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2018 Currie Cup Premier Division
Domestic rugby union competition From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division was the top tier of the 2018 Currie Cup, the 80th edition of the annual South African rugby union competition organised by the South African Rugby Union. It was played between 17 August and 27 October 2018 and featured the same seven teams as in 2017.
The competition was won by the Sharks, who beat Western Province 17–12 in the final played on 27 October 2018.
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Competition rules and information
There were seven participating teams in the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division. They played each other once during the pool stage, either at home or away. Teams received four points for a win and two points for a draw. Bonus points were awarded to teams that scored four or more tries in a game, as well as to teams that lost a match by seven points or less. Teams were ranked by log points, then points difference (points scored less points conceded).
The top four teams in the pool stage qualified for the semifinals, which were followed by a final.[1]
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Teams
The teams that played in the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division are:[2]
Location of teams in the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division
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Pool stage
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Standings
The final log for the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division was:[3]
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 a team's progression throughout the season. For each round, each team's cumulative points total is shown with the overall log position in brackets.
Matches
The following matches were played in the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division:[4]
Round One
The 2018 Currie Cup kicked off with a match between the two teams that finished in the bottom two spots in 2017; the Pumas and Griquas in Nelspruit. The Pumas won the match 42–19, with fly-half Chris Smith having a Currie Cup debut to remember, scoring 22 points in his side's victory. In the other match, the Blue Bulls beat the Free State Cheetahs 34–12 in Bloemfontein, with their fly-half Manie Libbok scoring 17 points, including his team's opening try.[5]
17 August 2018 | Pumas | 42–19 | Griquas | Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela | ||
17:00 | Try: Hennie Skorbinski ![]() Stefan Ungerer ![]() Chris Smith ![]() Neil Maritz ![]() Marnus Schoeman ![]() Con: Chris Smith ![]() Pen: Chris Smith ![]() |
Scoreboard[6] | Try: AJ Coertzen ![]() Christiaan Meyer ![]() Conway Pretorius ![]() Con: George Whitehead ![]() Cards: Liam Hendricks ![]() |
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge |
17 August 2018 | Free State Cheetahs | 12–34 | Blue Bulls | Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein | ||
19:00 | Try: Joseph Dweba ![]() Shaun Venter ![]() Con: Tian Schoeman ![]() Cards: Ox Nché ![]() Justin Basson ![]() |
Scoreboard[7] | Try: Manie Libbok ![]() penalty try ![]() Jade Stighling ![]() Divan Rossouw ![]() Con: Manie Libbok ![]() Pen: Manie Libbok ![]() |
Referee: Dan Jones |
Bye/s: Golden Lions, Sharks, Western Province |
Round Two
The three teams that has byes in Round One all secured home victories in Round Two. Defending champions Western Province got their title defense underway with a 32–0 victory over the Free State Cheetahs, while the Sharks beat the Blue Bulls 26–10 in Durban; both teams scored four tries in their victories to secure a bonus point. The highest-scoring match of the round was the Friday evening match between the Golden Lions and Griquas, with the team from Johannesburg winning 62–41. Winger Courtnall Skosan scored a hat-trick and Hacjivah Dayimani got a brace as the Golden Lions ran in nine tries, with fly-half Shaun Reynolds kicking 17 points. Griquas fly-half George Whitehead scored 16 points for the losing team, who scored five tries of their own.[8]
24 August 2018 | Golden Lions | 62–41 | Griquas | Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg | ||
19:00 | Try: Hacjivah Dayimani ![]() Ross Cronjé ![]() Courtnall Skosan ![]() Sylvian Mahuza ![]() Len Massyn ![]() Wandisile Simelane ![]() Con: Shaun Reynolds ![]() Pen: Shaun Reynolds ![]() |
Scoreboard[9] | Try: André Swarts ![]() Khwezi Mkhafu ![]() Wilmar Arnoldi ![]() Kyle Steyn ![]() AJ Coertzen ![]() Con: George Whitehead ![]() Pen: George Whitehead ![]() Cards: Wendal Wehr ![]() |
Referee: Egon Seconds |
25 August 2018 | Sharks | 26–10 | Blue Bulls | Kings Park Stadium, Durban | ||
15:00 | Try: Juan Schoeman ![]() Curwin Bosch ![]() Kobus van Wyk ![]() Aphelele Fassi ![]() Con: Robert du Preez ![]() |
Scoreboard[10] | Try: Jesse Kriel ![]() Con: Manie Libbok ![]() Pen: Manie Libbok ![]() |
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen |
25 August 2018 | Western Province | 32–0 | Free State Cheetahs | Newlands Stadium, Cape Town | ||
17:15 | Try: Ruhan Nel ![]() Juarno Augustus ![]() Scarra Ntubeni ![]() JD Schickerling ![]() Con: SP Marais ![]() Pen: SP Marais ![]() Cards: Juarno Augustus ![]() |
Scoreboard[11] | Referee: AJ Jacobs |
Bye/s: Pumas |
Round Three
Round Three saw the Golden Lions, Sharks and Western Province all winning their away games to make it two wins out of two. Western Province remain top on points differential after a 57–28 victory over the Pumas, with Sergeal Petersen scoring two of his side's eight tries, and winger SP Marais contributing 22 points through one try, seven conversions and a penalty. The other two matches were closer affairs, with both home teams getting a bonus point for a loss by less than seven points; Louis Fouché scored two tries and 17 points in the Free State Cheetahs' 29–33 loss to a Sharks side for whom captain Chiliboy Ralepelle also scored a brace, while Ruan Steenkamp had a memorable match for the Blue Bulls, scoring a hat-trick before getting sin-binned, but ended on the losing side against the Golden Lions, whose eighth man Hacjivah Dayimani scored two tries to secure a 38–35 win for the team from Johannesburg in the trans-Jukskei derby.[12]
31 August 2018 | Pumas | 28–57 | Western Province | Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela | ||
18:30 | Try: JP Lewis ![]() Le Roux Roets ![]() Trompie Pretorius ![]() Chris Smith ![]() Con: Chris Smith ![]() |
Scoreboard[13] | Try: Kobus van Dyk ![]() Sergeal Petersen ![]() Ruhan Nel ![]() SP Marais ![]() Ernst van Rhyn ![]() Sikhumbuzo Notshe ![]() Herschel Jantjies ![]() Con: SP Marais ![]() Pen: SP Marais ![]() |
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen |
1 September 2018 | Free State Cheetahs | 29–33 | Sharks | Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein | ||
14:00 | Try: Louis Fouché ![]() Lloyd Greeff ![]() penalty try ![]() Con: Louis Fouché ![]() Pen: Louis Fouché ![]() |
Scoreboard[14] | Try: Lwazi Mvovo ![]() Chiliboy Ralepelle ![]() Wian Vosloo ![]() Dan du Preez ![]() Con: Robert du Preez ![]() Curwin Bosch ![]() Cards: Khutha Mchunu ![]() |
Referee: Jaco Peyper |
1 September 2018 | Blue Bulls | 35–38 | Golden Lions | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | ||
16:05 | Try: André Warner ![]() Ruan Steenkamp ![]() Johnny Kôtze ![]() Con: Manie Libbok ![]() Cards: Ruan Steenkamp ![]() |
Scoreboard[15] | Try: Shaun Reynolds ![]() James Venter ![]() Dillon Smit ![]() Hacjivah Dayimani ![]() Con: Shaun Reynolds ![]() Pen: Shaun Reynolds ![]() |
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge |
Bye/s: Griquas |
Round Four
The Golden Lions and the Sharks both maintained their perfect record, making it three bonus point wins out of three. The Sharks secured a 28–12 victory over the Pumas in the Friday night game, while the Golden Lions scored seven tries in a 47–14 victory over the Free State Cheetahs, with fly-half Shaun Reynolds scoring 22 points through two tries and six conversion, with winger Sylvian Mahuza also scoring two tries. The highest-scoring game of the weekend saw the Blue Bulls move up to third after a 45–40 victory over Griquas. Two tries from Griquas centre André Swarts was not enough as the side from Pretoria scored seven tries to secure the win. A bye weekend saw Western Province drop from first to fourth on the log.[16]
7 September 2018 | Sharks | 28–12 | Pumas | Kings Park Stadium, Durban | ||
19:00 | Try: Jeremy Ward ![]() Johan Deysel ![]() Aphelele Fassi ![]() Curwin Bosch ![]() Con: Robert du Preez ![]() |
Scoreboard[17] | Try: Ruwellyn Isbell ![]() Le Roux Roets ![]() Con: Chris Smith ![]() |
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni |
8 September 2018 | Griquas | 40–45 | Blue Bulls | Griqua Park, Kimberley | ||
14:15 | Try: NJ Oosthuizen ![]() André Swarts ![]() penalty try ![]() Eital Bredenkamp ![]() AJ Coertzen ![]() Con: George Whitehead ![]() Cards: Pieter Jansen van Vuren ![]() |
Scoreboard[18] Report | Try: André Warner ![]() Franco Naudé ![]() Jaco Visagie ![]() JT Jackson ![]() Edgar Marutlulle ![]() Jano Venter ![]() Ivan van Zyl ![]() Con: Manie Libbok ![]() Cards: Duncan Matthews ![]() Jaco Visagie ![]() |
Referee: Egon Seconds |
8 September 2018 | Golden Lions | 47–14 | Free State Cheetahs | Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg | ||
16:20 | Try: Sylvian Mahuza ![]() Shaun Reynolds ![]() Marvin Orie ![]() Howard Mnisi ![]() Hacjivah Dayimani ![]() Con: Shaun Reynolds ![]() |
Scoreboard[19] | Try: Louis Fouché ![]() Rudy Paige ![]() Con: Louis Fouché ![]() |
Referee: AJ Jacobs |
Bye/s: Western Province |
Round Five
In the biggest match of the weekend, two previously-unbeaten sides in the Golden Lions and Western Province met in Johannesburg. The side from Cape Town secured a 65–38 win, scoring nine tries in the process with Dillyn Leyds and Sergeal Petersen scoring two each, while SP Marais contributed 25 of his side's points through one try, seven conversions and two penalties. The result saw Western Province move up to third on the log, one place behind the Golden Lions. The Blue Bulls moved to the top of the log following a 39–29 win over the Pumas in Pretoria, with Jade Stighling contributing two tries. In the weekend's other match, 17 points from George Whitehead and two tries from lock FP Pelser saw Griquas move up to fifth spot by beating the Free State Cheetahs 52–24, a result which confirmed that the team from Bloemfontein won't take part in the semifinals.[20]
14 September 2018 | Blue Bulls | 39–29 | Pumas | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | ||
19:00 | Try: Hanro Liebenberg ![]() Jade Stighling ![]() Dayan van der Westhuizen ![]() Ivan van Zyl ![]() Jano Venter ![]() Con: Manie Libbok ![]() Pen: Manie Libbok ![]() Cards: Johnny Kôtze ![]() |
Scoreboard[21] | Try: Marnus Schoeman ![]() Marko Janse van Rensburg ![]() Neil Maritz ![]() Morné Joubert ![]() Con: Chris Smith ![]() Pen: Chris Smith ![]() |
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge |
15 September 2018 | Golden Lions | 38–65 | Western Province | Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg | ||
15:00 | Try: James Venter ![]() penalty try ![]() Pieter Jansen ![]() Hacjivah Dayimani ![]() Len Massyn ![]() Con: Shaun Reynolds ![]() Pen: Shaun Reynolds ![]() |
Scoreboard[22] | Try: Dillyn Leyds ![]() Sergeal Petersen ![]() Joshua Stander ![]() SP Marais ![]() Juarno Augustus ![]() JD Schickerling ![]() Daniël du Plessis ![]() Con: SP Marais ![]() Pen: SP Marais ![]() Cards: Ernst van Rhyn ![]() |
Referee: Jaco Peyper |
15 September 2018 | Griquas | 52–24 | Free State Cheetahs | Griqua Park, Kimberley | ||
17:15 | Try: Ederies Arendse ![]() FP Pelser ![]() Enver Brandt ![]() AJ le Roux ![]() Kyle Steyn ![]() Zak Burger ![]() Con: George Whitehead ![]() Pen: George Whitehead ![]() |
Scoreboard[23] | Try: Ali Mgijima ![]() Carel-Jan Coetzee ![]() Con: Ernst Stapelberg ![]() Pen: Ernst Stapelberg ![]() |
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen |
Bye/s: Sharks |
Round Six
The Sharks and Western Province both maintained their perfect starts to the season, each winning their fourth consecutive match ahead of their meeting in Round Seven. Western Province secured a 38–12 victory over Griquas, with wing Sergeal Petersen scoring two of his side's six tries to move joint-top of the try-scoring charts. Loose-forward Dan du Preez also scored a brace, for the Sharks in their 37–21 victory over a Golden Lions side that lost their second match in a row, with Sharks fly-half Robert du Preez scoring 17 points with the boot. In the other match of the weekend, Ryan Nell scored two tries as the Pumas picked up their second win of the season, beating the Free State Cheetahs 42–14 to condemn the team from Bloemfontein to a winless season, having lost all six of their matches. The Sharks and Western Province mathematically assured their semifinal berths, while the Blue Bulls, Golden Lions and Pumas remained in the race for the other two spots.[24]
21 September 2018 | Free State Cheetahs | 14–42 | Pumas | Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein | ||
17:00 | Try: Rudy Paige ![]() Abongile Nonkontwana ![]() Con: Ernst Stapelberg ![]() Adriaan Carelse ![]() |
Scoreboard[25] | Try: Ryan Nell ![]() Morné Joubert ![]() Neil Maritz ![]() Marnus Schoeman ![]() Simon Westraadt ![]() Con: Chris Smith ![]() Kobus Marais ![]() |
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni |
22 September 2018 | Sharks | 37–21 | Golden Lions | Kings Park Stadium, Durban | ||
17:15 | Try: Dan du Preez ![]() Louis Schreuder ![]() Luke Stringer ![]() Con: Robert du Preez ![]() Pen: Robert du Preez ![]() |
Scoreboard[26] | Try: Sylvian Mahuza ![]() James Venter ![]() Wandisile Simelane ![]() Con: Shaun Reynolds ![]() Andries Coetzee ![]() Cards: Marvin Orie ![]() |
Referee: Egon Seconds |
22 September 2018 | Western Province | 38–12 | Griquas | Newlands Stadium, Cape Town | ||
19:30 | Try: Joshua Stander ![]() Sergeal Petersen ![]() Herschel Jantjies ![]() Juarno Augustus ![]() JJ Engelbrecht ![]() Con: Joshua Stander ![]() |
Scoreboard[27] | Try: Kyle Steyn ![]() AJ Coertzen ![]() Con: George Whitehead ![]() Cards: Conway Pretorius ![]() |
Referee: AJ Jacobs |
Bye/s: Blue Bulls |
Round Seven
The only match of the round saw the top two sides, the Sharks and Western Province meet in Cape Town. The home side won the match 50–28 with SP Marais contributing 20 of his side's points, securing a home semi-final in the process.[28]
29 September 2018 | Western Province | 50–28 | Sharks | Newlands Stadium, Cape Town | ||
14:00 | Try: Jaco Coetzee ![]() Ruhan Nel ![]() Dillyn Leyds ![]() Sergeal Petersen ![]() SP Marais ![]() JJ Engelbrecht ![]() Chad Solomon ![]() Con: SP Marais ![]() Pen: SP Marais ![]() |
Scoreboard[29] | Try: Marius Louw ![]() Tyler Paul ![]() Gideon Koegelenberg ![]() Aphelele Fassi ![]() Con: Robert du Preez ![]() |
Referee: Ben Crouse |
Bye/s: Blue Bulls, Free State Cheetahs, Golden Lions, Griquas, Pumas |
Round Eight
Round Eight saw a full round of three matches being played, with the first of these finalising the semifinal lineup; the Golden Lions beat the Pumas 33–21 in Mbombela — with both Corné Fourie and Courtnall Skosan scoring a brace of tries — to end the latter's involvement in the competition and ensuring the Golden Lions and the Blue Bulls advanced to the knockout stage. The Sharks clinched a home semifinal by easily beating Griquas in Kimberley, with wingers Lwazi Mvovo and Leolin Zas each scoring two tries in a 41–11 win. The final match of the round between the Blue Bulls and Western Province lasted just 40 minutes; after a delayed start in the match due to lightning, some play was possible before the match was abandoned at half-time due to ever-worsening weather conditions. Western Province were leading 34–7, and this was declared the final result of the match following the abandonment.[30]
12 October 2018 | Pumas | 21–33 | Golden Lions | Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela | ||
19:00 | Try: Devon Williams ![]() Francois Kleinhans ![]() Ryan Nell ![]() Con: Chris Smith ![]() Kobus Marais ![]() Cards: Francois Kleinhans ![]() |
Scoreboard[31] | Try: Lionel Mapoe ![]() Corné Fourie ![]() Courtnall Skosan ![]() Con: Elton Jantjies ![]() Cards: Howard Mnisi ![]() |
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge |
13 October 2018 | Griquas | 11–41 | Sharks | Griqua Park, Kimberley | ||
15:00 | Try: Kyle Steyn ![]() Pen: George Whitehead ![]() |
Scoreboard[32] | Try: Jeremy Ward ![]() Lwazi Mvovo ![]() Akker van der Merwe ![]() Leolin Zas ![]() S'busiso Nkosi ![]() Con: Curwin Bosch ![]() |
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen |
13 October 2018 | Blue Bulls | 7–34 (abd.) | Western Province | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | ||
17:15 | Try: Ruan Steenkamp ![]() Con: Tinus de Beer ![]() Cards: Matthys Basson ![]() |
Scoreboard[33] | Try: penalty try ![]() Kobus van Dyk ![]() Sergeal Petersen ![]() Jaco Coetzee ![]() Con: SP Marais ![]() Pen: SP Marais ![]() |
Referee: Egon Seconds |
Bye/s: Free State Cheetahs |
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Play-offs
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Title play-offs
Semifinals
The semifinal matches went according to form, with the top two teams from the pool stage and home semifinalists Sharks and Western Province both winning. Dan du Preez and S'busiso Nkosi each scored two tries in the Sharks' 33–24 victory over the Golden Lions, for whom Courtnall Skosan also scored a brace. Western Province and the Blue Bulls met for the second week in a row, but unlike the Round Eight match that saw Western Province win in a 40-minute match, this encounter finished 32–all during normal time, with the Blue Bulls' Dylan Sage scoring a try after the final hooter to level the scores and send the match into extra time. Western Province recovered and retained their lead to win 35–32 after extra time, thanks to a penalty from SP Marais, who scored 30 of his side's points in the victory.[34]
20 October 2018 | Sharks | 33–24 | Golden Lions | Kings Park Stadium, Durban | ||
14:30 | Try: Dan du Preez ![]() S'busiso Nkosi ![]() Con: Robert du Preez ![]() Pen: Robert du Preez ![]() |
Scoreboard[35] | Try: Nic Groom ![]() Courtnall Skosan ![]() Con: Elton Jantjies ![]() Pen: Elton Jantjies ![]() |
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen |
20 October 2018 | Western Province | 35–32 (a.e.t.) | Blue Bulls | Newlands Stadium, Cape Town | ||
17:00 | Try: SP Marais ![]() Paul de Wet ![]() Con: SP Marais ![]() Pen: SP Marais ![]() |
Scoreboard[36] | Try: Ruan Steenkamp ![]() Duncan Matthews ![]() Manie Libbok ![]() Dylan Sage ![]() Con: Manie Libbok ![]() Pen: Manie Libbok ![]() |
Referee: Egon Seconds |
Final
The Sharks won their first title since 2013 after beating Western Province 17–12 in Cape Town. The only points in the first half came from the boot of Western Province kicker SP Marais, who slotted penalties in the 19th and 35th minutes to secure a 6–0 half-time lead for the home side. A try for Sharks hooker Akker van der Merwe, converted by fly-half Robert du Preez, saw the Sharks take a 7–6 lead shortly after the interval. A Marais penalty in the 49th minute restored Western Province's lead, but Du Preez responded in kind two minutes later to restore the Sharks' lead. The decisive score came in the 70th minute, when Sharks flank Tyler Paul scored a try — again converted by Du Preez — to make the scoreline 17–9. A penalty from Damian Willemse wasn't enough for the home side, and the Sharks secured the eighth Currie Cup title in their history.[34]
27 October 2018 | Western Province | 12–17 | Sharks | Newlands Stadium, Cape Town | ||
16:00 | Pen: SP Marais ![]() Damian Willemse ![]() |
Scoreboard[37] | Try: Akker van der Merwe ![]() Tyler Paul ![]() Con: Robert du Preez ![]() Pen: Robert du Preez ![]() |
Referee: Jaco Peyper |
Relegation play-off
30 October 2018 | Free State Cheetahs | 36–5 | SWD Eagles | Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein | ||
18:00 | Try: Penalty try 12' Rabz Maxwane 18' c Tian Schoeman 20' m Louis Fouché 54' c William Small-Smith 63' m, 78' m Con: Louis Fouché 20', 55' |
Scoreboard[38] | Try: Vuyo Mbotho 60' m Cards: Vukile Sofisa ![]() |
Referee: Jaco Peyper |
- Free State Cheetahs remained in the Currie Cup Premier Division for 2019.
- SWD Eagles remained in the Currie Cup First Division for 2019.
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Honours
The honour roll for the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division was as follows:
2018 Currie Cup Premier Division | |
---|---|
Champions: | Sharks (8th title) |
Top points scorer: | SP Marais, Western Province (130) |
Top try scorer: | Sergeal Petersen, Western Province (8) |
Players
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The squads and player appearance and scoring statistics for the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division are as follows:
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Referees
The following referees officiated matches in the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division:
See also
References
External links
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