2017 Currie Cup Premier Division

The 2017 Currie Cup Premier Division was the top tier of the 2017 Currie Cup competition, an annual South African rugby union competition organised by the South African Rugby Union. It was the 79th edition of the competition and was contested between 21 July and 28 October 2017.

2017 Currie Cup Premier Division
CountriesSouth Africa
Date21 July – 28 October 2017
ChampionsWestern Province (34th title)
Runners-upSharks
RelegatedNone
Matches played43
Tries scored369
(average 8.6 per match)
Top point scorerGeorge Whitehead (96)
Top try scorerWarrick Gelant (10)
← 2016
2018 →

The competition was won by Western Province, who beat the Sharks 33–21 in the final held in Durban. Griquas finished bottom of the log, but retained their Premier Division status by beating the Griffons in a relegation play-off.

Competition rules and information

There were seven participating teams in the 2017 Currie Cup Premier Division. These seven teams played twice against each other over the course of the competition, once at home and once away. Teams received four points for a win and two points for a draw. Bonus points were awarded to teams that scored 4 or more tries in a game, as well as to teams that lost a match by 7 points or less. Teams were ranked by log points, then points difference (points scored less points conceded).

The top four teams qualified for the semi-finals, which was followed by a final.[1]

Teams

The teams that participated in the 2017 Currie Cup Premier Division were:

2017 Currie Cup Premier Division teams
TeamSponsored NameStadium/sSponsored Name
Blue BullsVodacom Blue BullsLoftus Versfeld, PretoriaLoftus Versfeld
Free State CheetahsToyota Free State CheetahsFree State Stadium, BloemfonteinFree State Stadium
Golden LionsXerox Golden LionsEllis Park Stadium, JohannesburgEmirates Airline Park
GriquasTafel Lager GriquasGriqua Park, KimberleyTafel Lager Park
PumasSteval PumasMbombela Stadium, MbombelaMbombela Stadium
SharksCell C SharksKings Park Stadium, DurbanGrowthpoint Kings Park
Western ProvinceDHL Western ProvinceNewlands Stadium, Cape TownDHL Newlands

Pool stage

Standings

The final log for the 2017 Currie Cup Premier Division was:

2017 Currie Cup Premier Division log
PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDTFTATBLBPtsQualification
1Sharks121002352229+12349290040Semi-finals
2Western Province12705410308+10259390028
3Golden Lions12606346395−4948530024
4Blue Bulls12507457442+1563620020
5Free State Cheetahs12606357458−10148630024
6Pumas12408348371−2348550016
7Griquas12408391458−6748620016Promotion/relegation play-off
Source: [citation needed]
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 – 2017 Currie Cup Premier Division
TeamR1R2R3R4R5R6R7R8R9R10R11R12R13R14SFF
Sharks0
(7th)
5
(4th)
10
(3rd)
15
(2nd)
20
(1st)
20
(2nd)
24
(2nd)
29
(1st)
34
(1st)
39
(1st)
43
(1st)
47
(1st)
47
(1st)
47
(1st)
WonLost
Western Province0
(6th)
0
(7th)
5
(5th)
6
(6th)
11
(5th)
16
(3rd)
17
(3rd)
17
(4th)
22
(3rd)
22
(4th)
27
(3rd)
32
(2nd)
32
(2nd)
37
(2nd)
WonWon
Golden Lions2
(5th)
7
(2nd)
8
(4th)
8
(5th)
9
(6th)
9
(7th)
10
(7th)
15
(7th)
20
(4th)
25
(3rd)
25
(4th)
25
(4th)
30
(4th)
35
(3rd)
Lost
Blue Bulls5
(3rd)
5
(3rd)
10
(2nd)
10
(3rd)
11
(4th)
13
(5th)
13
(6th)
18
(3rd)
18
(6th)
20
(6th)
20
(6th)
22
(6th)
27
(5th)
32
(4th)
Lost
Free State Cheetahs5
(1st)
10
(1st)
10
(1st)
15
(1st)
16
(2nd)
21
(1st)
25
(1st)
25
(2nd)
25
(2nd)
25
(2nd)
30
(2nd)
30
(3rd)
31
(3rd)
31
(5th)
Pumas5
(2nd)
5
(5th)
5
(6th)
6
(7th)
6
(7th)
10
(6th)
15
(4th)
17
(5th)
18
(5th)
22
(5th)
24
(5th)
24
(5th)
26
(6th)
27
(6th)
Griquas2
(4th)
4
(6th)
4
(7th)
9
(4th)
13
(3rd)
14
(4th)
14
(5th)
16
(6th)
16
(7th)
16
(7th)
16
(7th)
21
(7th)
26
(7th)
26
(7th)
Key:windrawlossbye

Matches

Round One

21 July 2017Free State Cheetahs47–12SharksFree State Stadium, Bloemfontein 
19:00Try: Uzair Cassiem  12'
Francois Venter  29'
Reinach Venter  57'
Raymond Rhule  61'
William Small-Smith  69'
Zee Mkhabela  80'
Con: Niel Marais  14', 30', 71'
Clayton Blommetjies  81'
Pen: Niel Marais  8', 48', 53'
Cards: Uzair Cassiem 33' to 43'
Scoreboard[2]Try: S'bura Sithole  20'
Bandisa Ndlovu  73'
Con: Benhard Janse van Rensburg  21'
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni


22 July 2017Griquas45–51Blue BullsGriqua Park, Kimberley 
19:30Try: Ederies Arendse  13'
Enver Brandt  21'67'
Christiaan Meyer  44'
Jono Janse van Rensburg  64'
Con: André Swarts  15', 21'
George Whitehead  64', 68'
Pen: André Swarts  20', 23', 43', 52'
Scoreboard[3]Try: Abongile Nonkontwana  7'
Piet van Zyl  17'
Jaco Visagie  33'
Duncan Matthews  38'
Warrick Gelant  58'
André Warner  60'
Travis Ismaiel  71'
Con: Tinus de Beer  18', 34', 39'
Joshua Stander  61', 72'
Pen: Tinus de Beer  49'
Warrick Gelant  53'
Referee: AJ Jacobs


23 July 2017Pumas43–36Golden LionsMbombela Stadium, Mbombela 
14:30Try: Gerrit Smith  7'67'
Nardus van der Walt  19'
Francois Kleinhans  33'
Justin van Staden  54'
Hennie Skorbinski  64'
Con: Justin van Staden  7', 20', 34', 55', 65'
Pen: Justin van Staden  3'
Scoreboard[4]Try: Stokkies Hanekom  5'
Shaun Reynolds  14'
Bradley Thain  41'
Aphiwe Dyantyi  56'
Ashlon Davids  60'
Con: Shaun Reynolds  6', 15', 42', 60'
Pen: Shaun Reynolds  12'
Referee: Stuart Berry
Bye/s: Western Province

Round Two

29 July 2017Golden Lions48–43GriquasEllis Park Stadium, Johannesburg 
12:00Try: Pieter Jansen  3'
Jacques Nel  11'
Jarryd Sage  24'
Aphiwe Dyantyi  27'
Jaco van der Walt  40'
Madosh Tambwe  47'50'
Con: Shaun Reynolds  11', 25', 28', 40', 50'
Pen: Shaun Reynolds  80'
Scoreboard[5]Try: Christiaan Meyer  6'20'
George Whitehead  36'
Ederies Arendse  55'
Enver Brandt  60'
Renier Botha  75'
Con: George Whitehead  7', 21', 37', 60', 75'
Pen: George Whitehead  32'
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni


29 July 2017Sharks29–0PumasKings Park Stadium, Durban 
17:00Try: Lukhanyo Am  43'
S'busiso Nkosi  48'
Kobus van Wyk  58'
Jeremy Ward  67'
Con: Curwin Bosch  44', 50', 68'
Pen: Curwin Bosch  5'
Scoreboard[6]Referee: Quinton Immelman


30 July 2017Free State Cheetahs30–17Western ProvinceFree State Stadium, Bloemfontein 
14:30Try: Rosko Specman  2'
William Small-Smith  40'
Francois Venter  44'
Makazole Mapimpi  51'
Con: Niel Marais  40', 45'
Pen: Niel Marais  17', 24'
Cards: Oupa Mohojé 32' to 42'
Scoreboard[7]Try: Justin Phillips  36'
Stephan de Wit  72'
Con: Kurt Coleman  36'
Brandon Thomson  73'
Pen: Kurt Coleman  6'
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Bye/s: Blue Bulls

Round Three

4 August 2017Sharks41–3GriquasKings Park Stadium, Durban 
19:00Scoreboard[8]


5 August 2017Western Province34–19PumasNewlands Stadium, Cape Town 
13:00Scoreboard[9]


5 August 2017Blue Bulls54–22Golden LionsLoftus Versfeld, Pretoria 
19:00Scoreboard[10]
Bye/s: Free State Cheetahs

Round Four

9 August 2017Griquas44–34Western ProvinceGriqua Park, Kimberley 
13:00Scoreboard[11]


9 August 2017Pumas34–45Free State CheetahsMbombela Stadium, Mbombela 
15:15Scoreboard[12]


9 August 2017Blue Bulls20–28SharksLoftus Versfeld, Pretoria 
17:30Scoreboard[13]
Bye/s: Golden Lions

Round Five

12 August 2017Free State Cheetahs25–30GriquasFree State Stadium, Bloemfontein 
15:00Scoreboard[14]


12 August 2017Western Province45–34Blue BullsNewlands Stadium, Cape Town 
15:15Scoreboard[15]


12 August 2017Golden Lions31–47SharksEllis Park Stadium, Johannesburg 
19:30Scoreboard[16]
Bye/s: Pumas

Round Six

18 August 2017Western Province39–3Golden LionsNewlands Stadium, Cape Town 
19:00Scoreboard[17]


19 August 2017Blue Bulls40–41Free State CheetahsLoftus Versfeld, Pretoria 
14:05Scoreboard[18]


20 August 2017Griquas21–27PumasGriqua Park, Kimberley 
14:30Scoreboard[19]
Bye/s: Sharks

Round Seven

25 August 2017Pumas51–15Blue BullsMbombela Stadium, Mbombela 
19:00Scoreboard[20]


26 August 2017Western Province20–21SharksNewlands Stadium, Cape Town 
15:00Scoreboard[21]


26 August 2017Free State Cheetahs30–24Golden LionsFree State Stadium, Bloemfontein 
17:15Scoreboard[22]
Bye/s: Griquas

Round Eight

1 September 2017Blue Bulls44–42GriquasLoftus Versfeld, Pretoria 
18:15Scoreboard[23]


2 September 2017Golden Lions29–28PumasEllis Park Stadium, Johannesburg 
14:00Scoreboard[24]


2 September 2017Sharks45–15Free State CheetahsKings Park Stadium, Durban 
16:15Scoreboard[25]
Bye/s: Western Province

Round Nine

8 September 2017Pumas25–27SharksMbombela Stadium, Mbombela 
17:00Scoreboard[26]


8 September 2017Griquas17–34Golden LionsGriqua Park, Kimberley 
19:00Scoreboard[27]


9 September 2017Western Province57–14Free State CheetahsNewlands Stadium, Cape Town 
15:00Scoreboard[28]
Bye/s: Blue Bulls

Round Ten

15 September 2017Griquas22–40SharksGriqua Park, Kimberley 
17:00Scoreboard[29]


15 September 2017Pumas22–12Western ProvinceMbombela Stadium, Mbombela 
19:15Scoreboard[30]


16 September 2017Golden Lions36–33Blue BullsEllis Park Stadium, Johannesburg 
17:15Scoreboard[31]
Bye/s: Free State Cheetahs

Round Eleven

22 September 2017Free State Cheetahs33–32PumasFree State Stadium, Bloemfontein 
15:00Scoreboard[32]


23 September 2017Sharks18–5Blue BullsKings Park Stadium, Durban 
15:00Scoreboard[33]


23 September 2017Western Province55–27GriquasNewlands Stadium, Cape Town 
17:15Scoreboard[34]
Bye/s: Golden Lions

Round Twelve

29 September 2017Sharks24–10Golden LionsKings Park Stadium, Durban 
19:00Scoreboard[35]


30 September 2017Griquas59–24Free State CheetahsGriqua Park, Kimberley 
14:00Scoreboard[36]


1 October 2017Blue Bulls45–46Western ProvinceLoftus Versfeld, Pretoria 
14:30Scoreboard[37]
Bye/s: Pumas

Round Thirteen

6 October 2017Free State Cheetahs36–64Blue BullsFree State Stadium, Bloemfontein 
19:00Scoreboard[38]


7 October 2017Pumas35–38GriquasMbombela Stadium, Mbombela 
14:00Scoreboard[39]


8 October 2017Golden Lions29–20Western ProvinceEllis Park Stadium, Johannesburg 
14:30Scoreboard[40]
Bye/s: Sharks

Round Fourteen

13 October 2017Blue Bulls52–32PumasLoftus Versfeld, Pretoria 
19:00Scoreboard[41]


14 October 2017Sharks20–31Western ProvinceKings Park Stadium, Durban 
15:00Scoreboard[42]


14 October 2017Golden Lions44–17Free State CheetahsEllis Park Stadium, Johannesburg 
17:15Scoreboard[43]
Bye/s: Griquas

Play-offs

Title play-offs

Semifinals

21 October 2017Sharks37–27Blue BullsKings Park Stadium, Durban 
14:30Scoreboard[44]


21 October 2017Western Province19–5Golden LionsNewlands Stadium, Cape Town 
17:00Scoreboard[45]

Final

28 October 2017Sharks21–33Western ProvinceKings Park Stadium, Durban 
17:00Scoreboard[46]

Relegation play-off

27 October 2017Griquas59–26GriffonsGriqua Park, Kimberley 
18:30Scoreboard[47]
  • Griquas remain in the Currie Cup Premier Division for 2018.
  • Griffons remain in the Currie Cup First Division for 2018.

Honours

The honour roll for the 2017 Currie Cup Premier Division was as follows:

2017 Currie Cup Premier Division
Champions:Western Province (34th title)
Top points scorer:George Whitehead, Griquas (96)
Top try scorer:Warrick Gelant, Blue Bulls (10)

Players

Squads

The following squads were named for the 2017 Currie Cup Premier Division:

Blue Bulls squad[48]
ForwardsShaun AdendorffTim Agaba • Matthys Basson • Jan-Henning Campher • Clyde Davids • Nick de JagerAston FortuinLizo GqobokaJohan GrobbelaarIrné HerbstJohn-Roy JenkinsonJannes KirstenEdgar MarutlulleFreddy NgozaAbongile NonkontwanaBoom PrinslooPierre SchoemanDayan van der WesthuizenRuben van HeerdenMarco van StadenConraad van VuurenJano VenterJaco VisagieDid not play:Jacobie AdriaanseMartin DreyerNeethling Fouché • Njabulo Gumede • Roelof SmitEli SnymanRuan Steenkamp
BacksUlrich BeyersMarnitz BoshoffTinus de BeerStedman GansWarrick GelantTravis IsmaielJT JacksonTony JantjiesJohnny KôtzeManie LibbokKefentse MahloDuncan MatthewsRabz MaxwaneFranco NaudéBurger OdendaalHandré PollardDivan RossouwJoshua StanderDries SwanepoelJamba UlengoIvan van ZylPiet van ZylAndré WarnerDid not play:Theo MareeRudy PaigeJade Stighling
CoachNollis MaraisJohn Mitchell
Free State Cheetahs squad[49]
ForwardsJustin BassonRynier BernardoTom BothaUzair CassiemAranos CoetzeeLuan de BruinErich de JagerChris DryJacques du ToitJoseph DwebaElandré HuggettReniel HugoNicolaas Immelman • Günther Janse van Vuuren • Jeremy JordaanNiell JordaanArmandt KosterJohan KotzeAndrew KuhnDaniel MaartensCharles MaraisOupa MohojéOx NchéGerhard OlivierJunior PokomelaSibabalo QomaPaul SchoemanMarnus van der MerweTorsten van JaarsveldHenco VenterReinach VenterNtokozo VidimaDennis VisserCarl WegnerJasper WieseDid not play:Tienie BurgerHilton Lobberts • Steven Meiring • Fiffy Rampeta
BacksCecil Afrika • Dian Badenhorst • Rayno BenjaminClayton BlommetjiesCarel-Jan CoetzeeRyno Eksteen • Reinhardt Erwee • Lloyd GreeffMalcolm Jaer • Stephan Janse van Rensburg • JW JonkerNico LeeMakazole Mapimpi • Vuyani Maqina • Niel MaraisMarco MasonTian MeyerAli MgijimaZee MkhabelaLuther ObiSergeal PetersenRobbie PetzerRaymond RhuleWilliam Small-SmithJP SmithRosko Specman • Ernst Stapelberg • Francois VenterShaun VenterDid not play:Ruan van Rensburg • Lihleli Xoli
CoachRory DuncanDaan Human
Golden Lions squad[50]
ForwardsJustin Ackerman • Jacobie AdriaanseAndrew BeerwinkelFabian BooysenCyle BrinkRobbie CoetzeeHacjivah DayimaniJo-Hanko de VilliersBobby de WeeRuan Dreyer • Nico du Plessis • Andries FerreiraCorné FourieRhyno HerbstPieter JansenJohannes JonkerRyan KankowskiRobert KrugerMalcolm MarxLen MassynMarvin OrieSti SitholeDylan SmithKwagga SmithJacques van RooyenJames VenterJano VenterMike WillemseDid not play: • Le Roux Baard • Driaan Bester • Ruan Brits • JP du PreezLourens Erasmus • Chergin Fillies • Wiehan Jacobs • Morné Moos • Franco MostertLuvuyo PupumaPieter ScholtzVictor Sekekete • Bhekisa Shongwe • Koos Tredoux • Akker van der MerweHP van SchoorHencus van Wyk • Jaco Willemse
BacksAndries CoetzeeRoss CronjéAshlon DavidsBranco du PreezAphiwe DyantyiStokkies HanekomJack HartRohan Janse van RensburgMarco Jansen van VurenJan-Louis la GrangeSylvian MahuzaSiya MasukuJacques NelManuel RassShaun ReynoldsJarryd SageCourtnall SkosanDillon SmitMadosh Tambwe • Bradley Thain • Morné van den BergJaco van der WaltAnthony VolminkHarold VorsterDid not play:Ruan Combrinck • Xander Crause • Faf de KlerkEddie Fouché • Selom Gavor • Dean Gordon • Gerrie Labuschagné • Barend Smit • Wayne van der BankGerdus van der Walt • Heimar Williams
CoachSwys de Bruin
Griquas squad[51]
ForwardsJonathan AdendorfWilmar ArnoldiMarius FourieLiam HendricksJono Janse van RensburgPieter Jansen van VurenKevin KabaSias KoenStephan KotzéDe Wet KrugerAJ le RouxRJ LiebenbergSintu ManjeziDevon MartinusShaun McDonaldNJ OosthuizenFP Pelser • Conway Pretorius • Wandile Putuma • Louwrens Strydom • Ewald van der WesthuizenWendal WehrMzwanele ZitoDid not play: • Mthunzi Moloi • Devon Nash • Steph Vermeulen
BacksEderies ArendseChristopher BoschRenier BothaEnver BrandtAJ Coertzen • Tiaan Dorfling • Johnathan FranckeTertius KrugerKoch MarxChristiaan MeyerKyle SteynAndré SwartsClinton SwartRudi van RooyenGeorge WhiteheadEric ZanaDid not play:Alshaun Bock • Alvin Brandt
CoachPeter Engledow
Pumas squad[52]
ForwardsLouis AlbertseThembelani BholiChris CloeteMarné CoetzeeWillie EngelbrechtCarel GreeffStephan GreeffLambert GroenewaldFrank HerneMarko Janse van RensburgJeremy JordaanFrancois KleinhansHugo Kloppers • Jacques Kotzé • Cameron LindsayHilton LobbertsKhwezi MonaMark PretoriusPieter ScholtzBrian ShabanguJannie StanderDe-Jay TerblancheNardus van der WaltStefan WillemseDid not play:Tazz Fuzani • Johann Grundlingh • Wiehan HayReuben JohannesLuxolo KozaRuaan LermMorgan NaudéDylan PetersonMarnus SchoemanSimon Westraadt
BacksSias Ebersohn • Selom Gavor • Ruwellyn IsbellGerrie LabuschagnéJP LewisKobus MaraisTheo MareeNeil MaritzRyan NellTrompie PretoriusHennie SkorbinskiGerrit SmithStefan Ungerer • Reynier van Rooyen • Justin van StadenDevon WilliamsDid not play:Bernado BothaTyler FisherDeon HelbergHoffmann MaritzEmile TempermanMarlou van Niekerk • Leighton van Wyk
CoachBrent Janse van Rensburg
Sharks squad[53]
ForwardsHyron AndrewsRuan BothaKeegan DanielJean DrosteAndrew du PlessisDan du PreezJean-Luc du PreezThomas du ToitRoss GeldenhuysThierry Kounga KuatéKhaya MajolaMzamo MajolaFranco MaraisJohn-Hubert MeyerTera MtembuBandisa NdlovuTyler PaulChiliboy RalepelleJuan SchoemanAkker van der MerweKerron van VuurenJacques VermeulenWian VoslooDid not play:Stephan CoetzeeGideon KoegelenbergTendai MtawariraCoenie Oosthuizen • Rikus Zwarts
BacksTythan AdamsLukhanyo AmGarth April • Brandon Bailing • Tristan BlewettCurwin BoschMichael ClaassensBenhard Janse van RensburgMarius LouwIlunga MukendiOdwa NdunganeS'busiso NkosiInny RadebeLouis SchreuderS'bura SitholeRhyno SmithKobus van WykHanco VenterJeremy WardCourtney WinnaarCameron WrightDid not play:Rowan GouwsPatrick Lambie
CoachRobert du Preez
Western Province squad[54]
ForwardsNizaam CarrJaco CoetzeeJan de KlerkRuben de VilliersStephan de WitJohan du ToitJC Janse van RensburgMichael KumbiraiWilco LouwBongi MbonambiDean MuirSikhumbuzo NotsheScarra NtubeniCaylib OosthuizenRamone SamuelsJD SchickerlingChad SolomonPiet-Louw StraussKobus van DykJurie van VuurenFrans van WykChris van ZylAlistair VermaakCobus WieseEduard ZandbergDid not play:Juarno Augustus • Eital Bredenkamp • Pieter-Steph du ToitRynhardt ElstadtEben EtzebethOli KebbleSteven KitshoffSiya KolisiFrans Malherbe • Ayyoob Moerat • Carlü SadieLuke Stringer • Nyasha Tarusenga
BacksCraig BarryBjorn BassonKurt ColemanDamian de AllendeRobert du PreezDewaldt DuvenageMichal HaznarHuw JonesWerner KokDan KrielDillyn LeydsSP MaraisGodlen MasimlaRuhan NelJustin PhillipsSeabelo SenatlaBrandon ThomsonJano VermaakEW ViljoenDamian WillemseDid not play:Juan de JonghDaniël du PlessisGrant HermanusKhanyo NgcukanaRyan Oosthuizen • Ernst Stapelberg • Edwill van der MerweLeolin Zas
CoachJohn Dobson

References