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The Currie Cup is South African rugby's oldest and most storied domestic competition, first contested in 1889. The 2026 edition features eight of the country's leading provincial sides chasing the famous trophy. Here are all the teams competing.
The 2026 Currie Cup teams
- Bulls — Pretoria
- Lions — Johannesburg
- Sharks — Durban
- Stormers — Cape Town
- Cheetahs — Bloemfontein
- Griquas — Kimberley
- Pumas — Nelspruit
- Boland Cavaliers — Wellington
What to expect in 2026
The Currie Cup has long been the proving ground for South Africa's next generation. With the biggest unions often resting front-line Springboks for URC duty, the competition gives fringe and young players a stage — and sides like Griquas and the Pumas have repeatedly shown they can upset the heavyweights. The provincial heart of the tournament runs through Griquas, the Pumas, the Cheetahs and Boland, while the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers carry the weight of South Africa's powerhouse unions.
Follow the Currie Cup
Want to know when it all kicks off? See our guide to when the Currie Cup starts in 2026. You can follow every fixture, result and the live Currie Cup log on Octafield, or jump straight to the league tables.