The race for the 2025 Carling Currie Cup First Division title is officially underway, with all six teams vying to etch their name on the trophy when the competition concludes in late July.
Last year’s champions, the Sanlam Boland Cavaliers, earned promotion to the Premier Division after a strong showing in the 2025 SA Cup, leaving the First Division wide open for a new winner.
The opening round on Saturday, 14 June, delivered thrilling encounters across three matches:
2025 Carling Currie Cup First Division round 1
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Eastern Province edged out the Phangela SWD Eagles 36-31 in a tightly contested clash at Madibaz Stadium in Gqeberha.
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The Valke secured an away victory, defeating the NovaVit Griffons 36-26 in Welkom.
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The Leopards dominated the Border Bulldogs 47-20 at Olen Park in Potchefstroom.
Scorers:
Eastern Province – Tries: Deon Plaatjies (2), Johannes Huisamen, Rodney Damons, Jayden Bantom. Conversions: Oliver Zono (4). Drop goal: Bantom.
SWD Eagles – Tries: Stephan Leonard, JP Duvenage, Marlo Weich, Roshwin Abrahams, Clive Kruger. Conversions: Weich, Abrahams, Marco Fuhri.
Griffons – Tries: Duan Pretorius, Simon Westraadt, Kyle Cyster, Willem van den Hever. Conversions: Andrew Kota (3).
Valke – Tries: Ezrick Alexander (2), Kayden Kiewit, Keagan Fortune, Wernich Aucamp. Conversions: Fortune (4). Penalty goal: Fortune.
Leopards – Tries: Chadd Adams (2), Armin Posthumus, Lwandile Mapuko, Jason Alexander, Brandon Keevy, Hanro Potgieter. Conversions: Shaun Baxter (6).
Border – Tries: Kamvelihle Fatyela, Soso Xakalashe. Conversions: Maxwell Klaasen (2). Penalty goals: Klaasen (2).
With the competition heating up early, all teams will be looking to build momentum as they chase the coveted trophy. The next round of matches promises more excitement as the battle for supremacy continues.
