2023 Currie Cup First Division
{{Short description|Domestic rugby union competition}}
{{Use South African English|date=March 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox rugby union season
| name = 2023 Currie Cup First Division
| image =
| imagesize =
| caption =
| countries = South Africa
| date = 11 February – 24 June
| champions = Boland Cavaliers
| count = 6
| runnersup =
| promoted =
| relegated =
| matches =
| attendance =
| tries =
| top point scorer =
| top try scorer =
| prevseason = 2022
| nextseason = 2024
}}
The 2023 Currie Cup First Division is the 85th edition of the Currie Cup. As the second-tier of the competition, it runs alongside the 2023 Currie Cup Premier Division. It is sponsored by beer brand Carling Black Label and organised by the South African Rugby Union.
The tournament will be played from February to June in a single round-robin format, following the realignment of the South African domestic rugby union calendar to dovetail with the northern hemisphere and the United Rugby Championship, which features four South African sides.
The competition ran concurrently with the Mzansi Challenge, which, in addition to the six South African sides, featured four additional international sides; the Welwitschias from Namibia, the Zimbabwe Goshawks, the Simbas from Kenya and the San Clemente Rhinos from the USA. Initially, the Tel Aviv Heat from Israel were due to play. However, after pressure from the South African BDS, SARU withdrew their invitation to the Heat, who were replaced by the Rhinos.{{Cite web |last=Smilk |first=Carin M. |date=2023-03-24 |title=Major Jewish groups urge US rugby team to pull out of South Africa tournament |url=https://www.jns.org/major-jewish-groups-urge-us-rugby-team-to-pull-out-of-south-africa-tournament/ |access-date=2023-06-17 |website=JNS.org |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=South African Rugby Union withdraws invitation to Tel Aviv Heat |url=https://www.msn.com/en-sg/sport/other/south-african-rugby-union-withdraws-invitation-to-tel-aviv-heat/ar-AA1795dp |access-date=2023-06-17 |website=MSN |language=en-SG}}
Heat accused SARU of discrimination and took the case to World Rugby, who ruled that the withdrawal of the invitation was not discriminatory.{{Cite web |last=Gurvis |first=Jacob |title=World Rugby rules South Africa’s exclusion of Israel was not discrimination |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/world-rugby-rules-south-africas-exclusion-of-israel-from-global-competition-was-not-discrimination/ |access-date=2023-06-17 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}
The top South African side in the 2023 Currie Cup First Division will be promoted to the Premier Division for 2024, forming an eight team competition. The 2023 Currie Cup Premier Division began in January and was completed in June.
South Western District Eagles and the Falcons qualified for the Mzansi Challenge final, with the Falcons winning 55-38 and taking their first title since 2006.{{Cite web |title=Currie Cup semifinals and Mzanzi Challenge final confirmed |url=https://supersport.com/rugby/currie-cup/news/8155b5fc-97cc-4393-b66e-95636dcfbbbc/currie-cup-semifinals-and-mzanzi-challenge-final-confirmed |access-date=2023-06-17 |website=SuperSport |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Mariette |date=2023-06-17 |title=Good Fortune guides Valke to Mzansi glory |url=https://www.thesouthafrican.com/sport/rugby/good-keagan-fortune-guides-valke-to-mzansi-challenge-glory-news-17-june-2023/ |access-date=2023-06-24 |website=The South African |language=en-ZA}}
Boland Cavaliers and the Falcons qualified for the Currie Cup First Division final, with Boland winning 43–21.{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Craig |date=2023-06-20 |title=What time does the Currie Cup final kick off this Saturday? |url=https://www.thesouthafrican.com/sport/rugby/currie-cup/what-time-does-currie-cup-final-cheetahs-pumas-kick-off-saturday-breaking-20-june-2023/ |access-date=2023-06-24 |website=The South African |language=en-ZA}}{{Cite web |title=The Boland Kavaliers are crowned #CurrieCup First Division champions|url=https://twitter.com/TheCurrieCup/status/1672590328392548354 |access-date=2023-06-24 |website=Twitter |language=en}}
Teams
{{Location map+ | South Africa | float=right | width=350 | caption=Location of teams in the 2023 Currie Cup First Division - not including the international Mzansi Challenge participants | places=
{{Location map~ | South Africa | lat=-33.644063 | long=19.011455 | label={{Rut|Boland Cavaliers}} | position=top }}
{{Location map~ | South Africa | lat=-33.006720 | long=27.907376 | label={{Rut|Border Bulldogs}} }}
{{Location map~ | South Africa | lat=-33.937824 | long=25.599582 | label={{Rut|Eastern Province Elephants}} }}
{{Location map~ | South Africa | lat=-26.104849 | long=28.213320 | label={{Rut|Falcons}} | position=top }}
{{Location map~ | South Africa | lat=-26.711397 | long=27.086931 | label={{Rut|Leopards}} | position=left }}
{{Location map~ | South Africa | lat=-33.953222 | long=22.447622 | label={{Rut|SWD Eagles}} | position=bottom }}
}}
The ten competing teams are:
| class="wikitable collapsible sortable" style="text-align:left; font-size:100%; max-width:60%;" |
| + 2023 Currie Cup First Division/Mzansi Challenge |
| style="width:9.5em;" | Team
! style="width:14em;" | Sponsored name |
|---|
| {{Rut|Boland Cavaliers}}
| Boland Kavaliers |
| {{Rut|Border Bulldogs}}
| Border Bulldogs |
| {{Rut|Eastern Province Elephants}}
| Eastern Province Elephants |
| {{Rut|Falcons}}
| Valke |
| {{Rut|Leopards}}
| Leopards |
| San Clemente Rhinos
| San Clemente Rhinos |
| {{Rut|Simbas}}
| Simbas |
| {{Rut|SWD Eagles}}
| SWD Eagles |
| {{Rut|Zimbabwe Goshawks}}
| Zimbabwe Goshawks |
| {{Rut|Welwitschias}}
| Windhoek Draught Welwitschias |
Regular season
=Standings - Mzansi Challenge=
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=Rugby
| res_col_header = Q
| title = 2023 Mzansi Challenge standings
| team_order = FAL, SWD, BCA, LEO, EPE, SCR, WEL, SIM, BBD, ZGO
| win_SCR = 4| draw_SCR = 0| loss_SCR = 5| pf_SCR = 209| pa_SCR = 226| tf_SCR = 30| ta_SCR = 34 | tb_SCR = 8 | lb_SCR = 0
| win_BCA = 7| draw_BCA = 0| loss_BCA = 2| pf_BCA = 232| pa_BCA = 146| tf_BCA = 34| ta_BCA = 17 | tb_BCA = 8 | lb_BCA = 0
| win_BBD = 2| draw_BBD = 0| loss_BBD = 7| pf_BBD = 197| pa_BBD = 352| tf_BBD = 27| ta_BBD = 51 | tb_BBD = 4 | lb_BBD = 0
| win_EPE = 5| draw_EPE = 0| loss_EPE = 4| pf_EPE = 191| pa_EPE = 211| tf_EPE = 23| ta_EPE = 28 | tb_EPE = 5 | lb_EPE = 0
| win_FAL = 8| draw_FAL = 0| loss_FAL = 1| pf_FAL = 323| pa_FAL = 208| tf_FAL = 48| ta_FAL = 29 | tb_FAL = 9 | lb_FAL = 0
| win_WEL = 3| draw_WEL = 0| loss_WEL = 6| pf_WEL = 241| pa_WEL = 274| tf_WEL = 32| ta_WEL = 35 | tb_WEL = 5 | lb_WEL = 0
| win_LEO = 5| draw_LEO = 0| loss_LEO = 4| pf_LEO = 190| pa_LEO = 170| tf_LEO = 24| ta_LEO = 23 | tb_LEO = 6 | lb_LEO = 0
| win_SIM = 2| draw_SIM = 0| loss_SIM = 7| pf_SIM = 135| pa_SIM = 119| tf_SIM = 20| ta_SIM = 17 | tb_SIM = 4 | lb_SIM = 0
| win_ZGO = 1| draw_ZGO = 0| loss_ZGO = 8| pf_ZGO = 106| pa_ZGO = 167| tf_ZGO = 14| ta_ZGO = 26 | tb_ZGO = 4 | lb_ZGO = 0
| win_SWD = 8| draw_SWD = 0| loss_SWD = 1| pf_SWD = 223| pa_SWD = 174| tf_SWD = 31| ta_SWD = 23 | tb_SWD = 8 | lb_SWD = 0
| name_FAL = {{Rut|Falcons}}
| name_SWD = {{Rut|SWD Eagles}}
| name_BCA = {{Rut|Boland Cavaliers}}
| name_LEO = {{Rut|Leopards}}
| name_EPE = {{Rut|Eastern Province Elephants}}
| name_SCR = San Clemente Rhinos
| name_WEL = {{Rut|Welwitschias}}
| name_SIM = {{Rut|Simbas}}
| name_BBD = {{Rut|Border Bulldogs}}
| name_ZGO = {{Rut|Zimbabwe Goshawks}}
| col_Q = #E8FFD8 | text_Q =Semifinals
|result1 = Q|result2 = Q|result3 = Q|result4 = Q
| update = 17 June 2023
| source = [https://www.sarugby.co.za/tournaments/carling-currie-cup-first-division/ springboks.rugby]
| class_rules = Tournament points in the standings were awarded to teams as follows:
- 4 points for a win.
- 2 points for a draw.
- 1 bonus point for a loss in a match by seven points or under.
- 1 bonus point for scoring four tries or more.
Teams were ranked in the standings firstly by tournament points then by: (a) points difference from all matches (points scored less points conceded); (b) tries difference from all matches (tries scored less tries conceded); (c) points difference from the matches between the tied teams; (d) points scored in all matches; (e) tries scored in all matches; and, if needed, (f) a coin toss.
}}
=Standings - Currie Cup First Division=
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=Rugby
| res_col_header = Q
| title = 2023 Currie Cup First Division standings
| team_order = BCA, FAL, SWD, EPE, LEO, BBD
| win_BCA = 7| draw_BCA = 0| loss_BCA = 3| pf_BCA = 355| pa_BCA = 197| tf_BCA = 53| ta_BCA = 24 | tb_BCA = 10 | lb_BCA = 0
| win_BBD = 0| draw_BBD = 0| loss_BBD = 10| pf_BBD = 172| pa_BBD = 476| tf_BBD = 0| ta_BBD = 0 | tb_BBD = 2 | lb_BBD = 0
| win_EPE = 7| draw_EPE = 0| loss_EPE = 3| pf_EPE = 264| pa_EPE = 251| tf_EPE = 0| ta_EPE = 0 | tb_EPE = 5 | lb_EPE = 0
| win_FAL = 7| draw_FAL = 0| loss_FAL = 3| pf_FAL = 390| pa_FAL = 300| tf_FAL = 55| ta_FAL = 42 | tb_FAL = 10 | lb_FAL = 0
| win_LEO = 3| draw_LEO = | loss_LEO = 7| pf_LEO = 255| pa_LEO = 288| tf_LEO = 0| ta_LEO = 0 | tb_LEO = 6 | lb_LEO = 0
| win_SWD = 6| draw_SWD = 0| loss_SWD = 4| pf_SWD = 328| pa_SWD = 252| tf_SWD = 48| ta_SWD = 32 | tb_SWD = 9 | lb_SWD = 0
| name_BCA = {{Rut|Boland Cavaliers}}
| name_BBD = {{Rut|Border Bulldogs}}
| name_EPE = {{Rut|Eastern Province Elephants}}
| name_FAL = {{Rut|Falcons}}
| name_LEO = {{Rut|Leopards}}
| name_SWD = {{Rut|SWD Eagles}}
| col_Q = #E8FFD8 | text_Q =Final
|result1 = Q|result2 = Q
| update = 17 June 2023
| source = [https://www.sarugby.co.za/tournaments/carling-currie-cup-first-division/ springboks.rugby]
| class_rules = Tournament points in the standings were awarded to teams as follows:
- 4 points for a win.
- 2 points for a draw.
- 1 bonus point for a loss in a match by seven points or under.
- 1 bonus point for scoring four tries or more.
Teams were ranked in the standings firstly by tournament points then by: (a) points difference from all matches (points scored less points conceded); (b) tries difference from all matches (tries scored less tries conceded); (c) points difference from the matches between the tied teams; (d) points scored in all matches; (e) tries scored in all matches; and, if needed, (f) a coin toss.
}}
Play-offs: Mzansi Challenge
On the eve of the playoffs, South Western Districts Eagles threatened to pull out of their semifinal, disputing the decision to award the Falcons points after they refused to play against the San Clemente Rhinos.{{Cite web |last=Mjikeliso |first=Sibusiso |title=SA Rugby avoid crisis as SWD lodge Valke dispute, nearly pull out of troubled Mzansi Challenge |url=https://www.news24.com/sport/rugby/sa-rugby-avoid-crisis-as-swd-lodge-valke-dispute-nearly-pull-out-of-troubled-mzansi-challenge-20230609 |access-date=2023-06-17 |website=Sport |language=en-US}}
=Semifinals=
{{rugbybox collapsible
| date = 10 June 2023
| time = 15:00
| home = Falcons
| score = 57–30
| away = {{Rut|Leopards}}
| report= [https://www.sarugby.co.za/match-centre/match-centre-detail/?id=082c96e0-68a4-488b-983a-0c2476069d26&returnUrl=/tournaments/currie-cup-first-division-mzansi-challenge/]
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| stadium = Barnard Stadium
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{{rugbybox collapsible
| date = 10 June 2023
| time = 15:00
| home = {{Rut|SWD Eagles}}
| score = 37–20
| away = {{Rut|Boland Cavaliers}}
| report=[https://www.sarugby.co.za/match-centre/match-centre-detail/?id=e16cc4a8-e332-4cc8-9b04-13c0e6358bfb&returnUrl=/tournaments/currie-cup-first-division-mzansi-challenge/]
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=Final=
{{rugbybox collapsible |class=collapsible expanded
| date = 17 June 2023
| time = 12.30
| home = Falcons
| score = 55–38
| away = {{Rut|SWD Eagles}}
| report= [https://www.thesouthafrican.com/sport/rugby/good-keagan-fortune-guides-valke-to-mzansi-challenge-glory-news-17-june-2023/]
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Play-offs: Currie Cup First Division
=Final=
{{rugbybox collapsible |class=collapsible expanded
| date = 24 June 2023
| time = 13.00
| home = {{Rut|Boland Cavaliers}}
| score = 43–21
| away = Falcons
| report=
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See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{Currie Cup}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:2023 Currie Cup First Division}}