The 2014 and 2015 seasons of the Currie Cup will be played in a new format. It will now consist of an eight-team Premier Division and a six-team First Division. This came after a majority vote at a Special General Council meeting was held between the 14 member unions, deciding to change the competition’s format.

With the new format the six ‘anchor’ unions (the Blue Bulls, Sharks, Western Province, Free State Cheetahs, Golden Lions and EP Kings) are guaranteed placement in the Absa Currie Cup Premier Division for the next two seasons. A new qualification competition will be held after the Vodacom Cup’s conclusion, to determine who will get promoted to fill the two available spots in the Premier Division.

For the 2014 Premier Division the six ‘anchor’ teams including the Pumas who achieved promotion last season, will be joined by the winner of the qualification tournament.

According to 2013 log positions two sections will be created Section X (Western Province, Golden Lions, Blue Bulls, EP Kings) and Section Y (Sharks, Free State, Pumas, Qualifier). Teams within these sections will compete against each other in home and away games. Only a single round of cross-sectional games will be held before the semi-finals and final.

The qualification competition will consist of seven teams each playing three home and three away games only, with the winner filling the last qualifier spot in the Premier Division.

To read more on the changes to the Currie Cup’s format, click here. 

[ Source : Sport24 ]