The Carling Currie Cup First Division roared into life on Saturday with three entertaining encounters that delivered drama, tries galore, and a glimpse of which sides may be chasing glory come the end of July.
The Valke, Leopards, and Eastern Province all notched opening-round victories in a weekend that saw resilience, execution, and backline firepower on full display.
Valke Hold Off Griffons Fightback in Welkom
In one of the weekend’s standout showdowns, the Valke survived a furious second-half comeback from the NovaVit Griffons to secure a hard-fought 36–26 victory away in Welkom.
The East Randers exploded out the blocks, taking a 22–7 lead into halftime. Right wing Ezrick Alexander was electric, bagging a brace of tries, while flyhalf Keagan Fortune played a pivotal role with a try, four conversions, and a penalty goal for a personal haul of 16 points.
Despite late pressure and two quick-fire tries from the Griffons in the final stages, the Valke held firm—showing composure and grit to seal an important away win in a tough environment.
Leopards Roar Past Border in Potch
In Potchefstroom, the Leopards gave their home fans plenty to cheer about as they powered past Border Bulldogs 47–20 in a commanding performance built on clinical finishing and forward dominance.
Scrumhalf Chadd Adams grabbed a brace of tries, while the Leopards ran in seven in total. Shaun Baxter added six conversions in a composed display with the boot.
Border, to their credit, stayed in the contest early and trailed just 21–13 at the break. Flyhalf Maxwell Klaasen kicked two penalties and converted both of Border’s tries, but it wasn’t enough to halt the Leopards’ second-half surge.
EP Edge Derby Thriller Against SWD Eagles
In Gqeberha, Eastern Province held their nerve in a high-octane Eastern Cape derby, edging the Phangela SWD Eagles 36–31 in a match where both sides dotted down five times.
The hosts led 26–12 at halftime thanks to a powerful forward display led by hooker Deon Plaatjies, who scored two maul tries. Flyhalf Oliver Zono added four conversions, while Jayden Bantom sealed the win with a classy drop goal.
The Eagles rallied in the second half, with fullback Marlo Weich and replacement Roshwin Abrahams contributing both tries and conversions, but EP’s superior goal-kicking proved decisive in a tight finish.
Next Round Fixtures – Currie Cup First Division
- Friday, 20 June
Border Bulldogs vs SWD Eagles – Sisa Dukashe Stadium, East London - Saturday, 21 June
NovaVit Griffons vs Eastern Province – Down Touch Investments Stadium, Welkom
Valke vs Leopards – Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park
The opening round has already laid down a marker: the 2025 First Division promises to be fast, physical, and fiercely contested. And with Eastern Province, the Leopards, and the Valke all off to winning starts, the next few weeks will only heat up from here.
Round 1 Results Recap
- Leopards 47 (21)
Tries: Adams (2), Posthumus, Mapuko, Alexander, Keevy, Potgieter
Conversions: Baxter (6)
Border 20 (13) – Tries: Fatyela, Xakalashe | Conversions & Pens: Klaasen (4) - Griffons 26 (7) – Tries: Pretorius, Westraadt, Cyster, Van den Heever | Conversions: Kota (3)
Valke 36 (22) – Tries: Alexander (2), Kiewit, Fortune, Aucamp | Conversions & Penalty: Fortune (5) - Eastern Province 36 (26) – Tries: Plaatjies (2), Huisamen, Damons, Bantom | Conversions: Zono (4) | Drop goal: Bantom
SWD Eagles 31 (12) – Tries: Leonard, Duvenage, Weich, Abrahams, Kruger | Conversions: Weich, Abrahams, Fuhri
