As another jam-packed rugby weekend approaches, fans across South Africa are gearing up for four exciting Currie Cup Premier Division clashes.
The stage is set from Friday through Sunday, with teams looking to either bounce back from narrow losses or build on early momentum.
Here’s a full breakdown of the matchups and what to expect from each.
Cheetahs Ready to Rebound Against the Fearless Pumas
The Cheetahs have a score to settle.
After last week’s heartbreaking loss to the Boland Kavaliers—decided after the final hooter—they’ll be eager to bounce back when they host the Pumas at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein this Friday night at 19:00.
But it won’t be easy.
The Pumas, currently sitting third on the table after just one round, made a powerful statement with a convincing win over Griquas.
And while the Cheetahs have a solid track record against the team from Mpumalanga—winning three of the last four head-to-heads, including the 2023 final—the Pumas have had the upper hand in recent SA Cup fixtures, with two victories this year alone.
Lions Look to Roar Again as They Take on Western Province
Saturday kicks off with a sizzling encounter at Ellis Park in Johannesburg where the Lions welcome Western Province for a 15:00 clash.
The Lions will be riding high after utterly dismantling the Sharks by 41 points last weekend.
Western Province, meanwhile, couldn’t quite match the Bulls and will be out to prove a point.
Historically, this fixture has leaned in the Lions’ favour.They’ve won the last two matchups—both home and away.
WP’s last taste of victory against them? That was back in March 2023.
Bulls and Sharks Set for a Loftus Rematch Worth Watching
Later on Saturday, at 17:10, all eyes will turn to Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria where the Bulls face off with the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV These two sides have a history of epic matchups, including last season’s semi-final, which ended 40-40 in regular time.
The Bulls come in as clear favourites after dominating Western Province last week.The Sharks, on the other hand, have a point to prove after getting thumped by the Lions They’ll need a serious step up in performance to stay competitive in this one.
Griquas Hope to Continue Their Strong Run Against Boland Kavaliers
Sunday’s final match of the weekend takes us to Kimberley, where Griquas will go head-to-head with the Boland Kavaliers at 15:00.Griquas have historically had the upper hand in this matchup, winning both of their last SA Cup encounters against Boland.
That said, Kavaliers coach Hawies Fourie will be optimistic His side pulled off a gutsy win over the Cheetahs last week and is showing signs of real improvement.Expect a gritty battle in the Northern Cape.
When and Where to Watch This Weekend’s Fixtures
All four games will be broadcast live on the SuperSport Rugby channel.
Here’s the schedule at a glance:
Friday, 1 August
Cheetahs vs Pumas
Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 19:00
Referee: Hanru van Rooyen
Saturday, 2 August
Lions vs Western Province
Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 15:00
Referee: Christopher Allison
Bulls vs Hollywoodbets Sharks XV
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 17:10
Referee: Sean Muller
Sunday, 3 August
Griquas vs Boland Kavaliers
Suzuki Stadium, Kimberley
Kick-off: 15:00
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Who Will Come Out on Top?
It’s still early days in the Currie Cup Premier Division, but the intensity is already sky-high. Will the Cheetahs shake off their heartbreak? Can the Lions keep their momentum? Will the Sharks bounce back from that heavy defeat?