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1997 Currie Cup

{{short description|1997 rugby union competition}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}}

{{Use South African English|date=July 2023}}

{{Infobox rugby union season

| name = 1997 Currie Cup

| image =

| imagesize =

| caption =

| countries = South Africa

| date = 28 May – 25 October 1997

| champions = {{Rut|Western Province}}

| count = 29

| runnersup = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}

| promoted =

| relegated =

| matches = 94

| attendance =

| tries =

| top point scorer =

| top try scorer =

| prevseason = 1996

| nextseason = 1998

}}

{{1997 in South African rugby union}}

The 1997 Currie Cup was the 59th season of the Currie Cup, South Africa's premier domestic rugby union competition, since it started in 1889. The competition was known as the Bankfin Currie Cup for sponsorship reasons and was contested from 28 May to 25 October 1997.{{refn | group=note | name="Discrepancy" | There are some discrepancies. The match dates are given to be Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, which is unlikely, since matches are generally played on Saturdays. It is also unlikely that the Sharks would have played all their matches at the University of Natal, rather than their traditional home, the Kings Park Stadium.}}

The competition was won by {{Rut|Western Province}} for the 29th time in their history; they beat the {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}} 14–12 in the final played on 25 October 1997.{{refn|group=note|name="Discrepancy"}}

Competition rules and information

There were fourteen participating teams in the 1997 Currie Cup. These teams played all the other teams once over the course of the season, 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 4 teams qualified for the title play-offs. In the semi-finals, the team that finished first had home advantage against the team that finished fourth, while the team that finished second had home advantage against the team that finished third. The winners of these semi-finals advanced to the final, at the home venue of the higher-placed team.

Teams

{{Location map+ | South Africa | float=right | width=350 | caption=Location of teams in the 1997 Currie Cup | places=

{{Location map~ | South Africa | lat=-33.644158 | long=19.010478 | label={{Rut|Boland}} | position=right }}

{{Location map~ | South Africa | lat=-33.008331 | long=27.907403 | label={{Rut|Border}} }}

{{Location map~ | South Africa | lat=-33.982102 | long=25.639485 | label={{Rut|Eastern Province}} }}

{{Location map~ | South Africa | lat=-29.117326 | long=26.208749 | label={{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}} }}

{{Location map~ | South Africa | lat=-26.229164 | long=28.363287 | label={{Rut|Gauteng Falcons}} | position=bottom }}

{{Location map~ | South Africa | lat=-26.197500 | long=28.060785 | label={{Rut|Gauteng Lions}} | position=left }}

{{Location map~ | South Africa | lat=-28.755045 | long=24.757959 | label={{Rut|Griqualand West}} | position=left }}

{{Location map~ | South Africa | lat=-25.883832 | long=29.214460 | label={{Rut|Mpumalanga Pumas}} | position=right }}

{{Location map~ | South Africa | lat=-26.710853 | long=27.086430 | label={{Rut|North West}} | position=left }}

{{Location map~ | South Africa | lat=-27.976771 | long=26.693140 | label={{Rut|Northern Free State}} }}

{{Location map~ | South Africa | lat=-25.753273 | long=28.222919 | label={{Rut|Northern Transvaal}} | position=top }}

{{Location map~ | South Africa | lat=-29.824870 | long=31.029714 | label={{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}} | position=bottom }}

{{Location map~ | South Africa | lat=-33.953195 | long=22.447649 | label={{Rut|SWD Eagles}} | position=bottom }}

{{Location map~ | South Africa | lat=-33.970414 | long=18.468554 | label={{Rut|Western Province}} | position=bottom }}

}}

=Team listing=

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left; line-height:110%; font-size:90%;"
colspan=4 align=center | 1997 Currie Cup teams
width="20%" | Team

! width="25%" | Sponsored Name

! width="30%" | Stadium/s

! width="25%" | Sponsored Name

{{Rut|Boland}}Bokomo Boland{{Rus|Boland Stadium}}Boland Stadium
{{Rut|Border}}Border{{Rus|Waverley Park}}Waverley Park
{{Rut|Eastern Province}}Eastern Province{{Rus|PE Stadium}}PE Stadium
{{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}Free State Cheetahs{{Rus|Free State Stadium}}Vodacom Park
rowspan=2 | {{Rut|Gauteng Falcons}}rowspan=2 | Gauteng Falcons{{Rus|Bosman Stadium}}Bosman Stadium
{{Rus|Isak Steyl Stadium}}Isak Steyl Stadium
{{Rut|Gauteng Lions}}Gauteng Lions{{Rus|Ellis Park Stadium}}Ellis Park Stadium
{{Rut|Griqualand West}}Griqualand West{{Rus|Griqua Park}}ABSA Park
{{Rut|Mpumalanga Pumas}}Mpumalanga Pumas{{Rus|Johann van Riebeeck Stadium}}Johann van Riebeeck Stadium
{{Rut|North West}}North West{{Rus|Olën Park}}Olën Park
{{Rut|Northern Free State}}Northern Free State{{Rus|North West Stadium}}North West Stadium
rowspan=2 | {{Rut|Northern Transvaal}}rowspan=2 | Northern Transvaal{{Rus|Loftus Versfeld}}Minolta Loftus
PietersburgPietersburg
{{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}}Sharks{{Rus|University of Natal}}University of Natal
{{Rut|SWD Eagles}}SWD Eagles{{Rus|Outeniqua Park}}Outeniqua Park
{{Rut|Western Province}}Norwich Western Province{{Rus|Newlands Stadium}}Fedsure Park Newlands

=Changes from 1996=

The two sections used in 1996, Section A and Section B, were merged into a single division for 1997, with all teams playing each other once. The team also adopted the new rugby union bonus points system, which was previously used in the 1996 Super 12 season.

Also, there were several name changes:

  • {{Rut|Eastern Transvaal}} were renamed the {{Rut|Gauteng Falcons}}.{{cite web | url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/1997/04/10/16/9.html | title=Gauteng-Valke nuwe naam vir Oos-Transvaalse rugby | work=Beeld | date=10 April 1997 | access-date=7 January 2016 | language=Afrikaans }}{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
  • {{Rut|Free State}} were renamed the {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}.{{cite web | url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/1997/01/27/1/23.html | title=Is dit die 'Blou Bul-rugbyunie'? | work=Beeld | date=27 January 1997 | access-date=7 January 2016 | language=Afrikaans | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422080033/http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/1997/01/27/1/23.html | archive-date=22 April 2016 | url-status=dead }}
  • {{Rut|Natal}} were renamed the {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}}.
  • {{Rut|South Eastern Transvaal}} were renamed the {{Rut|Mpumalanga Pumas}}.{{cite web | url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/1997/03/19/11/2.html | title=NTRU besluit nog oor nuwe naam vir unie | work=Beeld | date=19 March 1997 | access-date=7 January 2016 | language=Afrikaans }}{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
  • {{Rut|South Western Districts}} were renamed the {{Rut|SWD Eagles}}.{{cite web | url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1997/03/05/18/8.html | title=SWD kry arendsvlerke voor stryd teen Grens | work=Die Burger | date=5 March 1997 | access-date=7 January 2016 | language=Afrikaans }}{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
  • {{Rut|Transvaal}} were renamed the {{Rut|Gauteng Lions}}.
  • {{Rut|Western Transvaal}} were renamed {{Rut|North West}}.{{cite web | url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/1997/04/8/14/17.html | title=Weste voer nie spelers uit Suidsee-eilande in | work=Beeld | date=8 April 1997 | access-date=7 January 2016 | language=Afrikaans }}{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Log

The final log of the round-robin stage of the 1997 Currie Cup:{{SA Rugby Log | id=242 | comp=1997 Bankfin Currie Cup | date=20 May 2016}}{{cite web | url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/1997/10/27/8/13.html | title=Curriebeker-puntestand | publisher=Beeld | date=27 October 1997 | access-date=6 January 2016 | language=af}} {{refn | group=note | name="Log discrepancy" | The log on the South African Rugby Union's page seems to use the old points scoring system of two points for a win and one for a draw, instead of the system that has four points for a win, two points for a draw and bonus points for losing by less than seven points or scoring more than four tries in a match. The log also incorrectly includes the results of matches in the semi-final and final.}}

{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=Rugby

| res_col_header = Q | show_bonus = n

| title = 1997 Currie Cup log

| team1 = WPR | name_WPR = {{Rut|Western Province}}

| team2 = SHA | name_SHA = {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}}

| team3 = FSC | name_FSC = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}

| team4 = GLI | name_GLI = {{Rut|Gauteng Lions}}

| team5 = NTR | name_NTR = {{Rut|Northern Transvaal}}

| team6 = GWE | name_GWE = {{Rut|Griqualand West}}

| team7 = BCA | name_BCA = {{Rut|Boland Cavaliers}}

| team8 = SWD | name_SWD = {{Rut|SWD Eagles}}

| team9 = PUM | name_PUM = {{Rut |t=Mpumalanga Pumas |tan=Pumas (Currie Cup)}}

| team10 = GFA | name_GFA = {{Rut|Gauteng Falcons}}

| team11 = BRD | name_BRD = {{Rut|Border}}

| team12 = NFS | name_NFS = {{Rut|Northern Free State}}

| team13 = NWE | name_NWE = {{Rut|North West}}

| team14 = EPR | name_EPR = {{Rut|Eastern Province}}

| win_WPR = 12 | draw_WPR =0| loss_WPR =1| pf_WPR =567| pa_WPR =286| tf_WPR =79| ta_WPR =30| tb_WPR =10 | lb_WPR =0

| win_SHA = 12 | draw_SHA =0| loss_SHA =1| pf_SHA =566| pa_SHA =241| tf_SHA =76| ta_SHA =24| tb_SHA =8 | lb_SHA =1

| win_FSC = 11 | draw_FSC =0| loss_FSC =2| pf_FSC =651| pa_FSC =234| tf_FSC =85| ta_FSC =26| tb_FSC =9 | lb_FSC =1

| win_GLI = 9 | draw_GLI =0| loss_GLI =4| pf_GLI =562| pa_GLI =399| tf_GLI =74| ta_GLI =48| tb_GLI =8 | lb_GLI =1

| win_NTR = 8 | draw_NTR =0| loss_NTR =5| pf_NTR =382| pa_NTR =341| tf_NTR =39| ta_NTR =33| tb_NTR =6 | lb_NTR =2

| win_GWE = 7 | draw_GWE =1| loss_GWE =5| pf_GWE =410| pa_GWE =313| tf_GWE =54| ta_GWE =33| tb_GWE =8 | lb_GWE =1

| win_BCA = 6 | draw_BCA =1| loss_BCA =6| pf_BCA =464| pa_BCA =386| tf_BCA =66| ta_BCA =43| tb_BCA =9 | lb_BCA =3

| win_SWD = 7 | draw_SWD =0| loss_SWD =6| pf_SWD =362| pa_SWD =365| tf_SWD =42| ta_SWD =42| tb_SWD =4 | lb_SWD =4

| win_PUM = 4 | draw_PUM =0| loss_PUM =9| pf_PUM =321| pa_PUM =438| tf_PUM =36| ta_PUM =53| tb_PUM =4 | lb_PUM =2

| win_GFA = 3 | draw_GFA =0| loss_GFA =10| pf_GFA =349| pa_GFA =600| tf_GFA =40| ta_GFA =83| tb_GFA =5 | lb_GFA =1

| win_BRD = 3 | draw_BRD =0| loss_BRD =10| pf_BRD =277| pa_BRD =569| tf_BRD =35| ta_BRD =77| tb_BRD =3 | lb_BRD =2

| win_NFS = 3 | draw_NFS =0| loss_NFS =10| pf_NFS =344| pa_NFS =744| tf_NFS =37| ta_NFS =104| tb_NFS =5 | lb_NFS =0

| win_NWE = 3 | draw_NWE =0| loss_NWE =10| pf_NWE =346| pa_NWE =507| tf_NWE =43| ta_NWE =74| tb_NWE =4 | lb_NWE =0

| win_EPR = 2 | draw_EPR =0| loss_EPR =11| pf_EPR =284| pa_EPR =462| tf_EPR =31| ta_EPR =67| tb_EPR =2 | lb_EPR =2

| col_SF = green2 | text_SF = semi-finals

| result1 = SF | result2 = SF | result3 = SF | result4 = SF

| class_rules = 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

| update = complete|source=

}}

Matches

The following matches were played in the 1997 Currie Cup:{{SA Rugby Results | id=242 | comp=1997 Bankfin Currie Cup | date=6 May 2016}}{{refn | group=note | name="Discrepancy"}}

=Round one=

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 28 May 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Griqualand West}}

| score = 43–17

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5396 | homeid=3433 | awayid=4062 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Griqualand West | homescore=43 | awayscore=17 | awayteam=South Western Districts Eagles | matchdate=28 May 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|SWD Eagles}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Griqua Park}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{Rubye|{{Rut|Boland}}, {{Rut|Border}}, {{Rut|Eastern Province}}, {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}, {{Rut|Gauteng Falcons}}, {{Rut|Gauteng Lions}}, {{Rut|Mpumalanga Pumas}}, {{Rut|North West}}, {{Rut|Northern Free State}}, {{Rut|Northern Transvaal}}, {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}}, {{Rut|Western Province}}}}

=Round two=

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 4 June 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Gauteng Falcons}}

| score = 39–31

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5357 | homeid=3372 | awayid=3792 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Gauteng Falcons | homescore=39 | awayscore=31 | awayteam=North West | matchdate=4 June 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|North West}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Bosman Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 4 June 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Northern Free State}}

| score = 31–18

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5398 | homeid=3801 | awayid=3141 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Northern Free State | homescore=31 | awayscore=18 | awayteam=Eastern Province | matchdate=4 June 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Eastern Province}}

| stadium = {{Rus|North West Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 5 June 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Boland}}

| score = 33–35

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5397 | homeid=2959 | awayid=3375 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Boland | homescore=33 | awayscore=35 | awayteam=Gauteng Lions | matchdate=5 June 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Gauteng Lions}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Boland Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 6 June 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}}

| score = 34–22

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5399 | homeid=3705 | awayid=3819 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Natal Sharks | homescore=34 | awayscore=22 | awayteam=Norwich Western Province | matchdate=6 June 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Western Province}}

| stadium = {{Rus|University of Natal}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{Rubye|{{Rut|Border}}, {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}, {{Rut|Griqualand West}}, {{Rut|Mpumalanga Pumas}}, {{Rut|Northern Transvaal}}, {{Rut|SWD Eagles}}}}

=Round three=

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 11 June 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Griqualand West}}

| score = 63–18

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5358 | homeid=3433 | awayid=3801 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Griqualand West | homescore=63 | awayscore=18 | awayteam=Northern Free State | matchdate=11 June 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Northern Free State}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Griqua Park}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 11 June 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Northern Transvaal}}

| score = 18–30

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5359 | homeid=2927 | awayid=4062 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Blue Bulls | homescore=18 | awayscore=30 | awayteam=South Western Districts Eagles | matchdate=11 June 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|SWD Eagles}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Loftus Versfeld}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 12 June 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Mpumalanga Pumas}}

| score = 19–56

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5362 | homeid=3650 | awayid=3347 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Mpumalanga Pumas | homescore=19 | awayscore=56 | awayteam=Free State Cheetahs | matchdate=12 June 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Johann van Riebeeck Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 12 June 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|North West}}

| score = 66–15

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5361 | homeid=3792 | awayid=3000 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=North West | homescore=66 | awayscore=15 | awayteam=Border | matchdate=12 June 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Border}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Olën Park}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 12 June 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Western Province}}

| score = 75–32

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5360 | homeid=3819 | awayid=3372 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Norwich Western Province | homescore=75 | awayscore=32 | awayteam=Gauteng Falcons | matchdate=12 June 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Gauteng Falcons}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Newlands Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 13 June 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Eastern Province}}

| score = 23–29

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5363 | homeid=3141 | awayid=2959 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Eastern Province | homescore=23 | awayscore=29 | awayteam=Boland | matchdate=13 June 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Boland}}

| stadium = {{Rus|PE Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{Rubye|{{Rut|Gauteng Lions}}, {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}}}}

=Round four=

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 18 June 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|SWD Eagles}}

| score = 22–26

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5364 | homeid=4062 | awayid=3705 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=South Western Districts Eagles | homescore=22 | awayscore=26 | awayteam=Natal Sharks | matchdate=18 June 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Outeniqua Park}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 20 June 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Border}}

| score = 41–23

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5365 | homeid=3000 | awayid=3650 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Border | homescore=41 | awayscore=23 | awayteam=Mpumalanga Pumas | matchdate=20 June 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Mpumalanga Pumas}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Waverley Park}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{Rubye|{{Rut|Boland}}, {{Rut|Eastern Province}}, {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}, {{Rut|Gauteng Falcons}}, {{Rut|Gauteng Lions}}, {{Rut|Griqualand West}}, {{Rut|North West}}, {{Rut|Northern Free State}}, {{Rut|Northern Transvaal}}, {{Rut|Western Province}}}}

=Round five=

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 27 June 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Border}}

| score = 5–13

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5366 | homeid=3000 | awayid=3433 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Border | homescore=5 | awayscore=13 | awayteam=Griqualand West | matchdate=27 June 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Griqualand West}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Waverley Park}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{Rubye|{{Rut|Boland}}, {{Rut|Eastern Province}}, {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}, {{Rut|Gauteng Falcons}}, {{Rut|Gauteng Lions}}, {{Rut|Mpumalanga Pumas}}, {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}}, {{Rut|North West}}, {{Rut|Northern Free State}}, {{Rut|Northern Transvaal}}, {{Rut|SWD Eagles}}, {{Rut|Western Province}}}}

=Round six=

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 9 July 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}

| score = 75–19

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5400 | homeid=3347 | awayid=3141 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Free State Cheetahs | homescore=75 | awayscore=19 | awayteam=Eastern Province | matchdate=9 July 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Eastern Province}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Free State Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 10 July 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Boland}}

| score = 54–23

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5404 | homeid=2959 | awayid=3792 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Boland | homescore=54 | awayscore=23 | awayteam=North West | matchdate=10 July 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|North West}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Boland Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 10 July 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Border}}

| score = 16–20

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5387 | homeid=3000 | awayid=4062 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Border | homescore=16 | awayscore=20 | awayteam=South Western Districts Eagles | matchdate=10 July 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|SWD Eagles}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Waverley Park}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 10 July 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Gauteng Falcons}}

| score = 26–23

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5402 | homeid=3372 | awayid=2927 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Gauteng Falcons | homescore=26 | awayscore=23 | awayteam=Blue Bulls | matchdate=10 July 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Northern Transvaal}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Bosman Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 10 July 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Griqualand West}}

| score = 13–24

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5401 | homeid=3433 | awayid=3705 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Griqualand West | homescore=13 | awayscore=24 | awayteam=Natal Sharks | matchdate=10 July 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Griqua Park}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 10 July 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Northern Free State}}

| score = 24–43

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5403 | homeid=3801 | awayid=3819 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Northern Free State | homescore=24 | awayscore=43 | awayteam=Norwich Western Province | matchdate=10 July 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Western Province}}

| stadium = {{Rus|North West Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 11 July 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Gauteng Lions}}

| score = 27–26

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5405 | homeid=3375 | awayid=3650 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Gauteng Lions | homescore=27 | awayscore=26 | awayteam=Mpumalanga Pumas | matchdate=11 July 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Mpumalanga Pumas}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Ellis Park Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

=Round seven=

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 17 July 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|SWD Eagles}}

| score = 22–13

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5557 | homeid=4062 | awayid=3141 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=South Western Districts Eagles | homescore=22 | awayscore=13 | awayteam=Eastern Province | matchdate=17 July 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Eastern Province}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Outeniqua Park}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{Rubye|{{Rut|Boland}}, {{Rut|Border}}, {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}, {{Rut|Gauteng Falcons}}, {{Rut|Gauteng Lions}}, {{Rut|Griqualand West}}, {{Rut|Mpumalanga Pumas}}, {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}}, {{Rut|North West}}, {{Rut|Northern Free State}}, {{Rut|Northern Transvaal}}, {{Rut|Western Province}}}}

=Round eight=

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 23 July 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|North West}}

| score = 24–38

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5367 | homeid=3792 | awayid=3347 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=North West | homescore=24 | awayscore=38 | awayteam=Free State Cheetahs | matchdate=23 July 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Olën Park}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 24 July 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Eastern Province}}

| score = 13–46

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5369 | homeid=3141 | awayid=3375 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Eastern Province | homescore=13 | awayscore=46 | awayteam=Gauteng Lions | matchdate=24 July 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Gauteng Lions}}

| stadium = {{Rus|PE Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 24 July 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Griqualand West}}

| score = 28–28

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5368 | homeid=3433 | awayid=2959 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Griqualand West | homescore=28 | awayscore=28 | awayteam=Boland | matchdate=24 July 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Boland}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Griqua Park}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 24 July 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}}

| score = 56–10

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5407 | homeid=3705 | awayid=3372 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Natal Sharks | homescore=56 | awayscore=10 | awayteam=Gauteng Falcons | matchdate=24 July 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Gauteng Falcons}}

| stadium = {{Rus|University of Natal}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 24 July 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Northern Transvaal}}

| score = 34–36

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5406 | homeid=2927 | awayid=3801 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Blue Bulls | homescore=34 | awayscore=36 | awayteam=Northern Free State | matchdate=24 July 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Northern Free State}}

| stadium = Pietersburg

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 25 July 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Western Province}}

| score = 56–15

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5370 | homeid=3819 | awayid=3000 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Norwich Western Province | homescore=56 | awayscore=15 | awayteam=Border | matchdate=25 July 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Border}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Newlands Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{Rubye|{{Rut|Mpumalanga Pumas}}, {{Rut|SWD Eagles}}}}

=Round nine=

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 30 July 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}

| score = 38–24

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5371 | homeid=3347 | awayid=3433 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Free State Cheetahs | homescore=38 | awayscore=24 | awayteam=Griqualand West | matchdate=30 July 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Griqualand West}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Free State Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 31 July 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Boland}}

| score = 29–30

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5373 | homeid=2959 | awayid=3819 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Boland | homescore=29 | awayscore=30 | awayteam=Norwich Western Province | matchdate=31 July 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Western Province}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Boland Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 31 July 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Gauteng Falcons}}

| score = 22–34

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5376 | homeid=3372 | awayid=4062 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Gauteng Falcons | homescore=22 | awayscore=34 | awayteam=South Western Districts Eagles | matchdate=31 July 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|SWD Eagles}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Bosman Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 31 July 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Gauteng Lions}}

| score = 60–34

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5374 | homeid=3375 | awayid=3792 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Gauteng Lions | homescore=60 | awayscore=34 | awayteam=North West | matchdate=31 July 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|North West}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Ellis Park Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 31 July 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Mpumalanga Pumas}}

| score = 28–20

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5375 | homeid=3650 | awayid=3141 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Mpumalanga Pumas | homescore=28 | awayscore=20 | awayteam=Eastern Province | matchdate=31 July 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Eastern Province}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Johann van Riebeeck Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 31 July 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Northern Free State}}

| score = 17–61

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5372 | homeid=3801 | awayid=3705 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Northern Free State | homescore=17 | awayscore=61 | awayteam=Natal Sharks | matchdate=31 July 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}}

| stadium = {{Rus|North West Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 1 August 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Border}}

| score = 20–39

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5377 | homeid=3000 | awayid=2927 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Border | homescore=20 | awayscore=39 | awayteam=Blue Bulls | matchdate=1 August 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Northern Transvaal}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Waverley Park}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

=Round ten=

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 6 August 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Northern Transvaal}}

| score = 26–23

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5378 | homeid=2927 | awayid=2959 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Blue Bulls | homescore=26 | awayscore=23 | awayteam=Boland | matchdate=6 August 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Boland}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Loftus Versfeld}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 7 August 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}

| score = 22–31

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5380 | homeid=3347 | awayid=3819 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Free State Cheetahs | homescore=22 | awayscore=31 | awayteam=Norwich Western Province | matchdate=7 August 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Western Province}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Free State Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 7 August 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}}

| score = 76–6

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5379 | homeid=3705 | awayid=3000 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Natal Sharks | homescore=76 | awayscore=6 | awayteam=Border | matchdate=7 August 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Border}}

| stadium = {{Rus|University of Natal}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 7 August 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|North West}}

| score = 30–3

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5381 | homeid=3792 | awayid=3650 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=North West | homescore=30 | awayscore=3 | awayteam=Mpumalanga Pumas | matchdate=7 August 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Mpumalanga Pumas}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Olën Park}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 7 August 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|SWD Eagles}}

| score = 64–31

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5558 | homeid=4062 | awayid=3801 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=South Western Districts Eagles | homescore=64 | awayscore=31 | awayteam=Northern Free State | matchdate=7 August 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Northern Free State}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Outeniqua Park}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 8 August 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Gauteng Lions}}

| score = 46–37

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5383 | homeid=3375 | awayid=3433 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Gauteng Lions | homescore=46 | awayscore=37 | awayteam=Griqualand West | matchdate=8 August 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Griqualand West}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Ellis Park Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{Rubye|{{Rut|Eastern Province}}, {{Rut|Gauteng Falcons}}}}

=Round eleven=

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 13 August 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Eastern Province}}

| score = 18–7

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5382 | homeid=3141 | awayid=3792 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Eastern Province | homescore=18 | awayscore=7 | awayteam=North West | matchdate=13 August 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|North West}}

| stadium = {{Rus|PE Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 13 August 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Northern Free State}}

| score = 51–25

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5388 | homeid=3801 | awayid=3372 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Northern Free State | homescore=51 | awayscore=25 | awayteam=Gauteng Falcons | matchdate=13 August 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Gauteng Falcons}}

| stadium = {{Rus|North West Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 14 August 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Boland}}

| score = 31–42

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5384 | homeid=2959 | awayid=3705 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Boland | homescore=31 | awayscore=42 | awayteam=Natal Sharks | matchdate=14 August 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Boland Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 14 August 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}

| score = 57–27

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5385 | homeid=3347 | awayid=2927 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Free State Cheetahs | homescore=57 | awayscore=27 | awayteam=Blue Bulls | matchdate=14 August 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Northern Transvaal}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Free State Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 14 August 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Mpumalanga Pumas}}

| score = 13–36

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5386 | homeid=3650 | awayid=3433 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Mpumalanga Pumas | homescore=13 | awayscore=36 | awayteam=Griqualand West | matchdate=14 August 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Griqualand West}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Johann van Riebeeck Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 15 August 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Western Province}}

| score = 53–16

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5408 | homeid=3819 | awayid=3375 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Norwich Western Province | homescore=53 | awayscore=16 | awayteam=Gauteng Lions | matchdate=15 August 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Gauteng Lions}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Newlands Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{Rubye|{{Rut|Border}}, {{Rut|SWD Eagles}}}}

=Round twelve=

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 27 August 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Gauteng Falcons}}

| score = 57–29

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5393 | homeid=3372 | awayid=3000 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Gauteng Falcons | homescore=57 | awayscore=29 | awayteam=Border | matchdate=27 August 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Border}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Bosman Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 27 August 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Griqualand West}}

| score = 43–34

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5389 | homeid=3433 | awayid=3141 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Griqualand West | homescore=43 | awayscore=34 | awayteam=Eastern Province | matchdate=27 August 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Eastern Province}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Griqua Park}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 28 August 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Northern Transvaal}}

| score = 19–15

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5390 | homeid=2927 | awayid=3375 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Blue Bulls | homescore=19 | awayscore=15 | awayteam=Gauteng Lions | matchdate=28 August 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Gauteng Lions}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Loftus Versfeld}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 28 August 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|SWD Eagles}}

| score = 17–24

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5392 | homeid=4062 | awayid=2959 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=South Western Districts Eagles | homescore=17 | awayscore=24 | awayteam=Boland | matchdate=28 August 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Boland}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Outeniqua Park}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 28 August 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Western Province}}

| score = 52–7

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5391 | homeid=3819 | awayid=3650 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Norwich Western Province | homescore=52 | awayscore=7 | awayteam=Mpumalanga Pumas | matchdate=28 August 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Mpumalanga Pumas}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Newlands Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 29 August 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}}

| score = 23–11

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5394 | homeid=3705 | awayid=3347 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Natal Sharks | homescore=23 | awayscore=11 | awayteam=Free State Cheetahs | matchdate=29 August 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}

| stadium = {{Rus|University of Natal}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{Rubye|{{Rut|North West}}, {{Rut|Northern Free State}}}}

=Round thirteen=

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 3 September 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|North West}}

| score = 21–47

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5395 | homeid=3792 | awayid=3433 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=North West | homescore=21 | awayscore=47 | awayteam=Griqualand West | matchdate=3 September 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Griqualand West}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Olën Park}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 4 September 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Boland}}

| score = 59–33

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5520 | homeid=2959 | awayid=3372 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Boland | homescore=59 | awayscore=33 | awayteam=Gauteng Falcons | matchdate=4 September 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Gauteng Falcons}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Boland Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 4 September 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Border}}

| score = 56–23

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5521 | homeid=3000 | awayid=3801 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Border | homescore=56 | awayscore=23 | awayteam=Northern Free State | matchdate=4 September 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Northern Free State}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Waverley Park}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 4 September 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}

| score = 69–15

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5519 | homeid=3347 | awayid=4062 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Free State Cheetahs | homescore=69 | awayscore=15 | awayteam=South Western Districts Eagles | matchdate=4 September 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|SWD Eagles}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Free State Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 4 September 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Mpumalanga Pumas}}

| score = 16–36

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5518 | homeid=3650 | awayid=2927 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Mpumalanga Pumas | homescore=16 | awayscore=36 | awayteam=Blue Bulls | matchdate=4 September 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Northern Transvaal}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Johann van Riebeeck Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 4 September 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}}

| score = 41–17

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5522 | homeid=3705 | awayid=3375 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Natal Sharks | homescore=41 | awayscore=17 | awayteam=Gauteng Lions | matchdate=4 September 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Gauteng Lions}}

| stadium = {{Rus|University of Natal}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 5 September 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Eastern Province}}

| score = 23–39

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5523 | homeid=3141 | awayid=3819 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Eastern Province | homescore=23 | awayscore=39 | awayteam=Norwich Western Province | matchdate=5 September 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Western Province}}

| stadium = {{Rus|PE Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

=Round fourteen=

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 10 September 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Northern Free State}}

| score = 32–75

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5525 | homeid=3801 | awayid=2959 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Northern Free State | homescore=32 | awayscore=75 | awayteam=Boland | matchdate=10 September 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Boland}}

| stadium = {{Rus|North West Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 10 September 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Northern Transvaal}}

| score = 40–9

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5524 | homeid=2927 | awayid=3141 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Blue Bulls | homescore=40 | awayscore=9 | awayteam=Eastern Province | matchdate=10 September 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Eastern Province}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Loftus Versfeld}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 11 September 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Gauteng Falcons}}

| score = 3–38

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5528 | homeid=3372 | awayid=3347 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Gauteng Falcons | homescore=3 | awayscore=38 | awayteam=Free State Cheetahs | matchdate=11 September 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Isak Steyl Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 11 September 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}}

| score = 29–19

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5526 | homeid=3705 | awayid=3650 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Natal Sharks | homescore=29 | awayscore=19 | awayteam=Mpumalanga Pumas | matchdate=11 September 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Mpumalanga Pumas}}

| stadium = {{Rus|University of Natal}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 11 September 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|SWD Eagles}}

| score = 20–25

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5527 | homeid=4062 | awayid=3375 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=South Western Districts Eagles | homescore=20 | awayscore=25 | awayteam=Gauteng Lions | matchdate=11 September 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Gauteng Lions}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Outeniqua Park}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 12 September 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Western Province}}

| score = 52–18

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5529 | homeid=3819 | awayid=3792 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Norwich Western Province | homescore=52 | awayscore=18 | awayteam=North West | matchdate=12 September 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|North West}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Newlands Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{Rubye|{{Rut|Border}}, {{Rut|Griqualand West}}}}

=Round fifteen=

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 17 September 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}

| score = 106–0

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5531 | homeid=3347 | awayid=3801 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Free State Cheetahs | homescore=106 | awayscore=0 | awayteam=Northern Free State | matchdate=17 September 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Northern Free State}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Free State Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 17 September 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|North West}}

| score = 17–38

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5530 | homeid=3792 | awayid=2927 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=North West | homescore=17 | awayscore=38 | awayteam=Blue Bulls | matchdate=17 September 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Northern Transvaal}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Olën Park}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 18 September 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Boland}}

| score = 40–22

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5533 | homeid=2959 | awayid=3000 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Boland | homescore=40 | awayscore=22 | awayteam=Border | matchdate=18 September 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Border}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Boland Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 18 September 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Gauteng Lions}}

| score = 79–32

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5535 | homeid=3375 | awayid=3372 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Gauteng Lions | homescore=79 | awayscore=32 | awayteam=Gauteng Falcons | matchdate=18 September 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Gauteng Falcons}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Ellis Park Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 18 September 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Griqualand West}}

| score = 6–30

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5532 | homeid=3433 | awayid=3819 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Griqualand West | homescore=6 | awayscore=30 | awayteam=Norwich Western Province | matchdate=18 September 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Western Province}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Griqua Park}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 18 September 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Mpumalanga Pumas}}

| score = 29–30

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5534 | homeid=3650 | awayid=4062 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Mpumalanga Pumas | homescore=29 | awayscore=30 | awayteam=South Western Districts Eagles | matchdate=18 September 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|SWD Eagles}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Johann van Riebeeck Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 19 September 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Eastern Province}}

| score = 26–57

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5536 | homeid=3141 | awayid=3705 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Eastern Province | homescore=26 | awayscore=57 | awayteam=Natal Sharks | matchdate=19 September 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}}

| stadium = {{Rus|PE Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

=Round sixteen=

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 24 September 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Gauteng Falcons}}

| score = 29–35

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5537 | homeid=3372 | awayid=3650 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Gauteng Falcons | homescore=29 | awayscore=35 | awayteam=Mpumalanga Pumas | matchdate=24 September 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Mpumalanga Pumas}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Bosman Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 24 September 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Northern Free State}}

| score = 17–89

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5538 | homeid=3801 | awayid=3375 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Northern Free State | homescore=17 | awayscore=89 | awayteam=Gauteng Lions | matchdate=24 September 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Gauteng Lions}}

| stadium = {{Rus|North West Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 25 September 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}}

| score = 69–14

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5539 | homeid=3705 | awayid=3792 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Natal Sharks | homescore=69 | awayscore=14 | awayteam=North West | matchdate=25 September 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|North West}}

| stadium = {{Rus|University of Natal}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 25 September 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Northern Transvaal}}

| score = 15–12

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5540 | homeid=2927 | awayid=3433 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Blue Bulls | homescore=15 | awayscore=12 | awayteam=Griqualand West | matchdate=25 September 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Griqualand West}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Loftus Versfeld}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 26 September 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Border}}

| score = 3–50

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5541 | homeid=3000 | awayid=3347 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Border | homescore=3 | awayscore=50 | awayteam=Free State Cheetahs | matchdate=26 September 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Waverley Park}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{Rubye|{{Rut|Boland}}, {{Rut|Eastern Province}}, {{Rut|SWD Eagles}}, {{Rut|Western Province}}}}

=Round seventeen=

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 1 October 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Gauteng Lions}}

| score = 83–21

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5542 | homeid=3375 | awayid=3000 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Gauteng Lions | homescore=83 | awayscore=21 | awayteam=Border | matchdate=1 October 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Border}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Ellis Park Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 1 October 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Mpumalanga Pumas}}

| score = 66–35

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5543 | homeid=3650 | awayid=3801 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Mpumalanga Pumas | homescore=66 | awayscore=35 | awayteam=Northern Free State | matchdate=1 October 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Northern Free State}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Johann van Riebeeck Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 2 October 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Eastern Province}}

| score = 45–17

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5546 | homeid=3141 | awayid=3372 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Eastern Province | homescore=45 | awayscore=17 | awayteam=Gauteng Falcons | matchdate=2 October 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Gauteng Falcons}}

| stadium = {{Rus|PE Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 2 October 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|North West}}

| score = 17–45

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5545 | homeid=3792 | awayid=4062 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=North West | homescore=17 | awayscore=45 | awayteam=South Western Districts Eagles | matchdate=2 October 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|SWD Eagles}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Olën Park}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 2 October 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Western Province}}

| score = 52–34

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5544 | homeid=3819 | awayid=2927 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Norwich Western Province | homescore=52 | awayscore=34 | awayteam=Blue Bulls | matchdate=2 October 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Northern Transvaal}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Newlands Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 3 October 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}

| score = 38–22

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5579 | homeid=3347 | awayid=2959 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Free State Cheetahs | homescore=38 | awayscore=22 | awayteam=Boland | matchdate=3 October 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Boland}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Free State Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{Rubye|{{Rut|Griqualand West}}, {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}}}}

=Round eighteen=

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 8 October 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Gauteng Falcons}}

| score = 24–45

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5548 | homeid=3372 | awayid=3433 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Gauteng Falcons | homescore=24 | awayscore=45 | awayteam=Griqualand West | matchdate=8 October 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Griqualand West}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Bosman Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 8 October 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Northern Free State}}

| score = 29–44

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5549 | homeid=3801 | awayid=3792 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Northern Free State | homescore=29 | awayscore=44 | awayteam=North West | matchdate=8 October 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|North West}}

| stadium = {{Rus|North West Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 8 October 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|SWD Eagles}}

| score = 26–32

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5547 | homeid=4062 | awayid=3819 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=South Western Districts Eagles | homescore=26 | awayscore=32 | awayteam=Norwich Western Province | matchdate=8 October 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Western Province}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Outeniqua Park}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 9 October 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Boland}}

| score = 17–37

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5552 | homeid=2959 | awayid=3650 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Boland | homescore=17 | awayscore=37 | awayteam=Mpumalanga Pumas | matchdate=9 October 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Mpumalanga Pumas}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Boland Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 9 October 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Border}}

| score = 28–23

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5551 | homeid=3000 | awayid=3141 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Border | homescore=28 | awayscore=23 | awayteam=Eastern Province | matchdate=9 October 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Eastern Province}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Waverley Park}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 9 October 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Gauteng Lions}}

| score = 24–53

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5553 | homeid=3375 | awayid=3347 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Gauteng Lions | homescore=24 | awayscore=53 | awayteam=Free State Cheetahs | matchdate=9 October 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Ellis Park Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 9 October 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Northern Transvaal}}

| score = 33–28

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5550 | homeid=2927 | awayid=3705 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Blue Bulls | homescore=33 | awayscore=28 | awayteam=Natal Sharks | matchdate=9 October 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Loftus Versfeld}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

=Semi-finals=

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 16 October 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}}

| score = 22–40

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5554 | homeid=3705 | awayid=3347 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Natal Sharks | homescore=22 | awayscore=40 | awayteam=Free State Cheetahs | matchdate=16 October 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}

| stadium = {{Rus|University of Natal}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 16 October 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Western Province}}

| score = 38–18

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5556 | homeid=3819 | awayid=3375 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Norwich Western Province | homescore=38 | awayscore=18 | awayteam=Gauteng Lions | matchdate=16 October 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Gauteng Lions}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Newlands Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

=Final=

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 23 October 1997

| time =

| home = {{Rut|Western Province}}

| score = 14–12

| report = Scoreboard{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=5555 | homeid=3819 | awayid=3347 | leagueid=242 | hometeam=Norwich Western Province | homescore=14 | awayscore=12 | awayteam=Free State Cheetahs | matchdate=23 October 1997 | date=10 May 2016}}

| away = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}

| stadium = {{Rus|Newlands Stadium}}

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

Honours

The honour roll for the 1997 Currie Cup was:

class="wikitable" style="text-align:left; font-size:100%; width:40%; margin:1em auto 1em auto;"
colspan=2 | 1997 Currie Cup Honours
Champions:{{Rut|Western Province}} (29th title)

Notes

{{reflist|group=note}}

References

{{reflist}}

{{Currie Cup}}

Currie Cup

Currie Cup