New deal will see the world’s oldest provincial rugby competition, the Currie Cup, officially become the Carling Currie Cup for the next three seasons.
CAPE TOWN – SA Rugby and South African Breweries (SAB) announced on Tuesday that they had struck a deal involving the award-winning Carling Black Label Beer.
This will see the world’s oldest provincial rugby competition, the Currie Cup, officially become the Carling Currie Cup for the next three seasons.
The agreement marks Carling Black Label’s debut in rugby, although the partnership between SA Rugby and SAB stretches back close to three decades.
The Carling Currie Cup will officially kick off on the weekend of November 27/28, culminating in the final on Saturday, January 23. All log points from Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked will be carried over to the Carling Currie Cup.
The Toyota Cheetahs will defend the crown they won in the 2019 final against the Xerox Lions, as well as the Vodacom Bulls, Tafel Lager Griquas, Phakisa Pumas, Cell C Sharks and DHL Western Province.
The opening round of matches will see the Cell C Sharks host the Phakisa Pumas, Tafel Lager Griquas take on the Xerox Lions and the Vodacom Bulls travel to Cape Town to face DHL Western Province. The Toyota Cheetahs have a bye.
The action will build up to the semi-finals on Saturday, January 16, when the top four teams on the log will slog it out to progress to the final (January 23).
Said SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux: “SAB, through its various brands, has promoted nation-building in sport, and particularly in rugby, and their association with the Carling Currie Cup comes at a time when nation-building is more important than ever.
“What makes this sponsorship even more significant is that Carling Black Label has partnered with us during one of the toughest economic climates in the sport and in business, and this certainly shows their passion for the Currie Cup and rugby.”
Carling Black Label Brand Director Arné Rust said: “Carling Black Label is proud to sponsor the Currie Cup. Not only are our goals closely aligned but the name itself is a pleasure to say, the Carling Currie Cup.”
“As South Africa’s most award-winning beer we welcome the partnership with South Africa’s most awarded trophy.”
Fixtures for the 2020 Carling Currie Cup (all subject to change):
Friday 27 November
7pm: Cell C Sharks vs Phakisa Pumas (Jonsson Kings Park, Durban)
Saturday 28 November
4.30pm: Tafel Lager Griquas vs Xerox Lions (Tafel Lager Park, Kimberley)
7pm: DHL Western Province vs Vodacom Bulls (DHL Newlands, Cape Town)
Friday 4 December
7pm: Phakisa Pumas vs Tafel Lager Griquas (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)
Saturday 5 December
4.30pm: Vodacom Bulls vs Toyota Cheetahs (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
7pm: Xerox Lions vs DHL Western Province (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)
Friday 11 December
7pm: DHL Western Province vs Phakisa Pumas (DHL Newlands, Cape Town)
Saturday 12 December
4.30pm: Toyota Cheetahs vs Xerox Lions (Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein)
7pm: Cell C Sharks vs Vodacom Bulls (Jonsson Kings Park, Durban)
Friday 18 December
7pm: Phakisa Pumas vs Toyota Cheetahs (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)
Saturday 19 December
4.30pm: Tafel Lager Griquas vs Vodacom Bulls (Tafel Lager Park, Kimberley)
7pm: Xerox Lions vs Cell C Sharks (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday 26 December
4.30pm: DHL Western Province vs Tafel Lager Griquas (DHL Newlands, Cape Town)
7pm: Vodacom Bulls vs Xerox Lions (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Sunday 27 December
4.30pm: Toyota Cheetahs vs Cell C Sharks (Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein)
Saturday 2 January 2021
2pm: Phakisa Pumas vs Xerox Lions (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)
4.30pm: Cell C Sharks vs Tafel Lager Griquas (Jonsson Kings Park, Durban)
7pm: Toyota Cheetahs vs DHL Western Province (Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein)
Friday 8 January
7pm: Phakisa Pumas vs Vodacom Bulls (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)
Saturday 9 January
4.30pm: Tafel Lager Griquas vs Toyota Cheetahs (Tafel Lager Park, Kimberley)
7pm: DHL Western Province vs Cell C Sharks (DHL Newlands, Cape Town)
Saturday 16 January 2021
Semi-finals
Saturday 23 January 2021
Final
