Currie Cup: Rounds 1 and 2
The Carling Currie Cup Premier Division is two rounds in and already delivering high-scoring, competitive rugby. The Cheetahs lead the table with 10 points from two bonus-point victories, one point ahead of the unbeaten Boland Kavaliers.
Round 1 Notable Results
Cheetahs 27 – 25 Lions
Currie Cup R1, Bloemfontein. Cheetahs edge a tight opener to take the early table lead.
Griquas 56 – 26 Bulls XV
Currie Cup R1, Kimberley. Bobby Alexander and Gurswin Wehr both score hat-tricks in a statement win.
Round 2 Notable Results
Cheetahs 43 – 21 Sharks
Currie Cup R2, Bloemfontein. Faf de Klerk scores twice and sets up two more. Prince Nkabinde hat-trick.
Boland 41 – 3 Stormers XXIII
Currie Cup R2, Wellington. Jayden Bantom hat-trick. Stormers' second string hammered.
Lions 52 – 19 Pumas
Currie Cup R2, Johannesburg. Lions bounce back convincingly. Junior Springbok contingent impresses.
Griquas 56 – 26 Bulls XV
Currie Cup R2, Kimberley. Eight-try masterclass in front of a passionate home crowd.
The Faf de Klerk factor: The standout narrative from the opening two weeks is the form of Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk for the Cheetahs. At 34, de Klerk is playing some of the best provincial rugby of his career. Against the Sharks in Round 2, he scored two tries, set up two more, chipped kicks into space with precision, and controlled territory throughout. His decision to join the Cheetahs rather than retire from provincial rugby is paying dividends. He is still a world-class operator and his leadership is giving younger players around him a masterclass every week.
LIPPY'S VIEW
It will be interesting to see if Faf de Klerk ends up on the Springbok squad against the All Blacks. Even though the scrumhalf depth is formidable for the Springboks, Faf, with his current form and remarkable experience, could be making a claim for a spot. With Rassie Erasmus always being innovative and open to anything that may give his team an advantage, keep an eye on this as this tour unfolds.
| Currie Cup Premier Division | P | W | L | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheetahs | 2 | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| Boland Kavaliers | 2 | 2 | 0 | 9 |
| Lions | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| Griquas | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| Sharks | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| Stormers XXIII | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Pumas | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Bulls XV | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
NPC: Round 1 Underway
The 2026 Hilux NPC kicked off on Thursday July 30, marking the 50th anniversary of New Zealand's provincial rugby competition. Canterbury enter as defending champions, with Richie Mo'unga on the bench for their opener against Auckland.
Waikato 38 – 26 Bay of Plenty
NPC R1, Hamilton. Waikato open the 50th anniversary season with a convincing home win.
Tasman 31 – 29 North Harbour
NPC R1, Nelson. Two-point thriller at Trafalgar Park.
Taranaki 20 – 5 Counties Manukau
NPC R1, New Plymouth. Taranaki dominant on home ground.
Otago 41 – 14 Southland
NPC R1, Invercargill. Otago cruise to a comfortable away win in the southern derby.
Canterbury 38 – 31 Auckland
NPC R1, Christchurch. Mo'unga off the bench in the 51st minute, scores a crucial try in the 78th to seal the win.
LIPPY'S VIEW
Richie Mo'unga has now fulfilled what New Zealand Rugby said was necessary for him to be considered for selection to the team in South Africa by playing in one NPC match. This was his first game back in New Zealand after playing in Japan, and his first appearance for Canterbury since 2020. And he did not disappoint. He came off the bench in the 51st minute and scored a crucial match-winning try in the 78th minute to seal the victory. Now let's see how long it takes for Dave Rennie to get him on a flight to South Africa.
Rugby's Greatest Rivalry: The Tour Begins Friday
🏉 Rugby's Greatest Rivalry: New Zealand Tour of South Africa 2026
Why this tour is historic: This is the first time the All Blacks have toured South Africa for a full multi-match series since 1996, a 30-year gap that has made it one of the most anticipated tours in modern rugby history. The two nations have nine Rugby World Cup titles between them. The four-Test format is a deliberate callback to the traditional Lions-style tour format, and the neutral fourth Test in Baltimore is a landmark moment for the game's growth ahead of the 2031 Rugby World Cup to be held in the United States.
South Africa's unbeaten run: The Springboks have won 11 consecutive Tests and are the world's top-ranked team. They arrive into the series having sent a 26-man development squad to play Argentina on August 8, while their first-choice players prepare separately for the All Blacks. It is a remarkable display of squad depth.
LIPPY'S VIEW
It is telling that the Springbok side in Argentina for this upcoming weekend's test is being categorized as a "development" squad. With players like Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Sasha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Siya Kolisi on the side, it speaks to the ridiculous depth of talent that the Springboks are enjoying at the moment.
New Zealand's form: Dave Rennie's All Blacks are unbeaten in the Nations Championship July block. The provincial tour matches against the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls will be a genuine examination of squad depth for players on the fringes of the Test team.
The altitude factor: Tests 1 and 3 are at altitude in Johannesburg (1,753m above sea level). The All Blacks have historically found this challenging, winning only around 40 percent of Tests played at altitude in South Africa. Conditioning and timing of travel will be a key strategic variable.
The Baltimore Test: The fourth Test at M&T Bank Stadium is a genuinely new frontier for both nations. Rugby in the United States has been growing steadily, and this match is being positioned as a major commercial and cultural statement ahead of the 2031 World Cup.
LIPPY'S VIEW
I don't remember being as excited about an upcoming rugby tour. When I was a kid, I remember the All Blacks captained by Andy Leslie touring South Africa, and I still have visceral memories of the amazing battles of those legendary players. I think most rugby fans recognize that with South Africa having arguably one of the strongest sides in the history of the sport, and the All Blacks on a very encouraging rebuild, even though they are rebuilding from still being the number two team in the world, we are in for a remarkable eight weeks of rugby. This truly is one of the greatest rivalries in sport.
Around the Grounds: What the Pundits Are Saying
Albornoz charged by World Rugby: Argentina flyhalf Tomas Albornoz has been charged by World Rugby following the Nations Championship match against England, after remonstrating aggressively with referee Angus Gardner after the final whistle, with reports of physical contact. He was charged under the Match Official Abuse Sanction Process. The context: Argentina had a last-gasp try by Bautista Delguy disallowed in the final seconds, which would have leveled the match at 31-31. The frustration was understandable, but the conduct crossed a serious line. Albornoz faces a potential ban.
LIPPY'S VIEW
Even though I do think the ref missed the call at the end of the Pumas-England match, the response by Albornoz and the Argentine players and coaches has no place in our sport. After watching the soccer World Cup and the constant histrionics, arguing with the refs, and theatrical displays of fake injuries, we should be proud of how rugby has managed to keep that out. I believe that if, in soccer, they carded any player who argues with the ref, limited appeals only to the named captain, and also carded for diving and faking injuries, the sport would be a truly great display of athleticism. There is no place in rugby for that to creep in, and even if a call is bad, we have to keep the soccer hysterics out of the game.
Michael Cheika in frame for Waratahs role: Following Dan McKellar's resignation as Waratahs head coach, Michael Cheika has emerged as the frontrunner to return to the club where he won the Super Rugby title in 2014. Cheika spent the 2026 NRL season as an assistant at the Sydney Roosters. Both Joe Schmidt and Scott Wisemantel turned down the role. Cheika is the only coach to have won major club titles in both hemispheres: the Heineken Cup with Leinster in 2009 and Super Rugby with the Waratahs in 2014. His appointment would be a significant statement given the Waratahs' need to rebuild before the 2027 Rugby World Cup on home soil.
South Africa's one-off Test in Argentina: Before the All Blacks arrive, the Springboks play Argentina in Buenos Aires on August 8. Rassie Erasmus confirmed he is sending a 26-man development squad to Argentina, keeping 15 to 16 front-line Test players at home to prepare specifically for Rugby's Greatest Rivalry. Argentina will see it as a genuine opportunity: their last meeting was a 29-27 Springbok win in 2025.
The build-up in rugby media: The Breakdown NZ panel unanimously agreed the four-Test format is the most exciting rugby event since the 2023 World Cup final. RugbyPass Talking Rugby noted the altitude Tests at Ellis Park and FNB Stadium as the series' most critical variable, pointing to the historical record showing the All Blacks have won only around 40 percent of Tests at altitude in South Africa. Boks Unpacked focused on the provincial matches, arguing the All Blacks' performances against the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls will reveal their genuine depth ahead of Tests that will define both nations' Nations Championship ambitions in November.
Looking Ahead
Friday August 7: Rugby's Greatest Rivalry. All Blacks vs Stormers, Cape Town Stadium.
Saturday August 8: Argentina vs South Africa, Estadio José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires. Currie Cup Round 3: Griquas vs Cheetahs, Kimberley.
Tuesday August 11: All Blacks vs Sharks, Kings Park, Durban.
NPC Round 2 continues through the week.