3/3) |
Report[28] Scoreboard[29] |
Try: Howard Mnisi 11' Stokkies Hanekom 66' Courtnall Skosan 73' Anthony Volmink 79'Con: Marnitz Boshoff 12', 67', 74', 80' (4/4)Pen: Ruan Combrinck 49' (1/1) |
Attendance: 12,331 Referee: Quinton Immelman |
| 22 August 2015 | Blue Bulls | 47–29 | Western Province | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | ||
| 19:10 | Try: Burger Odendaal 50' Jamba Ulengo 55', 61' Travis Ismaiel 58' Warrick Gelant 65'Con: Tian Schoeman 51', 62' (2/5)Pen: Tian Schoeman 9', 12', 19', 25', 39' (5/7) Louis Fouché 77' (1/1) |
Report[30] Scoreboard[31] |
Try: Seabelo Senatla 28' Dillyn Leyds 45'Con: Demetri Catrakilis 29', 46' (2/2)Pen: Demetri Catrakilis 3', 16', 32', 50', 55' (5/6)Cards: Dillyn Leyds 60' to 70' |
Attendance: 27,546 Referee: Craig Joubert |
Round four
The Golden Lions overtook the Blue Bulls at the top of the log on points difference after both teams extended their winning streaks to four matches. Kwagga Smith scored two tries and Marnitz Boshoff contributed 21 points with the boot as the Golden Lions scored a convincing 41–11 victory over a Pumas side that saw four of their players sin-binned during the course of the match. The Blue Bulls fought back from a 0–11 deficit after twenty minutes to secure a 46–32 victory over Griquas in Kimberley. Fly-half Tian Schoeman kicked 16 points to maintain his spot at the top of the points scoring charts, while winger Jamba Ulengo scored two tries in the match to top the try scoring charts. Dries Swanepoel also scored two tries as the visitors outscored Griquas by six tries to four. The Free State Cheetahs secured their second consecutive win by beating Western Province 28–21 in a match in Bloemfontein to move into the semifinal spots for the first time this season. Western Province remain in third despite suffering their second consecutive defeat. The Sharks kept in touch with the play-off places by securing a narrow 24–20 victory over the Eastern Province Kings in Port Elizabeth, fighting back from losing 0–13 shortly before half-time.[32]
| 28 August 2015 | Pumas | 11–41 | Golden Lions | Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela | ||
| 19:00 | Try: Faf de Klerk 52' Con: JC Roos (0/1) Pen: JC Roos 39', 46' (2/4)Cards: Stefan Watermeyer 6' to 16' Marnus Schoeman 62' to 72' Uzair Cassiem 67' to 77' Khwezi Mona 75' |
Report[33] Scoreboard[34] |
Try: penalty try 6' Kwagga Smith 57', 77' Jacques van Rooyen 63'Con: Marnitz Boshoff 7', 64', 78' (3/4)Pen: Marnitz Boshoff 21', 31', 42', 51' (4/4)Drop: Marnitz Boshoff 40' (1/1) |
Attendance: 4,800 Referee: Pro Legoete |
| 28 August 2015 | Free State Cheetahs | 28–21 | Western Province | Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein | ||
| 19:10 | Try: Niell Jordaan 2' Shaun Venter 15' Rayno Benjamin 25'Con: Fred Zeilinga 16', 26' (2/3)Pen: Fred Zeilinga 5', 20' (2/3) Sias Ebersohn 73' (1/1) |
Report[35] Scoreboard[36] |
Try: Seabelo Senatla 32' Rynhardt Elstadt 37'Con: Demetri Catrakilis 38' (1/2)Pen: Demetri Catrakilis 13' (1/1) Kurt Coleman 56', 59' (2/2)Drop: Kurt Coleman (0/1) |
Attendance: 9,425 Referee: Stuart Berry |
| 29 August 2015 | Griquas | 32–46 | Blue Bulls | Griqua Park, Kimberley | ||
| 15:00 | Try: Ntabeni Dukisa 7' Carel Greeff 44' AJ le Roux 56' Riaan Viljoen 72'Con: Ntabeni Dukisa 45' (1/2) Clinton Swart 57', 73' (2/2)Pen: Ntabeni Dukisa 3', 17' (2/3)Cards: Hilton Lobberts 77' |
Report[37] Scoreboard[38] |
Try: Travis Ismaiel 28' Jamba Ulengo 32', 61' Dries Swanepoel 37', 40' Louis Fouché 79'Con: Tian Schoeman 29', 33', 38', 40', 62' (5/5) Louis Fouché (0/1) Pen: Tian Schoeman 22', 53' (2/3)Cards: Lappies Labuschagné 5' to 15' |
Attendance: 2,500 Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen |
| 29 August 2015 | Eastern Province Kings | 20–24 | Sharks | Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth | ||
| 17:05 | Try: Thembelani Bholi 3' penalty try 75'Con: Scott van Breda 4', 75' (2/2)Pen: Scott van Breda 9', 32' (2/3)Cards: Siyanda Grey 25' to 35' |
Report[39] Scoreboard[40] |
Try: Joe Pietersen 39' Francois Kleinhans 48' Dan du Preez 56'Con: Joe Pietersen 40', 49', 57' (3/3)Pen: Joe Pietersen 61' (1/2)Cards: S'bura Sithole 75' |
Attendance: 5,152 Referee: Jaco van Heerden |
Round Five
The Golden Lions preserved their unbeaten status, winning their fifth consecutive match of the competition by beating the Eastern Province Kings 37–21 in Johannesburg. They scored five tries – which included their fourth penalty try of the season – against the visitors' three, which included a brace from loose-forward Paul Schoeman. The Golden Lions moved one point ahead of the Blue Bulls on the log after the latter failed to get a bonus point in their 24–17 victory over the Free State Cheetahs. Both teams scored two tries, with the kicking by competition top-scorer Tian Schoeman and replacement Louis Fouché proving decisive for the Blue Bulls. The Free State Cheetahs also slipped out of the semifinal positions, with a 27–26 victory for the Sharks over the Pumas ensuring the team from Durban move up to fourth. Winger Wandile Mjekevu contributed two tries for the Sharks and full-back Joe Pietersen contributed 12 points with the boot against a Pumas side that remained in sixth position. In Cape Town, Western Province returned to winning ways after two consecutive defeats by beating Griquas 33–15. They also got a bonus point for scoring four tries in the match through four different try scorers, while the highest points contribution of the round came from Clinton Swart, who kicked five penalties for a Griquas team who remain bottom of the log with a single point to their name.[41]
| 4 September 2015 | Blue Bulls | 24–17 | Free State Cheetahs | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | ||
| 19:10 | Try: Burger Odendaal 20' Dries Swanepoel 71'Con: Tian Schoeman (0/1) Louis Fouché 72' (1/1)Pen: Tian Schoeman 27', 35' (2/3) Louis Fouché 67', 80' (2/3) |
Report[42] Scoreboard[43] |
Try: Rayno Benjamin 37' Sias Ebersohn 77'Con: Fred Zeilinga 38' (1/1) Clayton Blommetjies 77' (1/1)Pen: Fred Zeilinga 44' (1/4)Cards: Luan de Bruin 34' to 44' |
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge |
| 5 September 2015 | Sharks | 27–26 | Pumas | Kings Park Stadium, Durban | ||
| 15:00 | Try: Wandile Mjekevu 15', 69' Paul Jordaan 45'Con: Joe Pietersen 16', 46', 70' (3/3)Pen: Joe Pietersen 30', 75' (2/3)Cards: Cobus Reinach 26' to 36' |
Report[44] Scoreboard[45] |
Try: Marius Coetzer 23' JW Bell 55'Con: JC Roos 24' (1/1) Justin van Staden 56' (1/1)Pen: JC Roos 26', 40' (2/2) Justin van Staden 60', 66' (2/4)Cards: Jacques Momberg 43' to 57' |
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen |
| 5 September 2015 | Western Province | 33–15 | Griquas | Newlands Stadium, Cape Town | ||
| 17:05 | Try: Nic Groom 25' Rynhardt Elstadt 59' Jaco Taute 69' Robert du Preez 74'Con: Kurt Coleman 26', 60' (2/3) Robert du Preez (0/1) Pen: Kurt Coleman 22', 39', 67' (3/4) |
Report[46] Scoreboard[47] |
Pen: Clinton Swart 13', 29', 34', 43', 57' (5/6) Cards: Carel Greeff 23' to 34' Jaco Nepgen 63' to 73' |
Referee: Jaco van Heerden |
| 5 September 2015 | Golden Lions | 37–21 | Eastern Province Kings | Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg | ||
| 19:10 | Try: penalty try 4' Kwagga Smith 11' Stokkies Hanekom 13' Stephan de Wit 30' Ruan Combrinck 83'Con: Jaco van der Walt 5', 13' (2/4) Marnitz Boshoff 84' (1/1)Pen: Jaco van der Walt 40' (1/1) Marnitz Boshoff 70' (1/1)Drop: Marnitz Boshoff (0/1) |
Report[48] Scoreboard[49] |
Try: Siyanda Grey 15' Paul Schoeman 23', 55'Con: Karlo Aspeling 16', 25', 56' (3/3)Cards: Eital Bredenkamp 76' Hansie Graaff  83' |
Referee: Stuart Berry |
Round Six
The Golden Lions beat their trans-Jukskei rivals the Blue Bulls 36–28 in the top-of-the-table match between two previously unbeaten teams. The Blue Bulls outscored the Golden Lions by four tries to three (with Blue Bulls winger Jamba Ulengo getting two tries), but it was not enough as 21 points from the boot of Marnitz Boshoff decided the match in the favour of the team from Johannesburg. This allowed Western Province to close the gap to the Blue Bulls after they beat the Sharks 37–27 in Durban and securing a bonus point for their four tries. At the bottom of the log, both the Eastern Province Kings and Griquas picked up their first wins of the season. The Eastern Province Kings beat the Free State Cheetahs 32–24 in Port Elizabeth despite playing the majority of the second half with just fourteen players following JP du Plessis' sending off for a punch. The Free State Cheetahs scored four tries, but Scott van Breda kicked 22 points to secure the victory for the home side. In Kimberley, two tries from Carel Greeff helped Griquas to a 32–15 win over the Pumas. Despite scoring four tries in the match, the result left Griquas bottom of the log, one point behind the Eastern Province Kings.[50]
| 11 September 2015 | Eastern Province Kings | 32–24 | Free State Cheetahs | Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth | ||
| 19:10 | Try: Luther Obi 30' Siyanda Grey 55'Con: Scott van Breda 31', 56' (2/2)Pen: Scott van Breda 8', 14', 40', 61', 64', 70' (6/6)Cards: JP du Plessis 46' |
Report[51] Scoreboard[52] |
Try: Gerhard Olivier 17' Shaun Venter 21' Clayton Blommetjies 34' Sergeal Petersen 78'Con: Fred Zeilinga 18', 22' (2/4) |
Referee: Quinton Immelman |
| 12 September 2015 | Griquas | 32–15 | Pumas | Griqua Park, Kimberley | ||
| 15:00 | Try: Carel Greeff 9', 21' Jacquin Jansen 46' Jono Janse van Rensburg 79'Con: Clinton Swart 10', 47' (2/3) Gouws Prinsloo 80' (1/1)Pen: Clinton Swart 7', 42' (2/3) |
Report[53] Scoreboard[54] |
Try: Marnus Schoeman 68' Roscko Speckman 70'Con: Justin van Staden 68' (1/2)Pen: Justin van Staden 4' (1/2)Cards: Faf de Klerk 30' to 40' |
Referee: Jaco van Heerden |
| 12 September 2015 | Sharks | 27–37 | Western Province | Kings Park Stadium, Durban | ||
| 17:05 | Try: André Esterhuizen 35' Odwa Ndungane 60'Con: Joe Pietersen 61' (1/2)Pen: Joe Pietersen 4', 10', 27', 40', 52' (5/6) |
Report[55] Scoreboard[56] |
Try: Seabelo Senatla 6' Rynhardt Elstadt 42' Dillyn Leyds 47' Bongi Mbonambi 53'Con: Robert du Preez 7', 43', 48', 54' (4/4)Pen: Robert du Preez 13', 58' (2/2) Demetri Catrakilis 79' (1/1) |
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge |
| 12 September 2015 | Blue Bulls | 28–36 | Golden Lions | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | ||
| 19:10 | Try: Jamba Ulengo 40', 69' Arno Botha 55' Deon Stegmann 60'Con: Tian Schoeman 40', 56', 61', 70' (4/4) |
Report[57] Scoreboard[58] |
Try: Courtnall Skosan 3' Franco Mostert 23' Ruan Combrinck 34'Con: Marnitz Boshoff 4', 24', 35' (3/3)Pen: Marnitz Boshoff 14', 27', 52', 78' (4/4)Drop: Marnitz Boshoff 19' (1/1) |
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen |
Round Seven
The Golden Lions beat the Sharks 26–18 in their clash in Johannesburg to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches and also ensuring a semi-final slot. Both sides scored two tries as 16 points from the boot of Marnitz Boshoff proved decisive for the home side. The Free State Cheetahs got the biggest win of the weekend, beating their Super Rugby franchise partners Griquas 44–24 in Bloemfontein. The Free State Cheetahs were the only side to secure a four-try bonus point during the round, with Sergeal Petersen scoring two of their five tries as they leap-frogged the Sharks into fourth spot on the log, while Ruhan Nel got a brace for the visitors. Western Province closed the gap to the Blue Bulls in second place, avenging their Round Three defeat in a 29–14 victory in Cape Town. The lowest-scoring match of the weekend saw the Pumas scoring two tries in a 20–9 victory over the Eastern Province Kings in Nelspruit.[59]
| 18 September 2015 | Pumas | 20–9 | Eastern Province Kings | Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela | ||
| 17:00 | Try: Jason Fraser 14' Marnus Schoeman 27'Con: Justin van Staden 15', 28' (2/2)Pen: Justin van Staden 19', 43' (2/3) |
Report[60] Scoreboard[61] |
Pen: Scott van Breda 8', 12', 30' (3/4) Cards: Thembelani Bholi 19' to 30' |
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni |
| 18 September 2015 | Western Province | 29–14 | Blue Bulls | Newlands Stadium, Cape Town | ||
| 19:00 | Try: Dillyn Leyds 3' Huw Jones 9' Jano Vermaak 77'Con: Robert du Preez 5' (1/3)Pen: Robert du Preez 32', 46', 59', 65' (4/5) |
Report[62] Scoreboard[63] |
Try: Travis Ismaiel 72' Con: Tian Schoeman (0/1) Pen: Louis Fouché 12', 30', 34' (3/4) Tian Schoeman (0/1) |
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge |
| 19 September 2015 | Golden Lions | 26–18 | Sharks | Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg | ||
| 14:30 | Try: Lourens Erasmus 60' Courtnall Skosan 65'Con: Marnitz Boshoff 61', 65' (2/2)Pen: Marnitz Boshoff 28', 38', 43', 52' (4/5)Drop: Marnitz Boshoff (0/2) |
Report[64] Scoreboard[65] |
Try: Joe Pietersen 76' Francois Kleinhans 78'Con: Joe Pietersen 79' (1/2)Pen: Joe Pietersen 33', 55' (2/3) |
Referee: Jaco van Heerden |
| 19 September 2015 | Free State Cheetahs | 44–24 | Griquas | Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein | ||
| 15:00 | Try: Raymond Rhule 4' Sergeal Petersen 15', 24' Shaun Venter 51' Zee Mkhabela 76'Con: Fred Zeilinga 5', 16', 25', 52', 77' (5/5)Pen: Fred Zeilinga 40', 48', 69' (3/3) |
Report[66] Scoreboard[67] |
Try: Ruhan Nel 8', 57' Tian Meyer 65'Con: Clinton Swart 9', 58', 66' (3/3)Pen: Clinton Swart 36' (1/1) |
Attendance: 3,580 Referee: AJ Jacobs |
Round Eight
The Golden Lions won their eighth consecutive match in the competition, scoring ten tries as they beat the Free State Cheetahs 73–31 in Bloemfontein. Courtnall Skosan and Jaco Kriel scored two tries each and fly-half Marnitz Boshoff had a faultless kicking performance, converting all ten tries after opening the scoring with his only penalty attempt of the match. A hat-trick by Cheetahs flanker Vince Jobo helped his side get a four-try bonus point to remain in fourth spot on the log, in the final semi-final position. The Blue Bulls remained in second spot on the log as they beat the Sharks 17–13 in Durban, but Western Province drew level on points with the Blue Bulls as both sides secured a semi-final berth. Western Province beat the Pumas 50–19 in Cape Town, with fly-half Robert du Preez scoring two tries and contributing a further 11 points with the boot for Western Province, while the Pumas' Roscko Speckman also scored a brace for his side. In the bottom-of-the-log clash, Eastern Province Kings captain Tim Whitehead scored a try after the hooter – his second of the match – to help his side to a 40–37 victory over Griquas. EP Kings flanker Paul Schoeman also got two tries in the match, as did Griquas winger Danie Dames.[68]
| 25 September 2015 | Sharks | 13–17 | Blue Bulls | Kings Park Stadium, Durban | ||
| 20:00 | Try: Garth April 58' Con: Joe Pietersen 59' (1/1)Pen: Joe Pietersen 18', 23' (2/3)Cards: Mzamo Majola 82' |
Report[69] Scoreboard[70] |
Try: Jamba Ulengo 39' Deon Stegmann 56'Con: Tian Schoeman 40', 56' (2/2)Pen: Tian Schoeman 31' (1/2) |
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen |
| 26 September 2015 | Free State Cheetahs | 31–73 | Golden Lions | Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein | ||
| 13:15 | Try: Sergeal Petersen 12' Vince Jobo 32', 44', 50' Francois Venter 74'Con: Sias Ebersohn 45', 51' (2/4) Fred Zeilinga 75' (1/1) |
Report[71] Scoreboard[72] |
Try: Courtnall Skosan 8', 15' Stephan de Wit 19' Jaco Kriel 28', 64' Howard Mnisi 41' Warren Whiteley 57' Jaco van der Walt 71' Kwagga Smith 79' Anthony Volmink 81'Con: Marnitz Boshoff 9', 16', 20', 29', 42', 58', 65', 72', 79', 82' (10/10)Pen: Marnitz Boshoff 5' (1/1)Cards: Warren Whiteley 40' to 51' |
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge |
| 26 September 2015 | Western Province | 50–19 | Pumas | Newlands Stadium, Cape Town | ||
| 15:00 | Try: Nizaam Carr 9' Jano Vermaak 33' Kobus van Wyk 42' Robert du Preez 50', 60' Jurie van Vuuren 66' Alistair Vermaak 79'Con: Robert du Preez 34', 43', 51', 61' (4/5) Demetri Catrakilis 67', 80' (2/2)Pen: Robert du Preez 39' (1/1)Cards: Johnny Kôtze 23' to 34' |
Report[73] Scoreboard[74] |
Try: Roscko Speckman 12', 35' Vincent Koch 24'Con: Justin van Staden 25', 36' (2/3)Pen: Justin van Staden (0/1) |
Referee: Rodney Boneparte |
| 26 September 2015 | Eastern Province Kings | 40–37 | Griquas | Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth | ||
| 15:30 | Try: Luther Obi 34' Paul Schoeman 39', 50' Tim Whitehead 57', 80'Con: Scott van Breda 40', 58', 81' (3/5)Pen: Scott van Breda 2', 22', 27' (3/3) |
Report[75] Scoreboard[76] |
Try: Danie Dames 4', 37' Clinton Swart 24' Carel Greeff 46' AJ le Roux 68'Con: Clinton Swart 25', 38', 47' (3/5)Pen: Clinton Swart 7', 32' (2/3) |
Referee: Quinton Immelman |
Round Nine
The Golden Lions secured top spot on the log (and home advantage in their semi-final match) after a 62–32 victory over third-placed Western Province. The Golden Lions scored nine tries from nine different try scorers in their victory, while Western Province secured a bonus point for scoring four tries, with Sikhumbuzo Notshe scoring two of those. The Blue Bulls overturned a 17–20 half time deficit to win their match against the Eastern Province Kings 48–27. Francois Hougaard and Lappies Labuschagné each scored two of the Blue Bulls' seven tries as they consolidated second spot on the log. The results in the other two matches ensured that the Round Ten match between the Free State Cheetahs and Sharks would determine the final semi-finalist; the Free State Cheetahs drew 37-all with the Pumas in Nelspruit, outscoring the hosts five tries to four, while the Sharks scored six tries in Kimberley in their 45–20 rout of Griquas, for whom Ruhan Nel scored two tries.[77]
| 2 October 2015 | Golden Lions | 62–32 | Western Province | Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg | ||
| 18:00 | Try: Lourens Erasmus 12' Malcolm Marx 14' Marnitz Boshoff 22' Franco Mostert 30' Howard Mnisi 37' Andries Coetzee 44' Anthony Volmink 51' Kwagga Smith 67' Stokkies Hanekom 77'Con: Marnitz Boshoff 12', 15', 23', 38', 52' (5/7) Jaco van der Walt 68', 78' (2/2)Pen: Marnitz Boshoff 4' (1/1) |
Report[78] Scoreboard[79] |
Try: Sikhumbuzo Notshe 34', 74' Johnny Kôtze 39' Nic Groom 80'Con: Robert du Preez 35', 40', 81' (3/4)Pen: Robert du Preez 6', 11' (2/2) |
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen |
| 2 October 2015 | Blue Bulls | 48–27 | Eastern Province Kings | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | ||
| 19:10 | Try: Lappies Labuschagné 26', 31' Dries Swanepoel 49' Francois Hougaard 55', 65' Ruan Steenkamp 70' Jacques du Plessis 78'Con: Tian Schoeman 27', 32', 50', 56' (4/5) Louis Fouché 79' (1/2)Pen: Tian Schoeman 11' (1/1)Cards: Ruan Steenkamp 73' |
Report[80] Scoreboard[81] |
Try: Tim Whitehead 20' Elgar Watts 38' JP du Plessis 74'Con: Scott van Breda 21', 39', 75' (3/3)Pen: Scott van Breda 7', 35' (2/2)Cards: Edgar Marutlulle 48' to 58' Schalk Ferreira 69' |
Referee: Pro Legoete |
| 3 October 2015 | Pumas | 37–37 | Free State Cheetahs | Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela | ||
| 13:15 | Try: Jaco Bouwer 21' De-Jay Terblanche 57' Marnus Schoeman 68' Rudi Mathee 79'Con: Justin van Staden 22', 58', 70', 80' (4/4)Pen: Justin van Staden 7', 18', 38' (3/3) |
Report[82] Scoreboard[83] |
Try: Sergeal Petersen 31' Oupa Mohojé 33' Francois Venter 40' De Wet Kruger 51' Freddy Ngoza 72'Con: Sias Ebersohn 32', 34', 40' (3/4) Niel Marais (0/1) Pen: Sias Ebersohn 15' (1/1) Niel Marais 75' (1/1)Cards: Rayno Benjamin 21' to 31' 79' |
Referee: Jaco van Heerden |
| 3 October 2015 | Griquas | 20–45 | Sharks | Griqua Park, Kimberley | ||
| 15:00 | Try: Ruhan Nel 5', 80' Sandile Ngcobo 70'Con: Clinton Swart 6' (1/3)Pen: Clinton Swart 26' (1/1) |
Report[84] Scoreboard[85] |
Try: Cobus Reinach 19' Paul Jordaan 23' Francois Kleinhans 33' André Esterhuizen 36' Michael Claassens 55' S'bura Sithole 66'Con: Joe Pietersen 20', 24', 34', 37', 56', 67' (6/6)Pen: Joe Pietersen 18' (1/2)Cards: Paul Jordaan 63' to 72' |
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge |
Round Ten
With three of the semifinalists already confirmed, the winner of the match between the Free State Cheetahs and the Sharks would clinch the final semi-final berth. The Free State Cheetahs led 17–13 at half-time, but the Sharks fought back and had a 34–20 lead by the 75th minute. However, the Free State Cheetahs responded with two late tries of their own, both of which were converted by Niel Marais – the second of those after the final hooter went – to earn themselves a 34-all draw, which was enough to see them remain in fourth spot on the log, with the Sharks remaining in fifth. The Golden Lions – already assured of top spot on the log – beat the bottom side Griquas 29–19 in Johannesburg to complete the regular season with 10 wins out of 10. Jacques Nel scored two tries for the home side as the result guaranteed Griquas would finish bottom. Home advantage in the other semi-final was still up for grabs and the Blue Bulls secured it, with two tries from both Deon Stegmann and Jamba Ulengo helping them to a closely fought 25–24 win over the Pumas in Nelspruit. The Blue Bulls' semi-final opponents, Western Province got a convincing 45–14 victory over the Eastern Province Kings in Cape Town with Dillyn Leyds scoring two of their six tries.[86]
| 9 October 2015 | Pumas | 24–25 | Blue Bulls | Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela | ||
| 18:00 | Try: Marnus Schoeman 4' Roscko Speckman 62' Rudi Mathee 81'Con: Justin van Staden 4', 63' (2/2) Hennie Skorbinski 82' (1/1)Pen: Justin van Staden 47' (1/3) |
Report[87] Scoreboard[88] |
Try: Deon Stegmann 13', 51' Jamba Ulengo 15', 58'Con: Tian Schoeman 60' (1/4)Pen: Tian Schoeman 40' (1/1)Cards: Deon Stegmann 33' to 43' |
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge |
| 9 October 2015 | Western Province | 45–14 | Eastern Province Kings | Newlands Stadium, Cape Town | ||
| 18:00 | Try: Nizaam Carr 2' Juan de Jongh 30' Godlen Masimla 34' Dillyn Leyds 42', 80' Justin Benn 57'Con: Robert du Preez 3', 31', 35', 43' (4/4) Kurt Coleman 58', 81' (2/2)Pen: Robert du Preez 13' (1/1) |
Report[89] Scoreboard[90] |
Try: Enrico Acker 36' Con: Scott van Breda (0/1) Pen: Scott van Breda 8', 17', 28' (3/3) |
Referee: Pro Legoete |
| 10 October 2015 | Free State Cheetahs | 34–34 | Sharks | Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein | ||
| 14:00 | Try: Rayno Benjamin 14', 76' Boom Prinsloo 25' Gerhard Olivier 79'Con: Sias Ebersohn 14', 26' (2/2) Niel Marais 76', 80' (2/2)Pen: Sias Ebersohn 40', 52' (2/7)Cards: Luan de Bruin 61' to 73' |
Report[91] Scoreboard[92] |
Try: Etienne Oosthuizen 18' Cobus Reinach 36' Paul Jordaan 43' Garth April 64'Con: Joe Pietersen 65' (1/3) Cobus Reinach (0/1) Pen: Joe Pietersen 2', 58', 62', 70' (4/5) |
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen |
| 10 October 2015 | Golden Lions | 29–19 | Griquas | Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg | ||
| 16:05 | Try: Sampie Mastriet 12' Kwagga Smith 33' Jacques Nel 64', 80'Con: Jaco van der Walt 13', 34', 81' (3/4)Pen: Jaco van der Walt 62' (1/2) |
Report[93] Scoreboard[94] |
Try: Carel Greeff 9' Tian Meyer 40' Dylon Frylinck 78'Con: Gouws Prinsloo 10', 40' (2/3)Cards: RJ Liebenberg 53' to 63' |
Referee: AJ Jacobs |
Semi-finals
Defending champions Western Province ensured they would play in their fourth consecutive Currie Cup final by beating the Blue Bulls 23–18 in Pretoria. There were no tries scored in the first half, with the Blue Bulls' Tian Schoeman and Western Province's Robert du Preez each kicking three penalties as the teams went into the half-time break at 9-all. Schoeman scored a further three penalties in the second half, but tries from Cheslin Kolbe and Jano Vermaak for the visitors – both converted by Du Preez – secured a spot in the final for the team from Cape Town. The other semi-final was a high-scoring affair, with the Golden Lions beating the Free State Cheetahs 43–33 in Johannesburg. Golden Lions captain Jaco Kriel scored two tries, lock Lourens Erasmus scored one and a 65th minute penalty try completed the Golden Lions' try-scoring, while fly-half Marnitz Boshoff successfully converted the four tries and also kicked all five of his penalty attempts to finish the match with a personal points tally of 23 points. The Free State Cheetahs actually scored one try more than the Golden Lions with Francois Venter, Boom Prinsloo, Gerhard Olivier, Niel Marais and Sias Ebersohn each getting a try, but kicked just 11 points through Marais as the visitors fell just short. The result set up a repeat of the 2014 Currie Cup final between Western Province and Golden Lions, this time to be played at the latter's home ground in Johannesburg.[95]
| 16 October 2015 | Blue Bulls | 18–23 | Western Province | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | ||
| 19:00 | Pen: Tian Schoeman 2', 13', 26', 49', 57', 76' (6/8) Cards: Pierre Schoeman 23' to 35' |
Report[96] Scoreboard[97] |
Try: Cheslin Kolbe 52' Jano Vermaak 71'Con: Robert du Preez 53' (1/1) Kurt Coleman 72' (1/1)Pen: Robert du Preez 15', 24', 30' (3/4)Drop: Cheslin Kolbe (0/1) |
Attendance: 19,428 Referee: Pro Legoete |
| 17 October 2015 | Golden Lions | 43–33 | Free State Cheetahs | Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg | ||
| 13:45 | Try: Jaco Kriel 16', 69' Lourens Erasmus 48' penalty try 65'Con: Marnitz Boshoff 17', 49', 66', 71' (4/4)Pen: Marnitz Boshoff 26', 35', 59', 75', 79' (5/5) |
Report[98] Scoreboard[99] |
Try: Francois Venter 4' Boom Prinsloo 29' Gerhard Olivier 51' Niel Marais 56' Sias Ebersohn 68'Con: Niel Marais 57' (1/4) Sias Ebersohn (0/1) Pen: Niel Marais 20', 23' (2/2)Cards: Boom Prinsloo 65' to 75' Maks van Dyk 72' |
Referee: Jaco van Heerden |
Final
The Golden Lions secured their eleventh Currie Cup title by beating Western Province 32–24 in Johannesburg. They scored two tries in the first quarter of the match through Warren Whiteley and Ross Cronjé – both converted by Marnitz Boshoff to lead 14–0. A Robert du Preez penalty put Western Province on the scoreboard in the 27th minute, but the Golden Lions responded minutes later when Ross Cronjé scored his second try of the match to lead 22–3. Western Province scored a try of their own at the end of the first half, with Robert du Preez scoring and converting the try for a half-time score of 22–10 to the hosts. Just two minutes after the restart, a further try Golden Lions centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg, again converted by Boshoff, stretched their lead to 29–10. Western Province reduced the deficit to eight points by the 63rd minute after scoring tries through Nizaam Carr and Sikhumbuzo Notshe – converted by Du Preez and Kurt Coleman respectively – on either side of a Boshoff penalty for the Golden Lions, but neither team could get on the scoreboard after that and the Golden Lions won the match 32–24 to go through the entire season unbeaten to win their first title since 2011.[100]
| 24 October 2015 | Golden Lions | 32–24 | Western Province | Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg | ||
| 13:45 | Try: Warren Whiteley 14' Ross Cronjé 20', 34' Rohan Janse van Rensburg 42'Con: Marnitz Boshoff 15', 21', 43' (3/4)Pen: Marnitz Boshoff 38', 57' (2/4)Drop: Marnitz Boshoff (0/1) |
Report[100] Scoreboard[101] |
Try: Robert du Preez 40' Nizaam Carr 46' Sikhumbuzo Notshe 62'Con: Robert du Preez 40', 47' (2/2) Kurt Coleman 63' (1/1)Pen: Robert du Preez 27' (1/3)Cards: Chris van Zyl 79' |
Attendance: 44,183 Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge |
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Honours
The honour roll for the 2015 Currie Cup Premier Division was:
| 2015 Currie Cup Premier Division Honours | |
|---|---|
| Champions: | Golden Lions (11th title) |
| Top Try Scorer: | Jamba Ulengo, Blue Bulls (11) |
| Top Points Scorer: | Marnitz Boshoff, Golden Lions (187) |
Players
Summarize
Perspective
Points scorers
The following table contain points which were scored in the 2015 Currie Cup Premier Division:[102]
Appearances
The player appearance record in the 2015 Currie Cup Premier Division is as follows:
For each team, (c) denotes the team captain. For each match, the player's squad number is shown. Starting players are numbered 1 to 15, while the replacements are numbered 16 to 22. If a replacement made an appearance in the match, it is indicated by 
. "App" refers to the number of appearances made by the player, "Try" to the number of tries scored by the player, "Kck" to the number of points scored via kicks (conversions, penalties or drop goals) and "Pts" refer to the total number of points scored by the player.
Discipline
The following table contains all the cards handed out during the tournament:[103]
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Referees
The following referees officiated matches in the 2015 Currie Cup Premier Division:
See also
References
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