Round three of the Carling Currie Cup delivered some thrilling rugby action over the weekend, with the Cell C Sharks edging the Vodacom Bulls in Durban and important wins for the Xerox Lions and DHL Western Province.
 
In the early Saturday afternoon game played in Durban, the Cell C Sharks defeated log leaders Vodacom Bulls 32-29 in an exciting clash, with flyhalf Morné Steyn missing with a late penalty attempt to level the scores.
 
Following last weekend’s win over the DHL Western Province in Johannesburg, the Xerox Lions made it two in a row with their comfortable 39-23 bonus point-win over hosts Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
 
The DHL WP shrugged off two previous losses courtesy of their 28-14 bonus-point triumph over the Phakisa Pumas in Cape Town on Friday night. The Tafel Lager Griquas had a bye this weekend.
 
Despite their three-point loss in Durban, the men from Pretoria still lead the log standings on 33 points from nine outings, although they have played one more game than the second placed Cell C Sharks (28).
 
The DHL WP are third (26 points) and they are followed by the Xerox Lions (25), Toyota Cheetahs (17), Phakisa Pumas (11) and Tafel Lager Griquas (5). 
 
Click on the links for the full match reports.
 
Xerox Lions hunt down Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein
 
The Xerox Lions outscored hosts Toyota Cheetahs by five tries to two in their 39-23 bonus-point win in the third round encounter played in Bloemfontein on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Pride of Jozi lead 13-9 at halftime but then turn on the style after the restart to score four more tries  to take the game away from the Free State hosts.
 
This clash was a much-anticipated affair and repeat of the 2019 Carling Currie Cup final, while it also marked the teams’ first match-up this season after their Vodacom Super Unlocked game was cancelled.
 
Scorers:
 
Toyota Cheetahs (9) 22 - Tries: Ruben de Haas, Marnus van der Merwe. Conversions: Tian Schoeman, Frans Steyn. Penalty Goals: Schoeman (2), Steyn.
 
Xerox Lions (13) 39 - Tries: Willem Alberts, Andre Warner (2), Jannie du Plessis, Marvin Orie. Conversions: Elton Jantjies (4). Penalty Goals: Jantjies (2).
 
Cell C Sharks edge Vodacom Bulls to stay in top two
 
The Cell C Sharks edged the Vodacom Bulls 32-29 in their clash at Jonsson Kings Park on Saturday to extend their five-year winning streak over the Pretoria side in the competition and remain in the top two on the log.
 
The win handed them the bragging rights of being one of only two teams to defeat log-leaders the Vodacom Bulls this season, while it also allowed them to reduce the deficit between themselves and Pretoria outfit on the standings to five points.
 
Scorers:
 
Cell C Sharks (14) 32 – Tries: Lukhanyo Am, Kerron van Vuuren, Yaw Penxe. Conversion: Curwin Bosch (1). Penalty Goals: Curwin Bosch (5).
 
Vodacom Bulls (9) 29 – Tries: Marco van Staden, Cornal Hendricks. Conversions: Morné Steyn (2). Penalty Goals: Morné Steyn (5).
 
DHL WP grind out important win over plucky Phakisa Pumas
 
Three tries in the second half paved the way for a morale boosting 28-14 victory for DHL Western Province over the Phakisa Pumas in their fixture played in Cape Town on Friday evening.
 
It was a welcome return to winning ways for the home side who lost their previous two matches to the Vodacom Bulls and Xerox Lions respectively.
 
However, the Cape outfit only managed to secure the vital bonus point long after the sound of the final hooter when their outstanding Springbok prop, Steven Kitshoff, barged over for their fourth try of the evening.
 
Scorers:
 
DHL Western Province (8) 28  - Tries: Scarra Ntubeni (2), Angelo Davids, Steven Kitshoff. Conversion: Kade Wolhuter. Penalty Goals: Kade Wolhuter (2).
 
Phakisa Pumas (5) 14 - Try: Elrich Cronje. Penalty goals: Devon Williams (3).
 
Carling Currie Cup media resources: Latest News | Match Centre | Standings

​Issued by SA Rugby Communications

The Vodacom Bulls consolidated their position at the top of the standings as the Carling Currie Cup stepped up a big gear in the second round, with the Xerox Lions and Phakisa Pumas also on the winning side.
 
The men from Pretoria were rampant in the second half of their match against the Toyota Cheetahs in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon, as they bagged a full-house of five log points to move eight points clear of the Cell C Sharks on the log, with the Durbanites enjoying a bye.
 
DHL Western Province had a good opportunity to leap-frog the Cell C Sharks on Saturday evening, but they went down to the Xerox Lions in an enthralling encounter in Johannesburg.
 
As a result, Jozi’s Pride passed the Toyota Cheetahs on the log and the Capetonians had to be satisfied with a losing bonus point for their efforts.
 
On Friday evening, the Phakisa Pumas punished a lacklustre Tafel Lager Griquas to bag their second win of the season over the men from the Northern Cape.
 
With two rounds completed in the Carling Currie Cup, the Vodacom Bulls top the standings on 32 points, followed by the Cell C Sharks (24), DHL WP (21), Xerox Lions (20), Toyota Cheetahs (17), Phakisa Pumas (11) and Tafel Lager Griquas (5).
 
The teams from Durban and Bloemfontein both have a game in hand though.
 
Click on the links for the full match reports.
 
Phakisa Pumas do the double over Tafel Lager Griquas
 
A powerful display by the Phakisa Pumas’ forwards paved the way to a 22-17 victory over Tafel Lager Griquas and their first Carling Currie Cup victory of the season in Nelspruit on Friday evening.
 
The home side stamped their authority from the outset with entertaining phases of play on attack and a dominant performance in the scrums, and this paid off with a 15-7 halftime lead.
 
The second half, however, was tightly fought as Tafel Lager Griquas showed their fighting spirit until the dying minutes, but in the end a penalty try awarded to the Phakisa Pumas proved to be the difference as each team crossed the tryline twice.
 
Scorers:
 
Phakisa Pumas 22 (15) – Tries: Luther Obi, Daniel Maartens, Penalty try. Conversion: Ginter Smuts. Penalty goal: Ginter Smuts.
 
Tafel Lager Griquas 17 (7) – Tries: Eduan Keyter (2). Conversions: Tinus de Beer (2). Penalty goals: De Beer.
 
Vodacom Bulls stretch their lead at the top of the log
 
A flawless kicking display by veteran Vodacom Bulls flyhalf Morne Steyn and a brace of tries by Marco van Staden (flanker) paved the way for a rewarding 40-13 bonus-point victory against the Toyota Cheetahs in their round two Carling Currie Cup match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
 
The win allowed the Pretoria outfit to continue their dominance this season, with the team stretching their lead at the top of the standings with an impressive seventh victory in eight matches.
 
The Vodacom Bulls got off to a quick start, building up an encouraging 13-3 lead in the first 20 minutes, but the Free Staters’ forced their way back into the match to level the scores at 13-13 by halftime.
 
The home side, however, found their rhythm in the second half, scoring 27 unanswered points, which saw them outscore the men from Bloemfontein four tries to one.
 
Scorers:
 
Vodacom Bulls 40 (13) – Tries: Embrose Papier, Marco van Staden (2), Chris Smith. Conversions: Morne Steyn (2), Smith (2). Penalty goals: Steyn (4).
 
Toyota Cheetahs 13 (13) – Try: Reinhardt Fortuin. Conversion: Frans Steyn. Penalty goals: Steyn (2).
 
Last-gasp win for Xerox Lions over DHL Western Province
 
A penalty goal on the final hooter by Tiaan Swanepoel was enough for the Xerox Lions to secure a last-gasp 22-19 Carling Currie Cup victory over DHL Western Province at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Saturday night.
 
Swanepoel, who made his Carling Currie Cup debut for the Johannesburgers at fullback, scored five penalty goals – many of them from quite far out – as the home team snuck through for their second successive win.
 
The game was on a knife’s edge for most of the 80 minutes before that moment as the two packs went hammer and tongs against each other, not giving away any free inches in an energy sapping affair upfront.
 
Two moments of brilliance from speedsters Seabelo Senatla (DHL Western Province) and Stean Pienaar (Xerox Lions) brought some life to the game, in which both teams lacked some accuracy at times and made too many mistakes, mostly due to great defence.
 
Scorers:
 
Xerox Lions 22 (6) – Try: Stean Pienaar. Conversion: Elton Jantjies. Penalty goals: Tiaan Swanepoel (5).
 
DHL Western Province 19 (9) – Try: Seabelo Senatla. Conversion: Tim Swiel. Penalty goals: Swiel (4).
 
Carling Currie Cup media resources: Latest News | Match Centre | Standings

​Issued by SA Rugby Communications

Despite playing with only fourteen men in the second half, the Vodacom Bulls managed to snatch a last-gasp 22-20 win over the DHL Western Province in their entertaining Carling Currie Cup Round One match played on Saturday evening in Cape Town.
 
Lightning brought an early end to the clash in Kimberley where the Xerox Lions were awarded the match 20-17 after threatening weather conditions forced players off the field. Law 5.10 of the competition regulations states that the referee has the power to end or suspend the match at any time if he believes that it would be unsafe to continue.
 
On Friday evening the Cell C Sharks kicked off the weekend’s first-round action at home in Durban and the coastal team comfortably defeated the Phakisa Pumas 45-10, outscoring their Lowveld visitors by seven tries to one. The Toyota Cheetahs had a bye weekend.
 
The full log table of Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked was carried over to the Carling Currie Cup, meaning the Vodacom Bulls are leading the current standings with 27 points on the back of their comeback win over DHL WP in Cape Town.
 
As a result of their bonus-point win over the Phakisa Pumas, the Cell C Sharks occupy second spot on the log with 24 points and they are followed by DHL WP (20), Toyota Cheetahs (17), Xerox Lions (16), Phakisa Pumas (7) and Tafel Lager Griquas (4).
 
Click on the links for the full match reports.
 
Vodacom Bulls snatch thrilling win over DHL Western Province
 
The Vodacom Bulls showed nerves of steel and massive character to defeat the DHL Western Province 22-20 in their North versus South derby played at DHL Newlands on Saturday evening.
 
The teams scored three tries apiece as the lead changed hands several times, however, it was the crucial kick by visiting fly half Chris Smith - to convert a late try by replacement Marco Jansen van Vuren - that clinched victory for the men from Pretoria.
 
Jake White's team showed enormous courage to emerge as winners of this hard-fought derby, considering they had to play almost the entire second half with 14 men as a result of the red card shown to front ranker Jacques van Rooyen.
 
DHL WP fly half, Damian Willemse, had an erratic night with the boot in windy conditions and he missed several penalty attempts and a couple of conversions. 
 
Juarno Augustus (No 8), Angelo Davids (right wing) and Ernst van Rhyn (No 7 flank) each scored a try for the Cape side, while Willemse managed one conversion and a penalty goal. Kurt-Lee Arendse (right wing, 2) and Marco Jansen van Vuren (replacement wing) responded with tries for the Vodacom Bulls and Smith added two conversions and a penalty goal.
 
The Cape side enjoyed a 10-5 advantage at the break, having scored a converted try and a penalty goal to the visitors’ unconverted try that opened the scoring. However, the second half burst into thrilling action, with both sides determined to clinch the bragging rights of this traditional rivalry.
 
Crucially, the lead changed hands one last time time when Smith executed a pinpoint cross-kick to find Van Vuren who dived over in the corner. Smith kept his nerve to slot over the vital conversion to hand his side a memorable win.
 
Scorers:
 
DHL Western Province 20 (10) - Try: Juarno Augustus, Angelo Davids, Ernst van Rhyn. Conversion: Damian Willemse. Penalty goal: Willemse.
Vodacom Bulls 22 (5) - Tries: Kurt-Lee Arendse (2), Marco Jansen van Vuren. Conversion: Chris Smith (2). Penalty goal: Smith.
 
Xerox Lions get past Tafel Lager Griquas in weather-affected clash
 
The Xerox Lions squeezed a hard-fought 20-17 win out over hosts, Tafel Lager Griquas, in their weather-affected match in Kimberley on Saturday.
 
The team from Jozi were handed the win when an approaching thunderstorm forced the players off the field just five minutes into the second half and when the storm did not subside 30 minutes later, the match was called in favour of the visitors.
 
Having trailed 17-13 at the break, the Joburg side took the lead just a minute before play was halted even though the home team were on the attack, with the match officer’s safety call coming at the most unfortunate time for the hosts.
 
The Kimberley outfit must be cursing their luck as they looked set for victory 30 minutes into the first half, with three unanswered tries setting them on their way. The visitors responded decisively though with two late first-half tries and another one just after the restart.
 
Scorers:
 
Tafel Lager Griquas 17 (17) - Tries: HJ Luus, Eduan Keyter, James Verity-Amm. Conversion: Tinus de Beer.
Xerox Lions 20 (13) - Tries: Courtnall Skosan (2), Penalty Try. Penalty goal: Elton Jantjies.
 
Free-scoring Cell C Sharks ease past Phakisa Pumas in Durban
 
In the opening first-round encounter played on Friday evening in Durban, the Cell C Sharks overpowered the Phakisa Pumas 45-10 by scoring seven tries to one in this comfortable bonus-point victory.
 
The Durbanites scored five tries and three conversions to go 31-3 up into the break, with their forwards especially dominant, while replacement wing Sbu Nkosi made a dramatic impact in the second half with two further tries to seal a dominant performance.
 
The home forward pack used their bulk size and mauling abilities to good effect, which set up the platform for all but one of their five first-half tries. They enjoyed territorial advantage and possession and kept the pressure on the visitors by using their heavyweight pack to set up numerous attacking opportunities from their well-functioning lineouts.
 
Jimmy Stonehouse’s team made a better impact in the second half and managed to carry the ball deep into the home territory. That good work was however undone when Springbok flyer Nkosi, who came on as a replacement, wrapped the game for the coastal team with two very good solo tries.
 
Scorers:
 
Cell C Sharks 45 (31) – Tries: Jeremy Ward (2), Sanele Nohamba, Kerron van Vuuren, Dylan Richardson, Sbu Nkosi (2). Conversions: Curwin Bosch (5).
Phakisa Pumas 10 (3) – Try: Phumzile Maqondwana. Conversion: Ginter Smuts. Penalty: Smuts.
 
Carling Currie Cup competition format
 
Winner
The Carling Currie Cup champion will be the team that wins the final on 23 January 2021 – the top four teams on the log will progress to the semi-finals (the top-placed will host the team that finishes fourth and the second placed team, the team finishes third), with the final hosted by the winning semi-finalist who finished highest on the log.
 
Log position
In the event of two or more teams being equal on log points for any position on the standings, either during or at the end of the season, such position will be decided upon using the following steps until the tie is broken:
a) Highest aggregate points difference from all matches;
b) Highest aggregate tries difference from all matches;
c) Highest points difference with team tied on the log from matches between those sides;
d) Most points scored in all group matches;
e) Most tries scored in all group matches;
f) Coin toss.
 
Log points
Win: 4 points
Draw: 2 points
Loss: 0 points for loss by more than 7 points
Bonus: 1 point for loss by 7 points or fewer
Bonus: 1 point for scoring 3 tries or more than opponent
 
Carling Currie Cup media resources: Latest News | Match Centre | Standings

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

South Africa’s seven Carling Currie Cup teams are supporting the #NOEXCUSE campaign by competition sponsor Carling Black Label as the world marks 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children from 25 November to 10 December.
 
In line with Carling Black Label’s campaign, players from the Carling Currie Cup teams will either make a vow or wear #NOEXCUSE silicone rings in support of the initiative in the opening two weeks of SA’s premier domestic competition, which kicks off today (Friday, 27 November).
 
The Cell C Sharks will host the Phakisa Pumas in the opening match on Friday at 19h00, while Tafel Lager Griquas welcome the Xerox Lions to Kimberley and DHL Western Province takes on the Vodacom Bulls in the North-South derby on Saturday.
 
The #NOEXCUSE campaign aims to address the incidence of Gender-Based Violence by getting the men of South Africa to renew their social contract with the women in their lives and with society in general. RenewAll’s goal is to drive South African men to publicly acknowledge the scourge and get them to take action on the ground.
  
Carling Black Label Brand Director Arné Rust praised the teams for supporting the campaign.
 
“Every man is responsible for ending Gender Based Violence,” said Rust.
 
“We ask all men to Re-New what you stand for in your relationship, Re-Commit to helping in the fight against Gender-Based Violence and Re-bel against the idea that you cannot help.
 
“We would like to call on all rugby fans to follow the lead of their favourite teams and join us in committing to this very important campaign. Go to www.noexcusesa.com to make the vow.
 
“Together we are stronger. Let’s discover #TheChampionWithin.”
 
Issued by SA Rugby Communications
​

The Cup of Champions has partnered with South Africa’s champion beer in a bold, new agreement that will see the world’s oldest provincial rugby competition officially become the Carling Currie Cup for the next three seasons.
 
The Carling Currie Cup will officially kick off on the weekend of 27/28 November, culminating in the final on Saturday, 23 January 2021. All log points from Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked will be carried over to the Carling Currie Cup.


The Toyota Cheetahs will defend the crown they won in the 2019 final against the Xerox Lions, as well as the Vodacom Bulls, Tafel Lager Griquas, Phakisa Pumas, Cell C Sharks and DHL Western Province.


The opening round of matches will see the Cell C Sharks host the Phakisa Pumas, Tafel Lager Griquas take on the Xerox Lions and the Vodacom Bulls travel to Cape Town to face DHL Western Province. The Toyota Cheetahs have a bye.


The action will build up to the semi-finals on Saturday, 16 January 2021, when the top four teams on the log will slog it out to progress to the final (23 January).


SA Rugby and South African Breweries (SAB) announced on Tuesday that they had struck a deal in which the award-winning Carling Black Label Beer assumes the naming rights to rugby’s biggest domestic prize – marking Carling Black Label’s debut in rugby, although the partnership between SA Rugby and SAB stretches back close to three decades.
 
“SAB has been a loyal partner to SA Rugby dating back to the days before rugby turned professional, so it gives me great pleasure to build on our association with them,” said SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux.
 
“This marks Carling Black Label’s first rugby sponsorship, and we are thrilled to have such a well-established and successful brand associated with the Currie Cup, which is a competition that prides itself on its rich heritage.
 
“This is a fine fit because just as Carling Black Label is the beer of champions, winning the Currie Cup competition remains one of the biggest achievements in South African rugby. This association also resonates with the camaraderie in the sport and amongst SA’s die-hard rugby fans.
 
“SAB, through its various brands, has promoted nation-building in sport, and particularly in rugby, and their association with the Carling Currie Cup comes at a time when nation-building is more important than ever.
 
“What makes this sponsorship even more significant is that Carling Black Label has partnered with us during one of the toughest economic climates in the sport and in business, and this certainly shows their passion for the Currie Cup and rugby.”
 
SAB’s founding brand, Castle Lager, began its association with SA Rugby and the Springboks in 1997 – succeeding Lion Lager, another SAB brand – which had been worn on the jersey when the team returned from isolation in 1992.
 
The partnership has included the sponsorship of the three annual Test competitions – the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, the Castle Lager Incoming Series and the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour – as well as of the Springbok Sevens and Springbok Women’s Sevens teams.
 
Carling Black Label Brand Director Arné Rust said: “Carling Black Label is proud to sponsor the Currie Cup. Not only are our goals closely aligned but the name itself is a pleasure to say, the Carling Currie Cup.
 
“Carling Black Label is a beer that recognises and rewards champions for their effort and achievement, and in our estimation, there is no greater achievement in local rugby than to lift the Currie Cup.
 
“Carling Black Label has supported local sport for a very long time and we will continue to do all we can to involve consumers more in the sports they love and to reward them for doing so.
 
“As South Africa’s most award-winning beer we welcome the partnership with South Africa’s most awarded trophy.”
 
Fixtures for the 2020 Carling Currie Cup (all subject to change):
 
Friday 27 November
19h00: Cell C Sharks v Phakisa Pumas (Jonsson Kings Park, Durban)
 
Saturday 28 November
16h30: Tafel Lager Griquas v Xerox Lions (Tafel Lager Park, Kimberley)
19h00: DHL Western Province v Vodacom Bulls (DHL Newlands, Cape Town)
 
Friday 4 December
19h00: Phakisa Pumas v Tafel Lager Griquas (‎Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)
 
Saturday 5 December
16h30: Vodacom Bulls v Toyota Cheetahs (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
19h00: Xerox Lions v DHL Western Province (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)
 
Friday 11 December
19h00: DHL Western Province v Phakisa Pumas (DHL Newlands, Cape Town)
 
Saturday 12 December
16h30: Toyota Cheetahs v Xerox Lions (Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein)
19h00: Cell C Sharks v Vodacom Bulls (Jonsson Kings Park, Durban)
 
Friday 18 December
19h00: Phakisa Pumas v Toyota Cheetahs (‎Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)
 
Saturday 19 December
16h30: Tafel Lager Griquas v Vodacom Bulls (Tafel Lager Park, Kimberley)
19h00: Xerox Lions v Cell C Sharks (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)
 
Saturday 26 December
16h30: DHL Western Province v Tafel Lager Griquas (DHL Newlands, Cape Town)
19h00: Vodacom Bulls v Xerox Lions (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
 
Sunday 27 December
16h30: Toyota Cheetahs v Cell C Sharks (Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein)
 
Saturday 2 January 2021
14h00: Phakisa Pumas v Xerox Lions (‎Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)
16h30: Cell C Sharks v Tafel Lager Griquas (Jonsson Kings Park, Durban)
19h00: Toyota Cheetahs v DHL Western Province (Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein)
 
Friday 8 January
19h00: Phakisa Pumas v Vodacom Bulls (‎Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)
 
Saturday 9 January
16h30: Tafel Lager Griquas v Toyota Cheetahs (Tafel Lager Park, Kimberley)
19h00: DHL Western Province v Cell C Sharks (DHL Newlands, Cape Town)
 
Saturday 16 January 2021: Semi-finals
 
Saturday 23 January 2021: Final
 
Issued by SA Rugby Communications