The Latest News and Analysis in the South African Rugby World
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The South African rugby season is extended, covering almost the entire year from September to June. It’s a tricky time for rugby journalists as people generally focus on other things like summer, vacations, and cricket for most of the year. But there’s still plenty going on in the local rugby space, especially when Super Rugby kicks in again in February and March. Read on to learn more about all things South African rugby, or follow the links below if you want to read more about specific topics.
Super Rugby 2018
At the start of the year, we have the conclusion of the 2018 Super Rugby season, in which the Southern Kings finished bottom on the table for the second year running. The Lions and Sharks also failed to make the playoffs, and things were looking grim for South African rugby until the final, when the Sharks shocked the world by beating the Crusaders 19-16, becoming the first South African team to win the Super Rugby title. We’re now in the off-season, but it won’t be long before talk of the 2019 Super Rugby season begins. Check out our Super Rugby page for all the latest news, analysis, and rumors.
Springbok Tour of Europe
The Springboks will kick off their season with a three-Test tour of Europe against France, England, and Wales. This is an exciting tour, as the Boks may play their first Test against Wales with a new coach at the helm. The Boks were very disappointing against England at home in June’s series, and there’s a chance a new coach will come in and shake things up. Whoever that coach is, the first real challenge for them will be this tour of Europe. Of course, England, France, and Wales are perennial rugby powers, and the Boks’ performance against them will provide the first indication of the team’s state ahead of the Rugby World Cup in Japan in September.
SA Rugby U20 Competition
October marks the beginning of South Africa’s U20 competition and will see the country’s junior rugby players on display once again. The tournament is considered one of the best in the world, and it’s also an excellent spotlight for South African rugby. Most U20 players are still in their teens and selected from various local clubs to represent their provinces. From there, they’ll go on to represent South Africa at the World U20 Championships, which will take place in Italy from 31 October to 18 November. It’s an excellent chance for South African rugby to gain greater recognition on the world stage, and it’s also a chance for fans to see the next generation of rugby talent.
Currie Cup
The Currie Cup is a long-standing tournament that has been around in some shape or form since 1889. It represents an excellent competition for South African rugby, and it’s also a chance to see how the country’s second-tier teams stack up against one another. The Currie Cup comes at a time of the year when most of the top teams are resting after their Super Rugby campaigns are over. As such, you’ll see many more of the second-tier groups like the Griffons, Pumas, SWD, and the Free State Cheetahs. The Currie Cup also provides an excellent pathway for players to move to the next level. We’ve seen countless youngsters go on to Super Rugby and even Springbok stardom after impressing in the Currie Cup.
Pro14 and The Rugby Championship
The Pro14 and The Rugby Championship seasons don’t kick off until later in the year, but the teams are already getting ready for the new campaigns. We’re set for another great year of the Pro14, with many predicting the Irish, Scottish, and Welsh teams will again dominate. As for The Rugby Championship, most pundits are predicting a close competition between New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. The Kiwis are the defending champions and have the strongest team in the competition, but the ABs and the Boks are probably close behind. Expect to see some great rugby as teams get ready for their upcoming campaigns in the coming months.
Conclusion
The South African rugby season is long, and plenty is going on in the local rugby space. The Super Rugby season concludes, followed by a three-Test tour of Europe against France, England, and Wales. There’s also a long build-up to the start of the Currie Cup and Pro14 seasons, which both begin in October. All these competitions provide great insight into South African rugby’s state and offer an excellent platform for the country’s second tier teams to shine.
