2018 Currie Cup Premier Division

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2018 Currie Cup Premier Division
CountriesSouth Africa
Date17 August – 27 October 2018
ChampionsSharks (8th title)
Runners-upWestern Province
Matches played24
Tries scored200
(average 8.3 per match)
Top point scorerSP Marais
(Western Province, 130)
Top try scorerSergeal Petersen
(Western Province, 8)
← 2017
2019 →
South African Rugby 2018

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.

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]

Teams

The teams that played in the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division are:[2]

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Location of teams in the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division
2018 Currie Cup Premier Division teams
Team Sponsored Name Stadium/s Sponsored Name
Blue Bulls Vodacom Blue Bulls Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria Loftus Versfeld
Free State Cheetahs Toyota Free State Cheetahs Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein Toyota Stadium
Golden Lions Xerox Golden Lions Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg Emirates Airline Park
Griquas Tafel Lager Griquas Griqua Park, Kimberley Tafel Lager Park
Pumas iCollege Pumas Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela Mbombela Stadium
Sharks Cell C Sharks Kings Park Stadium, Durban Jonsson Kings Park
Western Province DHL Western Province Newlands Stadium, Cape Town DHL Newlands

Pool stage

Standings

The final log for the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division was:[3]

2018 Currie Cup Premier Division log
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Western Province 6 6 0 0 276 113 +163 38 16 0 0 24 Semifinals
2 Sharks 6 5 0 1 193 133 +60 28 18 0 0 20
3 Golden Lions 6 4 0 2 239 213 +26 34 28 0 0 16
4 Blue Bulls 6 3 0 3 170 179 −9 24 25 0 0 12
5 Pumas 6 2 0 4 174 190 −16 24 28 0 0 8
6 Griquas 6 1 0 5 175 252 −77 24 37 0 0 4
7 Free State Cheetahs 6 0 0 6 93 240 −147 13 33 0 0 0 Relegation play-off
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

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.

Team Progression – 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division
Team R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 SF F
Western Province 0
(3rd) 		5
(1st) 		10
(1st) 		10
(4th) 		15
(3rd) 		20
(1st) 		25
(1st) 		30
(1st) 		Won Lost
Sharks 0
(3rd) 		5
(4th) 		10
(3rd) 		15
(2nd) 		15
(4th) 		20
(2nd) 		21
(2nd) 		26
(2nd) 		Won Won
Golden Lions 0
(3rd) 		5
(3rd) 		10
(2nd) 		15
(1st) 		16
(2nd) 		16
(4th) 		16
(4th) 		21
(3rd) 		Lost —
Blue Bulls 5
(2nd) 		5
(5th) 		7
(4th) 		12
(3rd) 		17
(1st) 		17
(3rd) 		17
(3rd) 		17
(4th) 		Lost —
Pumas 5
(1st) 		5
(2nd) 		6
(5th) 		6
(5th) 		7
(6th) 		12
(5th) 		12
(5th) 		12
(5th) 		— —
Griquas 0
(7th) 		1
(6th) 		1
(7th) 		3
(6th) 		8
(5th) 		8
(6th) 		8
(6th) 		8
(6th) 		— —
Free State Cheetahs 0
(6th) 		0
(7th) 		2
(6th) 		2
(7th) 		2
(7th) 		2
(7th) 		2
(7th) 		2
(7th) 		— —
Key: win draw loss bye

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 rugby ball 27'
Stefan Ungerer rugby ball 41'
Chris Smith rugby ball 55'
Neil Maritz rugby ball 57'
Marnus Schoeman rugby ball 61'
Con: Chris Smith rugby goalposts icon 28', 42', 56', 62'
Pen: Chris Smith rugby goalposts icon 9', 21', 47' 		Scoreboard[6] Try: AJ Coertzen rugby ball 31'
Christiaan Meyer rugby ball 69'
Conway Pretorius rugby ball 71'
Con: George Whitehead rugby goalposts icon 31', 72'
Cards: Liam Hendricks Yellow card 60' 		Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge


17 August 2018 Free State Cheetahs 12–34 Blue Bulls Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein  
19:00 Try: Joseph Dweba rugby ball 2'
Shaun Venter rugby ball 42'
Con: Tian Schoeman rugby goalposts icon 3'
Cards: Ox Nché yellow card 15' to 25'
Justin Basson yellow card 54' to 64' 		Scoreboard[7] Try: Manie Libbok rugby ball 13'
penalty try rugby ball 54'
Jade Stighling rugby ball 60'
Divan Rossouw rugby ball 79'
Con: Manie Libbok rugby goalposts icon 13', 61', 80'
Pen: Manie Libbok rugby goalposts icon 50', 66' 		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 rugby ball 5', 71'
Ross Cronjé rugby ball 23'
Courtnall Skosan rugby ball 29', 58', 77'
Sylvian Mahuza rugby ball 44'
Len Massyn rugby ball 47'
Wandisile Simelane rugby ball 66'
Con: Shaun Reynolds rugby goalposts icon 7', 24', 44', 48', 60', 68', 79'
Pen: Shaun Reynolds rugby goalposts icon 43' 		Scoreboard[9] Try: André Swarts rugby ball 14'
Khwezi Mkhafu rugby ball 31'
Wilmar Arnoldi rugby ball 63'
Kyle Steyn rugby ball 69'
AJ Coertzen rugby ball 75'
Con: George Whitehead rugby goalposts icon 14', 32', 64', 69', 75'
Pen: George Whitehead rugby goalposts icon 1', 36'
Cards: Wendal Wehr yellow card 40' to 50' 		Referee: Egon Seconds


25 August 2018 Sharks 26–10 Blue Bulls Kings Park Stadium, Durban  
15:00 Try: Juan Schoeman rugby ball 5'
Curwin Bosch rugby ball 21'
Kobus van Wyk rugby ball 37'
Aphelele Fassi rugby ball 63'
Con: Robert du Preez rugby goalposts icon 6', 23', 39' 		Scoreboard[10] Try: Jesse Kriel rugby ball 15'
Con: Manie Libbok rugby goalposts icon 16'
Pen: Manie Libbok rugby goalposts icon 10' 		Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen


25 August 2018 Western Province 32–0 Free State Cheetahs Newlands Stadium, Cape Town  
17:15 Try: Ruhan Nel rugby ball 40'
Juarno Augustus rugby ball 46'
Scarra Ntubeni rugby ball 52'
JD Schickerling rugby ball 60'
Con: SP Marais rugby goalposts icon 40', 47', 61'
Pen: SP Marais rugby goalposts icon 8', 21'
Cards: Juarno Augustus yellow card 4' to 15' 		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 rugby ball 30'
Le Roux Roets rugby ball 34'
Trompie Pretorius rugby ball 71'
Chris Smith rugby ball 73'
Con: Chris Smith rugby goalposts icon 32', 35', 72', 74' 		Scoreboard[13] Try: Kobus van Dyk rugby ball 6'
Sergeal Petersen rugby ball 14', 61'
Ruhan Nel rugby ball 20'
SP Marais rugby ball 26'
Ernst van Rhyn rugby ball 50'
Sikhumbuzo Notshe rugby ball 54'
Herschel Jantjies rugby ball 75'
Con: SP Marais rugby goalposts icon 7', 15', 21', 51', 56', 62', 76'
Pen: SP Marais rugby goalposts icon 40' 		Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen


1 September 2018 Free State Cheetahs 29–33 Sharks Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein  
14:00 Try: Louis Fouché rugby ball 24', 55'
Lloyd Greeff rugby ball 28'
penalty try rugby ball 77'
Con: Louis Fouché rugby goalposts icon 25', 56'
Pen: Louis Fouché rugby goalposts icon 37' 		Scoreboard[14] Try: Lwazi Mvovo rugby ball 13'
Chiliboy Ralepelle rugby ball 35', 43'
Wian Vosloo rugby ball 40'
Dan du Preez rugby ball 67'
Con: Robert du Preez rugby goalposts icon 14', 40', 45'
Curwin Bosch rugby goalposts icon 68'
Cards: Khutha Mchunu Yellow card 77' 		Referee: Jaco Peyper


1 September 2018 Blue Bulls 35–38 Golden Lions Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria  
16:05 Try: André Warner rugby ball 6'
Ruan Steenkamp rugby ball 13', 40', 50'
Johnny Kôtze rugby ball 28'
Con: Manie Libbok rugby goalposts icon 6', 14', 29', 40', 51'
Cards: Ruan Steenkamp yellow card 53' to 64' 		Scoreboard[15] Try: Shaun Reynolds rugby ball 4'
James Venter rugby ball 22'
Dillon Smit rugby ball 36'
Hacjivah Dayimani rugby ball 64', 69'
Con: Shaun Reynolds rugby goalposts icon 5', 23', 37', 65', 70'
Pen: Shaun Reynolds rugby goalposts icon 43' 		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 rugby ball 20'
Johan Deysel rugby ball 50'
Aphelele Fassi rugby ball 55'
Curwin Bosch rugby ball 58'
Con: Robert du Preez rugby goalposts icon 20', 51', 56', 60' 		Scoreboard[17] Try: Ruwellyn Isbell rugby ball 36'
Le Roux Roets rugby ball 39'
Con: Chris Smith rugby goalposts icon 40' 		Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni


8 September 2018 Griquas 40–45 Blue Bulls Griqua Park, Kimberley  
14:15 Try: NJ Oosthuizen rugby ball 15'
André Swarts rugby ball 35', 48'
penalty try rugby ball 40'
Eital Bredenkamp rugby ball 45'
AJ Coertzen rugby ball 74'
Con: George Whitehead rugby goalposts icon 16', 36', 46', 49'
Cards: Pieter Jansen van Vuren yellow card 54' to 64' 		Scoreboard[18] Try: André Warner rugby ball 5'
Franco Naudé rugby ball 19'
Jaco Visagie rugby ball 22'
JT Jackson rugby ball 25'
Edgar Marutlulle rugby ball 55'
Jano Venter rugby ball 63'
Ivan van Zyl rugby ball 65'
Con: Manie Libbok rugby goalposts icon 6', 20', 23', 26', 64'
Cards: Duncan Matthews yellow card 40' to 51'
Jaco Visagie yellow card 47' to 53' 		Referee: Egon Seconds


8 September 2018 Golden Lions 47–14 Free State Cheetahs Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg  
16:20 Try: Sylvian Mahuza rugby ball 6', 18'
Shaun Reynolds rugby ball 14', 32'
Marvin Orie rugby ball 27'
Howard Mnisi rugby ball 74'
Hacjivah Dayimani rugby ball 78'
Con: Shaun Reynolds rugby goalposts icon 8', 15', 28', 33', 74', 79' 		Scoreboard[19] Try: Louis Fouché rugby ball 49'
Rudy Paige rugby ball 59'
Con: Louis Fouché rugby goalposts icon 50', 60' 		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 rugby ball 8'
Jade Stighling rugby ball 11', 33'
Dayan van der Westhuizen rugby ball 21'
Ivan van Zyl rugby ball 53'
Jano Venter rugby ball 75'
Con: Manie Libbok rugby goalposts icon 9', 12', 54'
Pen: Manie Libbok rugby goalposts icon 38'
Cards: Johnny Kôtze yellow card 14' to 26' 		Scoreboard[21] Try: Marnus Schoeman rugby ball 25'
Marko Janse van Rensburg rugby ball 31'
Neil Maritz rugby ball 61'
Morné Joubert rugby ball 79'
Con: Chris Smith rugby goalposts icon 26', 32', 62'
Pen: Chris Smith rugby goalposts icon 6' 		Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge


15 September 2018 Golden Lions 38–65 Western Province Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg  
15:00 Try: James Venter rugby ball 7'
penalty try rugby ball 52'
Pieter Jansen rugby ball 63'
Hacjivah Dayimani rugby ball 65'
Len Massyn rugby ball 79'
Con: Shaun Reynolds rugby goalposts icon 8', 64', 66', 79'
Pen: Shaun Reynolds rugby goalposts icon 16' 		Scoreboard[22] Try: Dillyn Leyds rugby ball 1', 14'
Sergeal Petersen rugby ball 22', 72'
Joshua Stander rugby ball 27'
SP Marais rugby ball 34'
Juarno Augustus rugby ball 55'
JD Schickerling rugby ball 60'
Daniël du Plessis rugby ball 76'
Con: SP Marais rugby goalposts icon 1', 15', 23', 28', 62', 73', 77'
Pen: SP Marais rugby goalposts icon 3', 12'
Cards: Ernst van Rhyn yellow card 52' to 64' 		Referee: Jaco Peyper


15 September 2018 Griquas 52–24 Free State Cheetahs Griqua Park, Kimberley  
17:15 Try: Ederies Arendse rugby ball 7'
FP Pelser rugby ball 38', 50'
Enver Brandt rugby ball 52'
AJ le Roux rugby ball 60'
Kyle Steyn rugby ball 75'
Zak Burger rugby ball 80'
Con: George Whitehead rugby goalposts icon 8', 39', 51', 54', 61', 76', 80'
Pen: George Whitehead rugby goalposts icon 70' 		Scoreboard[23] Try: Ali Mgijima rugby ball 3'
Carel-Jan Coetzee rugby ball 14', 20'
Con: Ernst Stapelberg rugby goalposts icon 5', 15', 21'
Pen: Ernst Stapelberg rugby goalposts icon 29' 		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 rugby ball 33'
Abongile Nonkontwana rugby ball 63'
Con: Ernst Stapelberg rugby goalposts icon 34'
Adriaan Carelse rugby goalposts icon 64' 		Scoreboard[25] Try: Ryan Nell rugby ball 9', 28'
Morné Joubert rugby ball 16'
Neil Maritz rugby ball 35'
Marnus Schoeman rugby ball 66'
Simon Westraadt rugby ball 73'
Con: Chris Smith rugby goalposts icon 10', 17', 29', 37', 67'
Kobus Marais rugby goalposts icon 74' 		Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni


22 September 2018 Sharks 37–21 Golden Lions Kings Park Stadium, Durban  
17:15 Try: Dan du Preez rugby ball 23', 47'
Louis Schreuder rugby ball 33'
Luke Stringer rugby ball 40'
Con: Robert du Preez rugby goalposts icon 24', 33', 40', 49'
Pen: Robert du Preez rugby goalposts icon 3', 14', 20' 		Scoreboard[26] Try: Sylvian Mahuza rugby ball 7'
James Venter rugby ball 58'
Wandisile Simelane rugby ball 75'
Con: Shaun Reynolds rugby goalposts icon 8', 59'
Andries Coetzee rugby goalposts icon 76'
Cards: Marvin Orie yellow card 38' to 47' 		Referee: Egon Seconds


22 September 2018 Western Province 38–12 Griquas Newlands Stadium, Cape Town  
19:30 Try: Joshua Stander rugby ball 1'
Sergeal Petersen rugby ball 14', 31'
Herschel Jantjies rugby ball 19'
Juarno Augustus rugby ball 24'
JJ Engelbrecht rugby ball 61'
Con: Joshua Stander rugby goalposts icon 2', 15', 20', 25' 		Scoreboard[27] Try: Kyle Steyn rugby ball 36'
AJ Coertzen rugby ball 57'
Con: George Whitehead rugby goalposts icon 38'
Cards: Conway Pretorius yellow card 43' to 53' 		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 rugby ball 4'
Ruhan Nel rugby ball 9'
Dillyn Leyds rugby ball 23'
Sergeal Petersen rugby ball 25'
SP Marais rugby ball 64'
JJ Engelbrecht rugby ball 72'
Chad Solomon rugby ball 79'
Con: SP Marais rugby goalposts icon 5', 11', 24', 27', 73', 80'
Pen: SP Marais rugby goalposts icon 16' 		Scoreboard[29] Try: Marius Louw rugby ball 1'
Tyler Paul rugby ball 32'
Gideon Koegelenberg rugby ball 40'
Aphelele Fassi rugby ball 44'
Con: Robert du Preez rugby goalposts icon 2', 33', 40', 46' 		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 rugby ball 4'
Francois Kleinhans rugby ball 32'
Ryan Nell rugby ball 67'
Con: Chris Smith rugby goalposts icon 5'
Kobus Marais rugby goalposts icon 34', 68'
Cards: Francois Kleinhans yellow card 39' to 49' 		Scoreboard[31] Try: Lionel Mapoe rugby ball 1'
Corné Fourie rugby ball 13', 59'
Courtnall Skosan rugby ball 36', 47'
Con: Elton Jantjies rugby goalposts icon 2', 14', 36', 61'
Cards: Howard Mnisi yellow card 29' to 39' 		Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge


13 October 2018 Griquas 11–41 Sharks Griqua Park, Kimberley  
15:00 Try: Kyle Steyn rugby ball 76'
Pen: George Whitehead rugby goalposts icon 2', 25' 		Scoreboard[32] Try: Jeremy Ward rugby ball 6'
Lwazi Mvovo rugby ball 14', 37'
Akker van der Merwe rugby ball 28'
Leolin Zas rugby ball 44', 62'
S'busiso Nkosi rugby ball 49'
Con: Curwin Bosch rugby goalposts icon 29', 38', 46' 		Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen


13 October 2018 Blue Bulls 7–34 (abd.) Western Province Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria  
17:15 Try: Ruan Steenkamp rugby ball 24'
Con: Tinus de Beer rugby goalposts icon 24'
Cards: Matthys Basson yellow card 15' to 26' 		Scoreboard[33] Try: penalty try rugby ball 15'
Kobus van Dyk rugby ball 31'
Sergeal Petersen rugby ball 33'
Jaco Coetzee rugby ball 39'
Con: SP Marais rugby goalposts icon 31', 33', 40'
Pen: SP Marais rugby goalposts icon 7', 18' 		Referee: Egon Seconds
Bye/s: Free State Cheetahs

Play-offs

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 rugby ball 2', 74'
S'busiso Nkosi rugby ball 20', 41'
Con: Robert du Preez rugby goalposts icon 3', 76'
Pen: Robert du Preez rugby goalposts icon 11', 31', 66' 		Scoreboard[35] Try: Nic Groom rugby ball 55'
Courtnall Skosan rugby ball 62', 69'
Con: Elton Jantjies rugby goalposts icon 56', 63', 70'
Pen: Elton Jantjies rugby goalposts icon 34' 		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 rugby ball 51'
Paul de Wet rugby ball 59'
Con: SP Marais rugby goalposts icon 52', 60'
Pen: SP Marais rugby goalposts icon 9', 14', 30', 36', 40', 62', 94' 		Scoreboard[36] Try: Ruan Steenkamp rugby ball 22'
Duncan Matthews rugby ball 27'
Manie Libbok rugby ball 46'
Dylan Sage rugby ball 80'
Con: Manie Libbok rugby goalposts icon 22', 27', 47'
Pen: Manie Libbok rugby goalposts icon 34', 55' 		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 rugby goalposts icon 19', 35', 49'
Damian Willemse rugby goalposts icon 74' 		Scoreboard[37] Try: Akker van der Merwe rugby ball 43'
Tyler Paul rugby ball 70'
Con: Robert du Preez rugby goalposts icon 46', 71'
Pen: Robert du Preez rugby goalposts icon 51' 		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 yellow card 11' to 22' 		Referee: Jaco Peyper

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

The squads and player appearance and scoring statistics for the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division are as follows:

Referees

The following referees officiated matches in the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division:

See also

References

  1. ^ "Action-packed Currie Cup Premier Division lined up" (Press release). South African Rugby Union. 14 May 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  2. ^ "2018 Currie Cup Premier Division : Teams". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  3. ^ a b "2018 Currie Cup Premier Division : Log". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  4. ^ "2018 Currie Cup Premier Division : Matches". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  5. ^ "Libbok, Smith star in Currie Cup opening round" (Press release). South Africa Rugby Union. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  6. ^ "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 1, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  7. ^ "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 2, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 17 August 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  8. ^ "Winning starts for home teams in Currie Cup" (Press release). South Africa Rugby Union. 26 August 2018. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  9. ^ "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 3, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 24 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  10. ^ "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 4, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  11. ^ "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 5, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  12. ^ "Three teams remain unbeaten in Currie Cup" (Press release). South Africa Rugby Union. 2 September 2018. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  13. ^ "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 6, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  14. ^ "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 7, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 1 September 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  15. ^ "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 8, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 1 September 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  16. ^ "Full house for Lions, Sharks in Currie Cup" (Press release). South Africa Rugby Union. 9 September 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  17. ^ "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 9, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  18. ^ "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 10, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 8 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  19. ^ "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 11, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 8 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  20. ^ "DHL WP lay down massive Currie Cup marker" (Press release). South Africa Rugby Union. 16 September 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  21. ^ "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 12, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 14 September 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  22. ^ "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 13, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 15 September 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  23. ^ "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 14, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 15 September 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  24. ^ "WP, Sharks continue fine Currie Cup form" (Press release). South Africa Rugby Union. 23 September 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  25. ^ "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 15, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 21 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  26. ^ "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 16, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 22 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  27. ^ "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 17, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 22 September 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  28. ^ "DHL WP clinch Currie Cup home semi-final" (Press release). South Africa Rugby Union. 30 September 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  29. ^ "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 18, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 29 September 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  30. ^ "DHL WP, Cell C Sharks to host Currie Cup semis" (Press release). South Africa Rugby Union. 13 September 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  31. ^ "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 19, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 12 October 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  32. ^ "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 20, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 13 October 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  33. ^ "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 21, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 13 October 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  34. ^ a b "DHL WP to host Cell C Sharks in Currie Cup Final" (Press release). South Africa Rugby Union. 21 October 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  35. ^ "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 22, Semi Final". South African Rugby Union. 20 October 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  36. ^ "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 23, Semi Final". South African Rugby Union. 20 October 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  37. ^ "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 24, Final". South African Rugby Union. 27 October 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  38. ^ "Currie Cup Promotion Relegation - Match 1, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 30 October 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  39. ^ "Squad: Vodacom Blue Bulls". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  40. ^ "Squad: Toyota Free State Cheetahs". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  41. ^ "Squad: Xerox Golden Lions". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  42. ^ "Squad: Tafel Lager Griquas". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  43. ^ "Squad: iCollege Pumas". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  44. ^ "Squad: Cell C Sharks". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  45. ^ "Squad: DHL Western Province". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 24 October 2018.

External links

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